ABSTRACT

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.

chapter |27 pages

Sexual behaviours and attitudes

What is happening now?

chapter |26 pages

The social context

Parents and peers

chapter |22 pages

The social context

Sex education, religion and the law

chapter |23 pages

The social context

Impact of media and technology

chapter |27 pages

Sexual diversity

chapter |22 pages

Sexually transmissible infections

Management and consequences

chapter |27 pages

Adolescent pregnancy

Choices and outcomes

chapter |7 pages

Perspectives on adolescent sexuality

Two decades of change