Growing Up Gracefully By Sumita Bose- A Guide book for the young generation
Growing Up Gracefully By Sumita Bose- A Guide book for the young generation
Sex- the word itself makes anyone feel embarrassed or uneasy even today when we call ourselves highly educated and modern. But sex education is now the need of the hour keeping in mind the number of cases getting reported of sexual abuse, rape, and bullying across the globe. Even today, the number of reported cases is much below the actual number of cases.
Child rapes and sexual bullying are now the maximum. Sadly, the majority of such cases were found to be sexually abused by someone very known to them, and they failed to alert the parents. What can we do to help our younger generation grow up gracefully with timely identification and reporting of sexual harassment to parents? sex education is the only way that can prove beneficial for our younger generations’ future.
We need to be positive about our views and opinions about sex education. Sumita Bose, as an author, is not new to me. I read most of her books, and each one is a gem. This time, she came up with another important subject in her book, and that is sex education. Growing Up Gracefully – A Girl’s Guide to sex education is a book that author Sumita Bose penned to educate young girls about sex.
What does this book offer?
The book is divided into 9 broad chapters in addition to a glossary and some interesting facts. Each chapter talks about a specific subject of sex. The 1st chapter titled GENDER and SEX… talks about the difference between sex and gender, role identification, and the factors that help in determining sexual orientation. The 2nd chapter talks about puberty which talks about the bodily developments that happen for a girl and what are the reasons behind the same. 3rd chapter is dedicated to Breast development and talks about the causes behind the growth of breasts when and what size of bra one should wear and various other aspects surrounding breast development. Coming to the 4th chapter talks about the Reproductive system, which is indeed a vital topic to discuss with young adults.
The 5th chapter is on mensuration. It discusses the myths about periods and also about the hygiene and sanitary products we use on these days of the month. 6th chapter is on feelings and love. The chapter is dedicated to discussing causes of attraction, characteristics of love and emotion, and ways to identify if one is in love or not. The 7th chapter is on personal grooming and why it is important. Where and how to report sexual offenses and abuse is also mentioned in this chapter. Teenage pregnancy is the dedicated topic for chapter 8. It talks at length about dating, hanging out, the urge for sexual relations in adolescence, and much more. The 9th chapter is one of the most important ones in this book and talks about internet safety. It talks about the digital footprint, pornography, IT threats, and also etiquette of using the internet. Every chapter ends with an activity to help you understand the level of learning on the topic.
What did I like about the book?
A. The style of explaining such a serious topic with so much simplicity I found as the key USP of this book
B. The information that is shared in this book will help girls understand the subject with grace and easiness
C. The activities segment of each chapter in the book is my favorite. It will help in an even better understanding of the subject
D. Another key chapter in this book is Amazing Facts. Many things are well described in this chapter. I loved it
E. The glossary section is one of the best segments of the book which will clear the real meaning of the many medical and physical terms.
Who should read the book?
For sure the book is a guidebook for the girls to grow up gracefully, and so they are the ones who should read it. I don’t have a daughter but a son, as a parent, I wish to make my son read this book once he attains a decent age. When future men of the nation understand future women and respect them, it will be safer and more supportive surrounding for females. Even parents of young girls should also read it, and sex education is a must in today’s time.
Final verdict
I strongly recommend this book for all to read. It is a must-read book for girls and boys to ensure the future is better for them. I give it a rating of 5 out of 5.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.
Thanks for the recommendation. A much-needed book for today’s generation
I agree, we need more books that talk about sex education. The cover caught my eye and it’s good to know that the author has touched upon all matters in a fluid and concise manner. Certainly,what we need to keep on our bookshelves at home.
What a lovely book you’ve shared. I grew up not having this kind of conversation with my parents as they are the traditional and the topic just seems like a taboo. With 2 girls now, I can’t help not try to gear up with whatever it takes and do research on the best way to educate them. With how crazy the world is nowadays, there’s no way I’m gonna let my girls just go around without them not having any lecture (haha) about this topic. This book is one great way to start the conversation!
These kind of books we need more. To educate parents specially and grown up too.I have been grown up without discussing all of this. And now I am discussing everything with my daughter and we watch as much as possible to enhance her and my knowledge too.
Wow Samata,thank you so much for suggesting this book. As parents, we often find it challenging to discuss certain topics with our kids. This book seems like a helpful resource, making it easier for us to explain things in a way they can understand. I’ll check where I can get it in Oman or ask someone from India to bring it for me.
Sex education is very important in the current times. Kids have access to so much information but they need the correct one. This book sounds like the right one for them. We also should make them comfortable to talk to us about such topics.
Quite a lovely title for such an important book. Thank you for sharing about it, Samata. Equally necessary for parents and young girls. It is high time we included sex education in the curriculum too.
Thank you for sharing this Samata.I have two girls… a teen and a tween so I need it more than anyone else😀. The movie OMG2 is about sex education as well and although I can’t imagine my mother’s generation relating to it or liking it, I think it is absolutely necessary in this age.
This seems to be the best book for both men and women to build a better society where both live in harmony without fears and insecurities.
Your review of “Growing Up Gracefully” is spot-on! Your thoughtful analysis captures the book’s essence, highlighting its relevance for today’s youth. I appreciate your insights, and the review solidified my decision to pick up this insightful guidebook.
Ur right sex education is very important now a days with the kind of crimes going on. Even today inspite of so much modernization the word sex can lift up an eyebrow.
I loved the concept of this book. I will surely read it and will also share the name of the book with my friends for their own reading purposes as well as for their kids to read and understand about our body properly.
It’s great that your review highlights the importance of sex education in addressing issues like abuse and bullying. The book’s organization into chapters on various aspects of sex education seems comprehensive and approachable. The positive aspects noted, such as the simple explanation style, informative content, and engaging activities, make it a valuable resource. The recommendation for both girls and boys, along with parents, underscores the book’s relevance in fostering understanding and respect. A perfect 5 out of 5 rating speaks to its significance.
The breakdown of the book’s chapters, covering various aspects of sex education, seems thorough. It’s great to see the inclusion of important subjects like puberty, reproductive system, and internet safety, providing a comprehensive guide.
Beautiful book if the parent can break it down and explain the child before giving to read. As many teens might not be open to it when it comes from their elders. Meanwhile, this book is very informative and enlightening for the child.
Sounds like a must-read!