Adolescent Sexuality

The topic of adolescent sexuality is of great importance in the study of applied developmental science because it represents an area in which many contextual factors influence the development of this innately personal aspect of life. Sexuality, in turn, affects many dimensions of adolescent development. While people are sexual from birth to death, it is the years during adolescence in which they begin to understand and experience their sexuality in preparation for a mature, adult sex life. Spurred by physical bodily changes (including increased levels of sex hormones, the development of secondary sex organs, menarche, or semenarche), a heightened surge of sexual interest begins at the onset of puberty. A key developmental task for an adolescent is becoming a sexually healthy adult. As part of this, adolescents begin to engage in sexual interactions. However, sexuality is not only about sexual behaviors or having sex. It also involves aspects that are intellectual, social, moral, and emotional.

Herein is an overview of the topic of adolescent sexuality, exploring the numerous factors that inform it. The entry begins by examining adolescents' quest for identity, expressed through their exploration of gender roles and sexual orientation, as well as their ability to develop and maintain meaningful relationships and express affection, love, and intimacy in ways consistent with their emerging values. Next is an examination of the patterns of adolescent sexual experience, including the percentages of sexually active adolescents and the pleasures and risk of adolescent sexuality. Then, there is a discussion of factors that influence the development of sexuality, such as friends, potential sex partners, family, and the media. Finally, the entry concludes with a brief discussion of the need for sex education to encourage healthy development of adolescents' sexuality.