ABSTRACT
The model I use to integrate the body of literature for older adolescents and young adult sexuality is similar to the previous, early adolescent model, but reflects developmental changes. Parental influence diminishes as adolescents mature and become young adults. This is a normal developmental experience as young adults need to establish their independence from parents while maintaining emotional closeness. Concurrently, integration into a peer network becomes increasingly important. Peers provide vital support for ventures into adult roles through emotional support, modeling, and vicarious experiences. Even more important are the dating experiences of the developing individual. Dating allows adolescents and young adults to practice relationship skills that will be important in the development of close relationships and later in marriage. Dating experiences are richer and fuller at this developmental stage than they were during early adolescence. More is also known about how sexual roles are enacted. The model reflects each of these changes.
