Peggy Orenstein's Boys & Sex delves into contemporary male sexual experiences and attitudes, offering valuable insights. Critical acclaim highlights its candid interviews and nuanced discussion. However, some suggest it lacks diversity in perspectives and depth in exploring potential solutions. Overall, it's a crucial contribution to understanding modern male sexuality.

Ideal readers for Peggy Orenstein’s Boys & Sex are parents, educators, and those interested in adolescent development and gender studies. If you appreciated books like Girlhood by Melissa Febos or Missoula by Jon Krakauer, you would likely find Orenstein’s insightful exploration of masculinity and sexuality engaging.

Boys & Sex by Peggy Orenstein explores modern masculinity and its relationship to sexuality, based on numerous interviews with young men of diverse backgrounds. The book delves into the impact of pornography, hookup culture, and toxic masculinity on sexual and emotional intimacy, including key issues of consent and gendered racism. Orenstein examines how emotional validation can help boys develop into compassionate adults. This work discusses sexual assault and issues surrounding sexual consent.

Informative / Challenging / Emotional / Unnerving / Contemplative

- Peggy Orenstein is known for her insightful exploration of gender and sexuality issues, but with Boys & Sex, she focuses specifically on the often less-discussed perspectives and experiences of young men.
- Orenstein's research for Boys & Sex includes interviewing young men across diverse backgrounds, providing a broad spectrum of viewpoints and experiences related to masculinity and sexual culture.
- The book delves into the impact of social media and digital communication on modern dating and sexual relationships, reflecting contemporary challenges faced by young people today.

**Peggy Orenstein**  
An award-winning journalist and author who explores modern masculinity by interviewing over a hundred teenage boys, providing insight into male views on sexuality.  

**Adam**  
A gay college sophomore in San Francisco who shares his experiences of living openly and the challenges he faced in hiding his sexual orientation.  

**Xavier**  
A thoughtful African American college student grappling with expectations of sex and intimacy, as well as the complexities of being part of an underrepresented group at his college.  

**Cole**  
A college athlete who embodies the white male jock stereotype but feels constrained by societal expectations to conform to this identity.  

**Ethan**  
A college freshman and lacrosse player who rejects the bro culture of locker rooms, choosing to transfer schools to align his environment with his principles.  

**Devon**  
A trans man and college swimmer who navigates his transition and experiences in a male locker room, aiming for healthy and consensual sexual communication.  

**Mateo**  
A Latinx gay man who struggles to fit into hyper-masculine norms, dealing with the pressure of scholarship status at a private school and the challenges of identity expression.  

**Sameer**  
A college student who becomes an advocate for affirmative consent after engaging in a restorative justice process following a non-consensual encounter.

Peggy Orenstein

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Overview

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Boys & Sex Summary and Study Guide

Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Introduction

Boys & Sex Introduction Summary & Analysis

Chapter 1 Boys & Sex Chapter 1 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 2 Boys & Sex Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 3 Boys & Sex Chapter 3  Summary & Analysis

Chapter 4 Boys & Sex Chapter 4 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 5 Boys & Sex Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 6 Boys & Sex Chapter 6 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 7 Boys & Sex Chapter 7 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 8 Boys & Sex Chapter 8 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 9 Boys & Sex Chapter 9 Summary & Analysis

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Key Figures

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Themes

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Index of Terms

Boys & Sex Index of Terms

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Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

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Boys & Sex: Young Men on Hookups, Love, Porn, Consent, and Navigating the New Masculinity

Before You Read

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Who Should Read Boys & Sex?

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