Promoting Healthy Adolescent Sexuality

The healthy, rather than problematic, aspects of adolescent sexuality are emphasized in an approach that combines biosocial-psychological factors in a lifespan, contextual, family systems perspective with an emphasis on adolescent development from ages 10 to 20 years. A broad definition of healthy adolescent sexuality as a normal, positive, central part of growth toward maturity is proposed. Pertinent theory and research are briefly summarized to learn what factors are known to affect adolescent sexual health in both positive and negative ways.