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.

Winner (First Place)--American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award, Child Health Category

About the Author

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.

Reviews

"This book provides an up-to-date, highly readable, authoritative review of what we know (and do not know) about adolescent sexuality. It covers such important topics as the biological and social forces shaping sexuality; the experiences of LGBTQ youth; the role of parents, peers, and media; potential negative consequences of sexual behavior; and positive aspects of adolescent sexuality. This balanced approach is both timely and important. Montemayor does a superb job of highlighting key studies and placing them in the context of recent trends in adolescent sexual behavior. Novel features include the question-and-answer format and the use of students' stories about their own sexuality, which are engaging and relatable. This is a needed text for undergraduate courses in adolescence or adolescent sexuality, and will also be useful in graduate seminars for its accessible, 'big-picture' account."--Lisa J. Crockett, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

"A very timely book, given the changing nature of adolescents' and emerging adults' sexual behavior. The scientific literature is integrated with youths' descriptions of their experiences. Particularly striking is the breadth of coverage, including often-omitted topics such as sexuality in childhood, sex education, and teen parents. Although the text is designed for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses on sexuality, scholars and practitioners in many disciplines will find it a great way of broadening their knowledge base."--Wyndol Furman, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Denver

"A comprehensive work that pulls together several domains of research in adolescent sexual development and behaviors. I would use this as both a reference book and a class text. It would be suitable for both undergraduate and graduate student learning about adolescent risk-taking behaviors."--Wendy Hadley, PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University

"This is a straightforward text on adolescent sexuality and beyond, with all the bells and whistles (personal narratives, suggestions for research), making it especially well suited for use at the university level, particularly for sexuality classes in the social sciences."--Paul R. Abramson, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles

"This clearly written, well-organized book summarizes what we currently know about adolescent sexuality. Most of the cited research is recent, which is important in an area that is so sensitive to changing times and social mores. The author is very good at making sense of a complicated field and presenting complex findings in an understandable manner. I like the coverage of the material and the mainstreaming of LGBT issues."--Terri D. Fisher, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, The Ohio State University at Mansfield; Visiting Professor of Psychology, University of the South -

Book Information
ISBN 9781462537167
Author Raymond Montemayor
Format Paperback
Page Count 362
Imprint Guilford Press
Publisher Guilford Publications
Weight(grams) 672g