Adolescent Sexual Development
Angela Oswalt Morelli , MSW, edited by C. E. Zupanick, Psy.D.image by James Stewart (lic)This article has emphasized that adolescent development is an amazing and remarkable journey toward becoming an adult. Perhaps one of the most significant developmental milestones along this journey is adolescents' emerging sexuality. Although sexual development is discussed here as a separate area of development, in reality it represents a complex merger of youths' physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and moral development.
As youth grow into adult bodies capable of sexual reproduction, their sexual interest is piqued just as they are becoming interested in forming adult-like, romantic relationships. This often spells a recipe for disaster in some parents' minds, but it needn't be. With thoughtful planning and education, parents' can assist their teens to celebrate and embrace their sexuality while making wise decisions along the way.
During adolescence, youth must make many decisions about their sexuality, and will come to learn a great deal about themselves including an understanding of their own sexual identity and sexual orientation. This article has previously discussed the developmental process of establishing a unique and personal identity. As part of that process, youth must also form a gender identity; i.e., whether they consider themselves to be masculine, feminine, or transgender. For most youth, their gender identity will correspond to their biological sex. But some youth will identify themselves as transgender, meaning their experienced gender identity does not match their biological sex.
Another aspect of sexual development is sexual orientation. Sexual orientation refers to patterns of attraction to others and includes physical, emotional, sexual, and romantic attraction. Like gender identity, adolescents' sexual orientation typically evolves throughout all three phases of adolescence. In this section we explore these many facets of adolescent sexuality. Our goal is simply to describe this process of development.
Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development - Part II
The Development of Gender Identity
Resources
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Articles
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Introduction
- An Introduction to Adolescent Development
- An Overview of Adolescent Development
- Overview of Adolescent Development: Part II
- Overview of Adolescent Development: Part III
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Physical Development
- Adolescent Physical Development
- Adolescent Physical Development: Part II
- Perspiration, Acne and Oily Skin
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Cognitive Development
- Adolescent Cognitive Development
- Jean Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development
- The Maturing Adolescent Brain
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Emotional Development
- Adolescent Emotional Development
- Emotional Self-Efficacy
- The Development of Self-Identity
- Erik Erikson and Self-Identity
- James Marcia and Self-Identity
- Self-Identity and Values
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Social Development
- Adolescent Social Development
- Teens and Peer Relationships
- Teens and Family Relationships: Parents
- Teens and Family Relationships: Siblings
- Teens and Romantic Relationships and With Other Adults
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Moral Development
- Adolescent Moral Development
- Piaget's Theory of Moral Development
- Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development
- Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development - Part II
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Gender Identity & Sexual Development
- Adolescent Sexual Development
- The Development of Gender Identity
- Transgender Youth
- The Development of Sexual Orientation
- The Development of Adolescent Sexuality
- Middle to Late Adolescence (ages 15 to 22): The Age of Romance
- Teen Sexuality: Suggestions for Parents and Other Caregivers
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Conclusion & References
- Summary and Conclusion
- References
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Introduction
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Questions and Answers
- Need Help
- Can't Stand the Idea of Being Normal
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Book & Media Reviews
- The Teenage Brain
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Links
- [1] Government
- [2] Information
- [9] Videos
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Videos
- Child Development: Stepping Stones - Lesson 23: Adolescence: Psychosocial Development
- Child Development: Stepping Stones - Lesson 21: Adolescence: Biosocial Development
- Child Development: Stepping Stones - Lesson 22: Adolescence: Cognitive Development
- Child Development: Stepping Stones - Lesson 24: Adolescence: Summary
- Adolescent Risk-Takers: The Power of Peers
- NAMI Ending the Silence - A mental health awareness program for teens
- Take Healthy Habits to College
- Behavioral Health on College Campuses
- Back-to-School: A Time to Think about Health & Academics
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