Title: Forearmed
Subtitle: Insights on Sex, Love and Relationships
Author: Michael Richard Katagaya
Michael Richard Katagaya is a social worker by training and a learning, monitoring and evaluation specialist. He has worked with both government and non-government organisations in East Africa. His passion to live a full life has given him some useful experience in relationships. He has also served with several youth groups, mostly in church. This has given him a chance to get deeper insights into the lives of fellow youths and their thoughts on sex, love and relationships.
Forearmed is a title befitting the book since the content is aimed at equipping individuals to make the right choices and not suffer trauma because the choices people make have an impact on them.
Michael kicks starts off the book with detailing God`s perspective on relationships. “God is a relational God who desires to have a relationship with humanity. He comes first in any relationship because our horizontal reflects our vertical. Horizontal is man`s relationship with others while vertical is man`s relationship with God. An imbalance in one leads to an imbalance in the other.
Michael answers vital questions in the prevailing chapters, “must everyone date? in an era where dating is trendy and fashionable. He answers it candidly with scripture to back it up. He believes one of the worst things to do is date out of boredom. `You may chew gum, sing like a drunken fellow, play solitaire, roll in the sand or eat a lot but do not attempt to let your heart trespass into another person`s heart just because you are bored.
He cautions individuals not to date every person of the opposite sex around them because they will end up dating the entire world. He builds a strong case on conserving purity and not pursuing romantic relationships at all times. He uses references from the situations/problems sent through on Kampala based Christian station 104.1FM by youth who need advice on love, relationships and sex.
In our generation where settling for a married man/woman is the norm, the book cautions individuals to stay clear of married men/women in their bid to settle down. They ought to make informed choices about the partners they choose to settle down with, ask all relevant questions about family history, future plans, career, any diseases, financesetc. He tackles the aspect of finding love on social media which is a no-no for me however, it works for some people but not forgetting the false impressions social media gives yet dating and marriage is a reality.
Love is a decision and when you decide on one lady/man, stick to them and go on to take the big steps while observing both cultural and religious norms of either sides. However, the beginning bits of the book are not as catchy as the continuing chapters which will keep you on the edge of your seats.
Book quality
It is a well written book; with simple language and undeniable humor .The book cover is of good quality and the designers did a fantastic job. The heart with the key, red rose and the scroll on the cover all point to the title “forearmed: Insights on Sex, Love and Relationships. The book is aimed at helping individuals know how to guard their hearts even as love comes their way.
Recommendations
I recommend the book to all individuals dating, courting and those seeking to get married; as the book takes them through the whole pattern from boy meets girl to a happily ever after. Leaders /facilitators who seek to share on this trendy topic have a go to manual with relevant examples from the author`s personal life and from relevant sources.
Lastly, parents who don`t know how to have relationship conversations without their children feeling like they are old school and “don`t understand the current love trends. This book will help your children and they will thank you for it.
No Ordinary Scribbles 