Sexuality in Adolescence Sexuality in Adolescence: Current Trends considers the latest theory and research on adolescent development, focusing on sexuality as a vital aspect of normal, healthy maturation. Biological changes are discussed within a social context, and the latest research is presented on key issues of our time, including changes in teenage sexual behaviours and beliefs, sexual risk-taking, body dissatisfaction, sex education, teen pregnancy and abortion. Susan Moore and Doreen Rosenthal explore the roles of parents, peers, the media, social institutions and youth culture in adolescent sexual adjustment. This book covers topical issues ranging from the role of the internet in adolescent romance to the pros and cons of abstinence education versus harm minimization. Issues, such as whether there are male-female differences in desire, sexuality, motives for sex, and beliefs about romance are examined, along with the question of whether a sexual double standard still exists. Maladaptive aspects of sexual development, including sexual risk-taking, disease, unplanned pregnancy, and sexual coercion are also covered. This fully revised and updated second edition also addresses the crucial issues of: Sexual minority adolescents The social determinants of adolescent sexuality Sexual health as opposed to sexual illness This book aims to promote sexual well-being, and argues for the importance of the adolescent period as a time for engendering healthy sexual attitudes and practices. It will be valuable reading for students in the social and behavioural sciences interested in adolescent development and the topic of sexuality and for professionals working with young people. Susan Moore is a developmental social psychologist at Swinburne University Melbourne. Her research focuses on adolescent psychology, risk-taking and the psychology of health and illness. She has published over 100 refereed journal articles, plus several books and book chapters. Doreen Rosenthal is a developmental psychologist at the University of Melbourne. Her research interests include adolescent psychology, particularly sexuality and sexual health, and the social determinants of health. She has published over 140 refereed journal articles, several books and many book chapters. Adolescence and Society Series editor: John C.Coleman The Trust for the Study of Adolescence The general aim of the series is to make accessible to a wide readership the growing evidence relating to adolescent development. Much of this material is published in relatively inaccessible professional journals, and the goals of the books in this series will be to summarize, review and place in context current work in the field so as to interest and engage both an undergraduate and a professional audience. The intention of the authors is to raise the profile of adolescent studies among professionals and in institutions of higher education. By publishing relatively short, readable books on interesting topics to do with youth and society, the series will make people more aware of the relevance of the subject of adolescence to a wide range of social concerns. The books will not put forward any one theoretical viewpoint. The suthors will outline the most prominent theories in the field and will include a balanced and critical assessment of each of these. Whilst some of the books may have a clinical or applied slant, the majority will concentrate on normal development. The readership will rest primarily in two major areas: the undergraduate market, particularly in the fields of psychology, sociology and education; and the professional training market, with particular emphasis on social work, clinical and educational psychology, counselling, youth work, nursing and teacher training. Also available in this series: Adolescent Health Patrick C.L.Heaven The Nature of Adolescence (second edition) John C.Coleman and Leo Hendry The Adolescent in the Family Patricia Noller and Victor Callan Young People’s Understanding of Society Adrian Furnham and Barrie Stacey Growing up with Unemployment Anthony H.Winefield, Marika Tiggermann, Helen R.Winefield and Robert D.Goldney Young People’s Leisure and Lfestyles Leo B.Hendry, Janey Shucksmith, John G.Love and Anthony Glendinning Sexuality in Adolescence Susan Moore and Doreen Rosenthal Adolescent Gambling Mark Griffiths Youth, AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases Susan Moore, Doreen Rosenthal and Anne Mitchell Fathers and Adolsecents Shmuel Shulman and Inge Seiffge-Krenke Adolescent Coping Erica Frydenberg Young People’s Involvement in Sport Edited by John Kremer, Karen Trew and Shaun Ogle The Nature of Adolescence John C.Coleman and Leo B.Hendry Social Networks and Social Influences in Adolescence John Cotterell Identity in Adolescence (3rd edition) Jane Kroger Sexuality in Adolescence Current Trends Susan Moore and Doreen Rosenthal LONDON AND NEW YORK First published 2006 by Routledge 27 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 2FA Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by Routledge 270 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2007. “To purchase your own copy of this or any of Taylor & Francis or Routledge’s collection of thousands of eBooks please go to www.ebookstore.tandf.co.uk.” © 2006 Psychology Press Paperback cover design by Hybert Design All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. This publication has been produced with paper manufactured to strict environmental standards and with pulp derived from sustainable forests. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Moore, Susan, 1945– Sexuality in adolescence: current trends/Susan Moore and Doreen Rosenthal.—2nd ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: 978-0-415-34462-3 (hardcover) ISBN-10: 0-415-34462-X (hardcover) ISBN-13: 978-0-415-34496-8 (paperback) ISBN-10: 0-415-34496-4 (paperback) 1. Youth-Sexual behavior. 2. Teenagers-Sexual behavior. I. Rosenthal, Doreen, 1938–. II. Title. HQ27.M635 2006 306.70835–dc22 2006009407 ISBN 0-203-69503-8 Master e-book ISBN ISBN 13: 978-0-415-34462-3 (hbk) ISBN 13: 978-0-415-34496-8 (pbk) ISBN 10: 0-415-34462-X (hbk) ISBN 10: 0-415-34496-4 (pbk) To the children of our children—adolescents present and future. Contents Acknowledgements ix Introduction 1 1 Sexuality in the 21st century: adolescents’ behaviours and beliefs 5 2 Theoretical approaches: not just what but why? 28 3 Changing hormones, changing bodies 51 4 Parents and peers: shaping influences 70 5 The social context: from youth culture to globalization 85 6 Gender, sexuality and romance 101 7 Issues for gay and lesbian adolescents 119 8 Sexually transmitted infections: an increasing problem 134 9 Having a baby: choices and outcomes 148 10 When sex is unwanted 164 Conclusion 182 References 187 Index 215 Acknowledgements We would like to thank our publisher for encouraging us to rethink our understanding of adolescent sexuality in the light of changes in the past decade. Thanks also to our colleagues and institutions (Swinburne University of Technology and The University of Melbourne) for providing the resources that enabled us to complete this book. We are particularly grateful to the research assistants who helped us gather information about adolescent sexuality over many years of research. Special thanks are due to Kathleen Nolan and Katie Symes for their editing skills. Our picture of what it is like to be a teenager and a sexual being in today’s world would not have been possible without the involvement of many young people who contributed to our research and trusted us with such sensitive information. Special thanks go to these adolescents who have talked to us and whose experiences enrich the text and have provided a framework for this book. Finally, to our families who have endured while we wrote this book, our thanks.