Adolescent Girls’ Sexual Development

Abstract

(from the chapter) Examines how the pubertal transition is linked to adolescent girls' emerging sexuality with attention to the risks and challenges that may occur for some girls. The authors first describe the nature of adolescent development and puberty for girls. Then they examine how pubertal development connects with emerging sexuality and how sexual development is interconnected with multiple aspects of adolescent development. Drawing upon this background for girls' sexuality, the authors discuss program approaches that have sought to promote healthy development in girls. Finally, they consider the longer-term outcomes of different developmental trajectories of girls' sexual development along with policy implications of understanding girls' sexual behavior as part of a developmental trajectory for healthy or unhealthy behaviors and outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved)