Birds And Bees In The 90s; If You Can Talk To Your Kids About Sex, You Can Talk To Them About Anything; What About Sex?

With AIDS having become one of the most prominent facts of life, it's important for young adults, in particular, to receive comprehensive and correct information. Teens and sex is the subject of three new video releases. Birds and Bees in the 90s opens with a somewhat disorienting scene as "Judy" sits astride "Jack" on the couch in a heavy breathing session. Though the couple are fully clothed, it's a strange way to open a program. Soon, Jack and Judy are interrupted by a woman on the television set who begins talking to them about the "facts." These "facts" alternate with fairly ludicrous skits and interview clips with young adults. In one skit a dating couple talks about getting a "blood test," but the program fails to mention that this is an HIV test. Later on, the HIV test is described as "pretty scary" and "almost always a relief," but the program doesn't mention that it consists of a blood test. Although the tape does provide the standard litany of definitions as to how the HIV virus is transmitted, who is at risk, and what preventative measures are available, the weird skits and sketchy information make this an unsuitable choice (Note: The Safer Sex Fact Book, included with the video, offers much more information, and is obviously meant to be used as a follow-up to watching the video, but there's no guarantee that a viewer will read the booklet.) If You Can Talk To Your Kids About Sex, You Can Talk To Them About Anything and What About Sex? are both hosted by NYC high school sex education teacher Lennie Roseman. The first of these, which is also the better of the two, is aimed at adults, and is drawn from a seminar that Roseman conducted with parents. Bemoaning the lack of communication between parents and their children, Roseman explores various ways to reach children, including a discussion of values and how they change, being an "askable" and "non-judgmental" parent, avoiding conversation killer statements, and finding teachable moments. In addition, Roseman points out parent's rights and offers general guidelines for speaking with kids on the subject of sex. In What About Sex? (the 1992 revised edition), Roseman talks to a group of teens. The kids are forthcoming about various myths they hold concerning human sexuality, and Roseman puts them back on track. Roseman offers a very good explanation of the multiple components that make up a "decision" (information, feelings, pressure, etc.), and then talks about the twin risks of sex: AIDS and pregnancy. Although some material from the other program is included in this one, the two are fundamentally different in both content and intended audience. Birds and Bees in the 90s is not recommended. If You Can Talk To Your Kids About Sex, You Can Talk To Them About Anything is highly recommended, and What About Sex? is recommended. (Birds and Bees in the 90s is available from: Motion Media Productions, 4005 Millcreek Drive, Annandale, VA 22003; (800) 398-3044.) (If You Can Talk To Your Kids About Sex, You Can Talk To Them About Anything and What About Sex? are available from: East West Media, P.O. Box 3430, Central Point, OR 97502; (800) 858-9540.)