By the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
- Describe the sexual attitudes and behaviors of typical adolescents.
- Discuss the factors that are associated with adolescent sexual activity.
- Be familiar with the sexual ethics of American adolescent males and females including what they are seeking and the reasons why they claim they engage or don’t engage in sexual activity.
- Be aware of the extent of the sexual aggression experienced by adolescents.
- Describe adolescent contraceptive use. Know whether contraceptive availability affects sexual behavior.
- Be familiar with the sexually transmitted infections that most commonly affect adolescents.
- Describe the symptoms, progression, and treatment of AIDS.
- Explain why American adolescent pregnancy rates are so high.
- Compare the pregnant adolescents who choose abortion, motherhood, and adoption.
- Discuss the likely outcomes of parenthood on adolescent females and males.
- Compare the different theories as to the cause of sexual orientation and evaluate the data in support of each theory.
- Describe the stresses faced by homosexual adolescents.
- Explain why parents find it so difficult to discuss sex with their adolescent children.
- Discuss the current status of sex education in the public schools, including the different approaches used and the degree of public support for them.
