CHAPTER 11 SEXUALITY

1. Why is adolescence considered the most important life stage for the development of sexuality? What biological, cognitive, and social changes make adolescent sexuality different from childhood sexuality?

2. What are the FOUR DEVELOPMENTAL CHALLENGES that adolescents face concerning their sexuality?

3. What is SEXUAL SOCIALIZATION? How would you describe sexual socialization in RESTRICTIVE, SEMI-RESTRICTIVE, and PERMISSIVE societies? How would you describe comtemporary American society?

4. What are some of the changes in adolescents' attitudes about sex since the 60s? What is SERIAL MONOGAMY? What is the DOUBLE STANDARD?

5. Describe the STAGES OF SEXUAL ACTIVITY. What are the general ethnic and regional differences in EARLY sexual intercourse? Why are African-Americans at higher risk for early sexual activity?

6. What are significant changes in patterns of adolescent INTERCOURSE? (name three) Are there significant gender and ethnic differences in the prevalence of premarital intercourse? Justify your answer.

7. Is sexual activity during adolescence associated with psychological problems? What about early sexual activity?

8. How do FAMILY variables such as a) parents' communicating with kids about sex and b) household composition affect teens' sexual behavior? Why are girls from single-parent homes particularly at risk for early sexual activity?

9. How do PEERS influence adolescent sexual behavior? (name two ways)

10. What are the GENDER DIFFERENCES in the psychological meaning and significance attached to sex? How does this affect males' and females' feelings about sex? WHY are there gender differences?

11. Define and differentiate SEXUAL PREFERENCE, SEX-ROLE BEHAVIOR and GENDER IDENTITY.

12. In what ways is sexual preference linked to BIOLOGICAL mechanisms? How may sexual preference develop from BIOLOGICAL-ENVIRONMENT interaction (note Daryl Bem's research)?

13. What are the psychological RISKS and VULNERABILITIES experienced by homosexual adolescents?

14. What are the risk factors for SEXUAL ABUSE? What are the psychological consequences of sexual abuse?

15. What are the factors that account for why a LOW percentage of adolescents use CONTRACEPTION when engaging in sexual activity? (identify at least three) What are some of the INTERVENTIONS that attempt to address this problem?

16. What is AIDS (and don't just spell it out!)? Who are at highest risk for acquiring HIV?

17. Which groups in the population are at highest risk for adolescent CHILDBEARING? What are the contributing factors to adolescent childbearing?

18. What are the differences between adolescents who choose to terminate their pregnancy, and those who do not? What are the consequences--positive or negative--of abortion?

19. What are the consequences of adolescent motherhood for the child? What are the mechanisms or factors that link teenage motherhood with negative child outcomes?

20. What are the consequences of adolescent motherhood for the mother?

21. What are some of the common PREVENTION/ INTERVENTION programs that address the problem of teenage pregnancy? Why have these programs not been successful in curbing the problem? What approaches seem to hold the most promise in preventing pregnancy, and alleviating the negative effects of teenage motherhood?