The toughest, most complex issues for a minister often involve sexuality. Strong emotional drives can easily alter one's reasoning, making it difficult to sort out needs, desires, and even know right from wrong. Ma/at offers direct, open dialogue on a variety of subjects related to human sexuality. I found her question-and-answer style straight forward and informative.
The author organizes her questions into six major categories. The first has to do with communicating with children about their sexual development. She offers helpful suggestions as well as dealing with such difficult topics as masturbation and incest. The second chapter discusses questions teenagers ask, such as "How far can I go when I'm in love?'' The third chapter deals with issues unique to unmarried adults concerned about "compatibility" before committing themselves to marriage. The fourth chapter deals with sexual expression in marriage and focuses on harmonizing the differences in sexual performance. Mazat next deals with the midlife years and finally discusses sexual desires and needs of retirement-age couples.
Mazat has given us one of the best books now available on sexuality writ ten from a Christian perspective. The book invites open and tasteful discussion. The book helps identify and deal with sexual problems before they be come destructive to a relationship. Parents should buy it for ideas to share with their children; adults should buy it to facilitate communication and under standing. The book can also help identify extreme dysfunctional problems that need professional counseling.
I find the "Dear Abby" style of writing a shortcoming, as it seems to expect me to trust the author's advice. But Mazat, a trained and well-experienced marriage and family therapist specializing in sexuality, has the expertise to write on this subject. I find her answers consistent with medical, psychological, and spiritual principles.
I believe pastors definitely need to buy this book. They can recommend it to their membership with the assurance that it will be helpful and reliable in addressing sexual issues.
