Sexuality in Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood

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.

Raymond Montemayor, PhD, is Emeritus Associate Professor of Psychology at The Ohio State University. Previously he taught at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York and at the University of Utah, and he has had visiting appointments at Harvard University and the University of Minnesota. A fellow of Division 7 (Developmental Psychology) of the American Psychological Association, Dr. Montemayor has served as Associate Editor of the Journal of Early Adolescence and the Journal of Adolescent Research. His research and extensive publications have focused on adolescent social development and parent–adolescent relations. He has taught several courses on adolescent development, including adolescent sexuality, and received a Distinguished Teaching Award from the Department of Psychology at The Ohio State University.