For parents seeking to openly discuss critical health issues like AIDS, sex, and drug use with their children, this book offers guidance on making smart, healthy decisions.
A parent might reach for this book when they need a direct, factual resource to initiate a conversation with their teen about HIV/AIDS, sexual health, and substance use. Published in 1990, "Risky Times" provides a frank, question-and-answer format to explain the science of AIDS, methods of transmission, and strategies for prevention, including detailed discussions on condom use and abstinence. It strongly addresses the emotional challenges of this topic, focusing on navigating peer pressure, building self-confidence, and making responsible decisions. While some medical specifics are dated, the core message of empowerment through knowledge makes it a valuable tool for parents wanting to equip their 12 to 16-year-olds with foundational life-saving information.
Frank and direct discussion of intravenous drug use as a primary method of HIV transmission.
Romantic ContentModerate
Clinical and frank discussion of sexual activity, prevention methods, and condom use.
Cultural Content GapModerate
Medical information and social framing are from 1990 and require significant modern context.
Sensitive Topics
The book's approach to its subjects (sex, sexuality, intravenous drug use, disease, death) is extremely direct, clinical, and secular. It was written at the height of the AIDS epidemic in the U.S., so the tone carries an urgency and fear that reflects the era. The resolution it offers is one of empowerment through knowledge and responsible behavior. It is critical to note that medical information regarding prognosis and treatment is severely outdated; HIV is now a treatable chronic condition, not the immediate death sentence implied by 1990s-era materials.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is a teen, aged 13-16, who is beginning to ask questions about sexual health and STIs, or one who is already feeling social pressure to engage in risky behaviors. It is also for the curious teen who has heard about HIV/AIDS and wants clear, non-judgmental facts away from the misinformation they may encounter online or among peers.
Parent Prep
Parents MUST preview this book and be prepared to discuss its 1990 context. Specifically, they need to explain the monumental advances in HIV treatment (like antiretroviral therapy) that have occurred since publication. The prevention messages (especially about condoms and avoiding shared needles) remain valid, but the information about what it means to live with HIV has changed dramatically. This book cannot be read cold; it requires a contextualizing conversation with an adult. A parent has just overheard their teenager discussing sex or drugs with friends using incorrect or dangerous information. Or, a parent realizes their child is entering a new phase of social independence and wants to provide them with a foundational, fact-based resource for staying healthy before a problem arises.
Age Experience
A younger teen (12-13) will likely focus on the basic science and the clear rules for avoiding transmission. They may find the content scary but will grasp the core safety messages. An older teen (14-16) is better equipped to understand the nuances of peer pressure, consent, relationship dynamics, and the personal responsibility framework the book advocates. They can more easily separate the historical context from the still-relevant behavioral advice.
What Makes It Special
What makes this book unique today is its status as a historical artifact. It captures the specific tone and urgency of the AIDS crisis in 1990, providing a powerful lesson in public health history. Unlike modern guides, its straightforward, almost stark Q&A format, free from graphics and modern slang, offers a no-nonsense approach that some teens and parents may prefer. It focuses less on identity and more on universal principles of risk assessment and decision-making.
Read plot summary
This is a non-fiction guide for teenagers about the AIDS crisis. Using a question-and-answer format, it covers the biological facts of HIV and AIDS, how the virus is and is not transmitted, and detailed methods of prevention, including abstinence and correct condom use. The book also dedicates significant sections to the social and emotional aspects of the topic, such as navigating peer pressure related to sex and drugs, building self-esteem, making informed decisions, and developing compassion for people living with AIDS.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
This book was written in 1990. What are the biggest differences between how people talked about HIV/AIDS then and how we talk about it today? How have medical treatments changed the experience of living with HIV?
2
The author gives specific examples of lines to use when facing peer pressure. Which of these felt realistic to you, and which felt unrealistic for situations you might face today? What are some other ways to say 'no'?
3
The book emphasizes that you cannot get AIDS from casual contact like hugging or sharing a meal. Why was it so important for the author to make this clear at the time? How does stigma affect people with illnesses today?
4
A major theme is making smart decisions. The book offers a framework for thinking through choices. Can you apply that framework to a decision you have to make soon, even one unrelated to health?
