Two Stars

Teens talk -- and talk-- about sex. And that's what's a little offputting about this segment from Sara Perman.

The 9:20 module meanders. It's a well-spoken journey -- these media-savvy teens are good talkers. But actualities seem to bank off one another without speaking to the 3-5 centering, and sequenced, points a piece of this length needs.

Granted, we can identify two larger themes -- how teens learn about sex from the media and how that affects the sex ed they need from schools and parents. But smaller ideas in logical, linked steps are needed.

Sara is a good mediator into the world of teen sexuality. Could we ask her to make a firmer decision about how much she wants to insert herself and her experiences?

As it stands now,
the first-person anecdotes that bookend the piece are too brief for establishing a real relationship with Sara. Perhaps that would change if Sarah used2 or 3 lines of anecdote or reflection to frame each idea she develops.

Programmers may find the segment's unusual length a bit difficult. But something like this could work for introducing, say, an hour call-in special on teen sexuality -- or as background listening to prepare.

Anthea Raymond
PRX Editorial Board
May 19, 2006