Promoting Adolescent Sexual Health in Youth Programming: Implications of a Positive Youth Development Perspective

Abstract

In this chapter, we explain the relevant research on positive youth development (PYD) and sexual health. We also offer specific suggestions for how youth development programs can directly and indirectly work to promote adolescent sexual health and wellness. In doing so, we first discuss sexuality as relational development; specifically, we emphasize the importance of reframing adolescent .sexuality according to its positive potential rather than solely reducing it to an area of risk. We introduce a framework through which to consider adolescent sexuality development within the multiple layers of a young person's social and sexual context. Next, we review findings from the 4-H Study of PYD that indicate ways in which sexual behavior can be part of youth thriving. Then, we review related findings from other research that addresses youth development programs, PYD, and sexual health. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: chapter)