Big W has been forced to remove a sex education book from its shelves due to intense criticism and staff abuse claims. The book, “Welcome to Sex: our no-silly-questions guide to sexuality, pleasure and figuring it out”, written by Yumi Stynes and Dr Melissa Kang, has been claimed to be inappropriate for young kids.
‘Grooming our children’
The book is billed as an age-appropriate introductory guide to sex and sexuality for teens of all genders. Co-author Yumi Stynes states that the book was for 10-15-year-olds but she is happy for mature 8-year-olds to have a flick though.
The controversial book has caused some serious commotion online and in-store with disgruntled parents furious at the graphic content.
The book includes information on anal sex, masturbation and oral sex, among several other sexual acts, with pictures to accompany the text. It also focuses on topics such as gender identity, hand jobs, porn and scissoring.
Many believe the book is being marketed to children way too young and that it’s introducing them to these concepts before they are ready.
The book first started to garnish negative feedback on an Instagram video from podcast host Chris Primod showing some of the book’s pages that went viral. The host claimed the book was “grooming our children, exposing them to sexually explicit and highly inappropriate material”.
Another one of the most vocal of those who do not approve of the book is Rachael Wong, chief executive of Women’s Forum Australia.
“Why is Big W selling this GRAPHIC SEX GUIDE FOR KIDS in Aus which includes how-tos for anal/oral sex, masturbation & heavily pushes gender ideology?” Rachael Wong wrote on Twitter, sharing the video.
She told 2GB’s Ben Fordham Live on Tuesday she “felt physically ill at the thought of children reading it”, describing it as a “graphic sex guide for children”.
Sex education book leads to staff abuse
Recently disgruntled readers have also voiced their opinions in store with Big W confirming staff in its stores have been abused over the book.
On Tuesday evening, a Big W spokesperson told news.com.au it will stop selling the book in physical stores after “multiple incidents of abuse” aimed at staff.
“BIG W will continue to sell the parenting book, ‘Welcome to Sex’ as part of our Parenting range,” the spokesperson said.
“We know there has been a wide range of views about the book, however it’s disappointing that there have been multiple incidents of abuse directed at our store team members in the past 24 hours. To keep our team and customers safe, the book will be available to customers online only from later today.”
While you can still purchase the sex book online, review comments on the website have also been switched off to avoid further issues.
Book designed as an alternative to Google
Co-author of the sex education book, Yumi Stynes has always marketed the book as being deliberately frank. While the audience is young, she explains that it’s not to “teach” them, but rather to act as a reliable source that curious children can go to rather than the not-so-safe internet.
“I like to think of it as a bit like the book L-platers read before hitting the road,” she wrote on Instagram. “It is a book for young ones who aren’t necessarily practising any partnered sexual activities but who are curious enough to Google – and whose parents would prefer this early (and influential!) info come from legitimate and researched sources who understand exactly who their audience is — rather than the unbounded limitlessness of the internet.
“YES, it’s frank, and YES, it talks about stuff that parents might find embarrassing. Research shows that kids don’t necessarily want to talk about sex with their parents. It’s common. But parents? I hope this is a reassuring resource that you can slap down on your kid’s desk feeling confident that this info is setting them up for safer, happier lives.”
While the negative criticism continues to roll in, many support Yumi and her frank approach to sex.
“Will be adding this to the resource pile. Strongly believe I’m talk early, talk often & openly approach,” a follower of Stynes said of the book.
Another wrote,
“Congratulations! This is incredible. As a teacher, I am very much looking forward to purchasing this book to have a look through & recommend to parents.”
Yumi Stynes is also the author of several other “Welcome” books for teens including Welcome to Your Period, Welcome to Consent and Welcome to Your Boobs.
This isn’t the first time a sex education book has sparked serious concern. The Amazing True Story of How Babies Are Made first sold through Kmart was also heavily criticised due to its graphic nature and images.
Ironically, you can now buy this book, by author Fiona Katauskas through Big W.
