Sexuality in Adolescence considers the latest theory and research on adolescent development, focusing on sexuality as a vital aspect of normal, healthy maturation. Biological changes are discussed within a social context, and the latest research is presented on key issues of our time, including changes in teenage sexual behaviours and beliefs, sexual risk-taking, body dissatisfaction, sex education, teen pregnancy and abortion. Susan Moore and Doreen Rosenthal explore the roles of parents, peers, the media, social institutions and youth culture in adolescent sexual adjustment. This volume covers topical issues ranging from the role of the internet in adolescent romance to the pros and cons of abstinence education versus harm minimization. Issues, such as whether there are male-female differences in desire, sexuality, motives for sex, and beliefs about romance are examined, along with the question of whether a sexual double standard still exists. Maladaptive aspects of sexual development, including sexual risk-taking, disease, unplanned pregnancy, and sexual coercion are also covered. This fully revised and updated second edition also addresses the crucial issues of: sexual minority adolescents the social determinants of adolescent sexuality sexual health as opposed to sexual illness. This book aims to promote sexual well-being, and argues for the importance of the adolescent period as a time for engendering healthy sexual attitudes and practices. It will be valuable reading for students in the social and behavioural sciences interested in adolescent development and the topic of sexuality, and for professionals working with young people.

Written in an engaging question-and-answer format, this accessible text synthesizes contemporary empirical research to provide a panoramic view of adolescent sexual development and behavior. The book examines sexuality as part of normative growth and development, in addition to addressing traditional problem areas such as sexual risk taking. Candid personal stories bring the theory and research to life. Topics include the precursors of adolescent sexuality in childhood; biological aspects of adolescent sexuality, including puberty and the adolescent brain; the influences of parents, peers, and the media; and gender and racial/ethnic differences in attitudes and behavior. Coverage also encompasses romantic relationships; the experiences of sexual- and gender-minority youth; sexually transmitted infections; contraception, pregnancy, and teen parenthood; cross-cultural and international research; and approaches to sex education. Pedagogical Features *Headings written as questions throughout the chapters--for example, "How common is hooking up?" and "Is coming out to parents always a good thing?" *"In Their Own Words" boxes with firsthand accounts from adolescents and young adults. *"Focus on Research" sidebars that discuss research methods, challenges, and controversies in the field. *End-of-chapter summaries and suggested readings. Winner (First Place)--American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award, Child Health Category

This examination of changes in adolescent fertility emphasizes the changing social context within which adolescent childbearing takes place.

Sexuality in Adolescence: The Digital Generation provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of research and theory about adolescent sexuality in today’s world. The book examines biological, social and health-related approaches and reviews qualitative and quantitative research from psychology, sociology, epidemiology and medicine, emphasising the interplay between perspectives and privileging the voices of young people as they discuss the joys and pains of sexual awakening. The focus is on understanding healthy sexual development and its many variations, but problems and issues arising as young people make their journey to adult sexuality are also considered. The book presents global research on many key issues of our time, including the impact of media and technology on adolescent sexuality, changes in adolescent sexual behaviors and beliefs, sexual risk taking, sex education, and teen pregnancy and abortion. This fully revised and updated third edition of Sexuality in Adolescence also addresses the crucial issues of sexual diversity, sexual safety and sexual communication, including coercion, peer pressure and double standards. In Sexuality in Adolescence: The Digital Generation, the authors aim to promote sexual wellbeing, and argue for the importance of the adolescent period as a time for engendering healthy sexual attitudes and practices. This book will be valuable reading for students in the social, behavioural and health sciences who are interested in adolescent development and the topic of sexuality, as well as for professionals working with young people and families.

Covering major issues in adolescent sexuality in the United States from colonial times to the present, this work provides an account of how adults, from policymakers to police and parents, have attempted to intervene in the sexual lives of adolescents, and how adolescent sexuality has been and continues to be a subject of social concern and control. This balanced, nuanced, and data-grounded view of the past and present of adolescent sexuality provides readers with a store of valuable and reliable information. Covering major issues in adolescent sexuality in the United States from colonial times to the present, the book provides an account of ways in which adults—from policymakers to police and parents—have attempted to intervene in the sexual lives of adolescents, and how adolescent sexuality has been, and continues to be, a subject of social concern and control. Original essays cover juvenile sex in history, as well as trends such as statutory rape laws, teen pregnancy, media portrayals of adolescent sexuality, and sex education. The perspective is further broadened by a collection of primary documents such as a petition from the Women's Christian Temperance Union to raise the age of consent, court cases, Freud's theories on sexuality, images used in the early 20th century for sex education, and current statistics on adolescent sexuality. This important and well-informed work will prove a central resource for students, educators, parents, journalists, and those working on behalf of youth.

Romantic relationship formation and the engagement in sexual behaviors are normative and salient developmental tasks for adolescents and young adults. These developmental tasks are increasingly viewed from an ecological perspective, thus as strongly embedded in different social contexts, including the proximal social domains of parents, peers, and partners. This volume brings together seven recent empirical studies on adolescents’ and young adults’ romantic relationships and sexuality in the context of relationships with parents, peers, and partners. In this editorial introduction, we describe two important recent changes in the theoretical perspectives on emerging romantic relationships and sexual activity: from risky behaviors to normative tasks, and from individual to contextualized processes. We then discuss recent advances in empirical research on romantic relationships and sexuality of adolescents and young adults. After that, we review the seven studies in this volume, and discuss the contributions of these studies to the existing literature. Finally, we discuss directions for future research regarding how to further incorporate the interrelational perspective in empirical research on these topics, and how to bridge the gap between the research fields on romantic relationships and sexuality. This book was originally published as a special issue of the European Journal of Developmental Psychology.

Abstract: This book presents the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the Committee on Child Development Research and Public Policy within the National Research Council. The panel examined research and existing programs which address the areas of adolescent sexuality, pregnancy, and childbearing with the intent of making recommendations for policy making, program design, program evaluation, and research. The panel's report is presented in chapters addressing the following topics: trends in adolescent sexuality and fertility, society and changing roles of adolescents, determinants of sexual behavior, effects of adolescent childbearing, interventions, and priorities for data collection, research, policies, and programs. An accompanying volume contains the working papers on which the report was based. The working papers address three broad areas, which are: 1) influences on early sexual and fertility behavior, 2) consequences of early sexual and fertility behavior, and 3) programs and policies related to teen pregnancy and sexuality.