A Gift for All Ages
A Family Handbook on Sexuality
by
Reviewed by
Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD
A Gift for All Ages by Clifford and Joyce Penner is a comprehensive family handbook on sexuality that provides a developmental approach to understanding human sexuality from birth through old age. The authors, both experts in their fields, aim to help the Christian community embrace sexuality as a natural and positive aspect of life. They discuss various stages of sexual development and offer practical advice for families to talk openly and positively about sexuality. The book is designed to be a helpful resource for parents, educators, and anyone interested in promoting healthy sexual attitudes and behaviors.
The Penners present a specific Christian approach that is generally consistent with an evangelical worldview. For example, their views on contraception are different from Catholic teaching and their views on motherhood and same sex relationships (their term is homosexuality) are not those of progressive Christians.
I have included a few topics relevant to contemporary discussions of human sexuality.
Childlessness
The Penners address childlessness in chapter 4. They present having children as a “natural stage in our development” and opine that “the inability to produce children as a deep and cutting impact on our self-esteem.” In this context, they note two purposes of sex: Procreation and pleasure. Additionally, the Penners refer to the stigma associated with childlessness found in the Old Testament.
The chapter on childlessness also reflects a conservative view on parenthood.
“We complete our manhood by fathering a child. Motherhood is the most total expression of a woman’s femininity.” … Children validate marriage. P. 46
The Penners note a parent’s search for causes when they cannot have children. In this context, they refer to possible feelings of guilt, which help us understand their view of sinful sex as noted in the following quote.
“We may blame past-guilt-producing behaviors such as masturbation, premarital sex, abortion, extramarital affairs, or homosexual preoccupation.” (p. 48)
Sexual Identity
Sexual identity is addressed in chapter 7. The section begins with a question Christian parents might ask: “What can we as parents do to ensure that our child will grow up with a clear sense of being a man or a woman?” (p. 96) They offer traditional assumptions on pages 96 to 97 quoted below.
With the Bible’s condemnation of homosexuality, society’s deep hesitancy and discomfort with it, and the painful, never-satisfied quality so often present in the homosexual’s life, it is important that we as parents do all we can to help our children make a positive connection with who they are as male and female. (pp. 96-97)
Sex Education
Sex education is a topic of concern for many Christian parents. The Penners provide a fairly detailed outline regarding the contents of a sex education program including a section on Christian values in chapter 12, which are generally consistent with those of evangelical Christians. They refer to the reduction of adolescent sexual intercourse as the “ultimate goal” and not two related concerns: “out-of-wedlock pregnancy” and “for sure, abortions.” (p. 140).
Single Christians
The Penners affirm that people are sexual beings and there will be times of frustration for Christian singles. The subject is addressed in chapter 13, which is the only chapter in part IV. In this context, they opine that singles having sex “live with dissonance between their beliefs and their behavior” (p. 163). Their context is the general Christian view: “The Bible is very clear that sex is for marriage.” (p. 163)
Comments A Gift for All Ages
The Penners present a specific Christian approach that is generally consistent with an evangelical worldview especially in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s. For example, their views on contraception are not compatible with Catholic teaching, which opposes the use of artificial contraceptives. Additionally, their views on parenthood and same sex relationships (their term is homosexuality) are not those of progressive Christians. Conservative Christians will find the answers to many questions they may have regarding human sexuality throughout the lifespan. Readers who do not share their views will find examples of positions held by conservative American Christians when their book was in press. Because some people change their views, interested readers should consult more recent sources.
*****
About the Penners
Clifford and Joyce Penner are renowned experts in the field of human sexuality, with a particular focus on integrating faith and sexuality. Clifford Penner is a licensed clinical psychologist with a B.A. from Bethel College, an M.A. in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Fuller’s Graduate School of Psychology. Joyce Penner is a registered nurse and clinical nurse specialist, holding a B.S. in nursing from the University of Washington and an M.A. in psychosomatic nursing and nursing education from UCLA.
Together, they have dedicated their careers to helping individuals and couples embrace sexuality as a natural and positive aspect of life. They have worked as therapists, educators, and lecturers, and have authored several books and resources on healthy sexuality. Their work aims to promote open and positive conversations about sexuality within the Christian community and beyond.
Book Reference
Penner, C., & Penner, J. (1986). A Gift for All Ages. Word Books. (AMAZON)
The authors have several books on sex listed on AMAZON.
**********
Related Book Reviews
Sexuality: Christian or Biblical
A House Divided by Sutton
Authentic Human Sexuality by Balswick & Balswick
Christian Morality by Sutton and Schmidly
Gender Identity and Faith by Yarhouse & Sadusky
God and Sex by Coogan
Sex God by Bell
Sex Texts by Hornsby
The Great Sex Rescue by Gregoire et al.
Unprotected Texts by Knust
**********
Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD is Emeritus Professor of Psychology. He retired from a clinical practice and was credentialed in clinical neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. His website is www.suttong.com
See Geoffrey Sutton’s books on AMAZON or GOOGLE STORE
Follow on FACEBOOK Geoff W. Sutton
You can read many published articles at no charge:
Academia Geoff W Sutton ResearchGate Geoffrey W Sutton
Comments
Post a Comment