A Case for Including Sex in YA Books: via Teen Librarian Toolbox

While I was at ALA Annual, I got this great advice from Library Media Specialist Shelly McNerney:

Being called a groomer and a pedophile is very scary. There is usually no support from the school or admin when a parent challenges a teen book with, for example, anal sex. First thing she says to do is admit you need help and are uncomfortable even with  how to defend titles. We live in a society that doesn't talk about sex at all, let alone gay sex. She reached out to a sex therapist and works with her regularly to help her articulate to those who want to ban books for being "sexually explicit." She can now use research and science-- things that do make her comfortable to use as a librarian when making an argument-- to explain why this is not explicit but providing accurate portrayals of sex between two men. She is no longer afraid of being obscene because she has facts and research on her side. She thinks every library should have training from a sex therapist now.

That quote is from my write up of the panel McNerney appeared on. While that was a part of my favorite panel from ALA Annual, this one point is something I have thought about a lot. 

I am the parent of two teenagers [well, actually last week my older teen turned 20]. We are also a medical  family. Sex, sex education, etc...were discussed freely in our home. My husband, a family doctor,  never used euphemisms for any body parts with our children, from the youngest age.  As a result, we also never worried about them being exposed to sexual situations in what they read. None of it was a surprise to them and if it was, they knew they could ask us. 

But explaining to others is different. My husband can do it, does it all the time, but he would not be there with me at work when it came up.  I loved this idea from McNerney. But not every library will allow their staff to hire a sex therapist. But, Teen Librarian Toolbox, my go to Teen RA resource is also here to help. 

"Let's Talk About Sex, Baby, A Case for Including Sex in YA Posts," is a guest post on TLT by author  Anna Gracia. This is a great article you can use to defend your collections, immediately.  It is specific, clear, and honest. 

Please click through and read it. Print it out and post it at the service desks for people to use when challenged. Bookmark it to have the url ready to share with others.

And thanks to TLT for yet another helpful post.