Customer comments on this selection.
 Insightful
I took Dr. Regnerus's class in the introduction to religion (a sociology course) when I read this book. I was shocked to learn about how ignorant and unintelligent these teenagers are, especially when you realize just how little they know actually about their religion. Interestingly enough, it inspired me to learn more about my religion.
As "obvious" as a previous reviewer may have thought the book was, I think they are terribly mistaken. Sure, we know some teens have sex and are religious, or have sex and are not religious, etc. but Regnerus does a great job of trying to understand why they chose what they chose. As an engineering major, it was important to me that it is also well-written and easy to follow.
 A Little Obvious
This book is for those people who have never been teenagers themselves or are so out of touch with the world that it really will not help them. Alternatively this book could be used by teenagers as a "how to guide" but as such it should be classified in the same section as "the idiot's guide to sex."
While Regnerus puts out some interesting points most of it is well known or obvious. Of course the people who claim to be strongly religious are more likely to do the wrong thing, anyone can see that (this is especially well illustrated in Dante's Inferno).
Regnerus does satisfactorily put forth the notion that the religious parents and priests have failed at their mission of teens not having sex. He does not, however, assess the impact of sexual education in conjunction with religious beliefs as well as he should. Some things are just not satisfactorily explained, though perhaps with the degredation of morality now-a-days those things cannot be explained other than by peer pressure.
Crucial Reading for those Concerned w/Teenagers
Regnerus makes a huge contribution in this book to our understanding of religion and sex in the lives of American youth. Forbidden Fruit is built on solid social science research and is highly informative and challenging. I recommend it to anyone who has, works with, or cares about teenagers.
This book is a must-read for religious leaders, educators, and parents
Forbidden Fruit asks questions about the connection between religion and sex among American teenagers, and the answers Regnerus finds are neither simple nor straightforward. In fact, the author concludes that simple and straightforward answers to questions about sex (like, avoid sex before you're married) have largely fallen flat among American teens, Christians included. There's new material on emerging sexual norms, masturbation, homosexuality, virginity loss, post-virginity sexual decision-making, etc. For these reasons, I think the book could be considered as a standard in the study of adolescent sexual behavior, independent of its illustrative emphasis on religion.
Forbidden Fruit is broad in its analyses of nationally representative survey data and rich in its conversations with real people. The writing is clear, crisp, and engaging, and should appeal to parents and educators alike. It's also fun to read but avoids a frivolous or overly playful tenor. There are many refreshing turns of phrase in the presentation of arguments that make this book enjoyable. In sum, the author talks about serious matters in a disarming way, one that is respectful to religious traditions, and doesn't lend itself to easy politicization or demonizing. The stories about evangelical youth (who seem sexually "traditional" in word more than in deed) and the emergence of a "conservative" middle class sexual morality that has little to do with religion are fascinating. I think the author is right: most religious groups in America don't know how to address adolescent sexuality; in turn they hold out no compelling vision for their teens in how to be both devout and sexual. In sum, it's an outstanding contribution.
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