The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perrotta - Book Club Discussion Questions

Tom Perrotta once again focuses his observant eye and listening ear to white suburbia in The Abstinence Teacher. Here the conflict is between Ruth Ramsay, a high school sex education teacher who is seeing her curriculum tightened and restrained by a surge of born-again Christian outcry, and Tim Mason, her daughter’s soccer coach who has the team join him in prayer after a game to the chagrin of disapproving parents.

Spoiler Warning: These book club discussion questions reveal details about The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perrotta. Finish the book before reading on.

1. Do you think Perrotta was able to balance so-called liberal and conservative views on display in the novel? Did he reveal his bias?

2. Is there a way to teach abstinence and sex education without offending?

3. How do the sexual experiences of the characters in the novel support abstinence? How do they reinforce the need for education?

4. Does Tim’s faith feel genuine? Why or why not?

5. Does The Tabernacle church’s approach to Christianity feel familiar to you? Is it a good example of Christianity in America? Why or why not?

6. Why does speaking about sex with high school students cause fear and anger?

7. Why does prayer with children cause fear and anger (especially in light of how people today so often change their beliefs regardless of childhood experiences)?

8. What is more important: emotional or sexual intimacy? Can they be separated? Why are they equated so often?

9. What do you think will happen with Ruth and Tim? What do you think will happen to their children?

10. Rate The Abstinence Teacher on a scale of 1 to 5.