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Original poster

Books about puberty - do any not buy into the gender woo?

34 replies

FraterculaArctica · 30/04/2024 08:55

Eldest DC is at the age I want to buy him a "growing up" book. He hasn't asked many questions about puberty/sex/relationships so far so I need to take some initiative here.

Can anyone recommend any books that cover this without buying into the gender woo, but still published more recently than the Dark Ages?

OP posts:
Peonies12 · 30/04/2024 18:57

Why not have a conversation instead. He will work out the “facts” soon enough for himself, not your hateful mindset.

Xiaoxiong · 30/04/2024 18:53

Oooh well - if you want to get into the PSHE stuff, I'm in the thick of it at the moment at our school and have managed to get them to open a consultation on our PSHE policy. Remember that you as a parent have a right to see everything they're teaching, including lesson plans (they might not email these to you but you have a right to view them in school if you set up a meeting). There is tonnes of info on https://safeschoolsallianceuk.net/schools-resources-and-policies/ and https://sex-matters.org/take-action/school-check/

It's been amazing to see that when just one person speaks up, loads of others do as well!

Schools resources & policies - Safe Schools Alliance UK

Many schools' PSHE resources come from gender ideology lobby groups. This guide supports parents in countering incorrect information..

https://safeschoolsallianceuk.net/schools-resources-and-policies

Original poster
FraterculaArctica · 30/04/2024 17:11

Great, I'm glad to hear it may not be a totally lost cause. I am not sure exactly what they will be telling them in PSHCE this year but keen to get something that sticks to the biological facts to counteract that!

OP posts:
Xiaoxiong · 30/04/2024 17:07

From my MIL I pinched the Usborne books from the 90s that DH had when he was a kid - "Growing up" and "Facts of life". They are biologically factual and straightforward and inclusive of gay, lesbian and bisexual relationships too. A nice side effect is the illustrations with plenty of women with short hair, men with long hair and earrings. The cover is a woman with short hair, jeans and a baggy vest over a button down shirt, lots of GNC characters inside the book as well which I appreciate.

WellExactly2 · 30/04/2024 14:49

I was about to start a similar thread asking for recommendations for books suitable for a 5 year old about the body and also how babies are made - any suggestions? Sorry to hijack

AutumnCrow · 30/04/2024 13:46

I've got a couple from around 2010(ish). I'll have a look for them and link them here.

I'd be happy to pass them on if they're out of print or (ahem) amended. We could pass them from family to family like sacred texts in mediaeval times.

Actually fuck that we should openly publish our own.

yarnwitch · 30/04/2024 13:40

I also recommend the 'What's happening to me?' books.
I went into Waterstones and read through them all when looking for my DD. It was the only one I felt was suitable and appropriate, some of them were awful.

Original poster
FraterculaArctica · 30/04/2024 13:03

Thank you so much!

OP posts: