Author: Michael J. Domitriz

ISBN: 0972928200

 

 

The following review was contributed by:  Kate Andronov: Communications student  

May I Kiss You? A Candid Look at Dating, Communication, Respect, and Sexual Assault Awareness by Michael Domitriz, and award-winning speaker and educator, presents teenagers of both genders with an informational and practical guide to dating behavior, relationships, sexual conduct, and sexual assault awareness.

The book is written in a conversational tone, easy and accessible to teenagers’ understanding. It also provides practical exercises and scenarios for each section that help readers see the concepts applied in real life.

The book’s focus is on preventing sexual assault on dates by challenging a typical male’s approach to dating, and encouraging both genders to adopt a new perspective on dating situations.

Domitriz emphasizes the importance of communication, and urges teenagers to stop and talk to their partner before making any action of advance on a date, regardless of however harmless it may seem, right down to asking permission before a kiss. He also addresses the misconceptions of typical dating scenarios, and the possible consequences of misunderstanding between the partners.

Some of the issues raised in the book scenarios are misreading of ‘looks’ and body language, the reality of gender relations in contrast to the popular conceptions of it, and the real definitions of sexual assault.

Domitriz also encourages teens to take a proactive stance and contribute to social change through suggested exercises, such as creating a poster teaching people how sexual assault affects everyone.
It is an excellent resource for teachers and educators, as well as for parents, to help address topics of sexual assault and discuss such themes with teenagers.

The downside of the book, though, lies in the fact that the language seems to directly address a narrow part of the audience – teenage boys, who are assumed to be the likely perpetuators of dating advances; however, though it would be excellent material for teens to read, judging from the overall presentation and manner of the book, it seems that the average teenage male may not necessarily be motivated to pick it up and read independently. Therefore, it seems that the best way to present this book to teens, especially boys, would be through mutual conversation and guidance of educators or parents.