Parents fuming over 'graphic' sex book for kids being sold at Big W
“Why is Big W selling this GRAPHIC SEX GUIDE FOR KIDS in Aus which includes how-tos for anal/oral sex, masturbation, and heavily pushes gender ideology?," one critic asked.
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A “graphic” sex book targeted at children as young as eight has caused outrage after being spotted on the shelves of Big W.
The book, Welcome to Sex: Your no-silly-questions guide to sexuality, pleasure and figuring it out, was written by Dr Melissa Kang and Yumi Stynes and released in May.
It is billed as a “frank, age-appropriate introductory guide to sex and sexuality for teens of all genders”.
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News.com.aureports the Woolworths-owned department store came under fire after a viral Instagram video from podcast host Chris Primod showed some of the book’s pages.
Rachael Wong, chief executive of Women’s Forum Australia, criticised the book on Twitter.
“Why is Big W selling this GRAPHIC SEX GUIDE FOR KIDS in Aus which includes how-tos for anal/oral sex, masturbation, and heavily pushes gender ideology?,” she wrote.
“Co-author (Yumi Stynes) says the book is for 10-15, but she’d ‘be happy with a mature 8-year-old having a flick through’.”
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"They have no right to interfere with parental rights"
News.com.au reports the book has detailed explanations on oral sex, fingering, anal sex, scissoring, hand jobs, pornography, sexuality and gender identity.
Reviews for the product on Big W’s website have been turned off after it was bombarded with negative feedback, prompting a response from the retailer defending the book as “educational, age-appropriate and inclusive”.
Many parents and social media users branded the book as “disgraceful”.
“They have no right to interfere with parental rights, nor to indoctrinate children,” one person wrote.
“Shamelessly destroying young lives. It would be a crime in any civilised society. Sadly, there aren’t any of those anymore,” another person complained.
Other people suggested the book was attempting to “sexualise” children.
“I’ve seen kids on their own perusing the book section in Big W,” one person wrote. “Younger kids could easily ‘have a flick through’ this book.
“Why do they want to sexualise children? It doesn’t take Einstein to figure that one out.”
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'If we're not giving them that information, they're going to go looking for it"
Yumi Stynes told The Juggling Act podcast earlier this month the book was intended as an alternative source of sex education for curious young people who knew how to use Google.
“The thing that’s come up since the release of the book is that the alternative to sex education is porn,” the podcaster and author said.
“If we’re not giving them the information and having those conversations, they’re going to go looking for it, and what they’ll find is porn.
“A lot of porn considered mainstream is quite abusive. There’s a lot of practices in there I wouldn’t want done to my body, the way they’re being touched isn’t very considerate or skilful, it’s just rough and yuck.
“If that’s their only information, I’d much rather them have a safe conversation with mum.”
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"They need someone they can trust"
Yumi said it was key for parents to treat sex-education in a completely non-judgmental way.
“They need someone who they can trust who is non-judgmental,” she said.
“If they come to you and say ‘mum, I showed a boy at school my fanny today,’ they don’t want you to hit the roof and call the school. They need you to talk them through what happened, and be cool and understanding.
“You can decide what your reaction is after that, but they need you to be calm and safe for them.”
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"Parents can make their own decisions on what is appropriate"
A spokesperson for Big W defended the retailer’s decision to stock the product, disputing claims the book was inappropriate for children.
“Big W has a wide range of books and products that represent a diverse Australian community,” the spokesperson told News.com.au.
“Welcome to Sex is an educational, age-appropriate and inclusive book featuring content from adolescent health experts that matches the development and early experiences of teens aged 12-15. It is shelved in parenting in our books section so parents can make their own decisions on what is appropriate for their family.”
Yumi Stynes and Hardie Grant Publishing have been contacted for comment.
- With Brooke Rolfe.
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