A review of "Becoming a Woman" by Valerie Vance Dillon; "Becoming a Man" by William J. Bausch

Abstract

The Christian view of sexuality is a wholesome one, yet many people perceive it to be negative and oppressive. How often we hear people speak on radio or television about their being 'liberated' from the strict Catholic upbringing of their youth. These people are not all cranks. A past emphasis on sin and failure in sexual matters left many good Chris tians with a fear of their own sexuality. This fear generated scruples and unnecessary worries. All of this is not just a past phenomenon: the negative way in which way some Church teaching is presented can still cause some conscientious Christians unnecessary anxiety. Many Church people still give the impression of not being at ease when discussing sex uality. The scars of past preaching and teaching are still with us, but now the task is to convince an increasingly sceptical audience that the Christian notion of sexuality is both positive and life-enriching, not just a list of negative rules and regulations. So any resources which can help us are very welcome. The two books reviewed provide basic informa tion, guidance and attitudes on sex for teenagers. Both authors talk of young people about their sexuality in terms that are credible, down to-earth and faithful to the best of Catholic teaching.