New research shows positive side to adolescent sexuality and challenges dominant view of teen sexuality as problematic

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Researchers find sexual experience during adolescence may be associated with positive perceptions of one's self as a sexual being and better sexual health and discuss implications of these findings for policies on sexuality education. "Positive Perspectives on Adolescent Sexuality: Part 1" is the title of the new special issue of Sexuality Research and Social Policy: Journal of NSRC. This peer-reviewed journal is published by the National Sexuality Research Center (NSRC) at San Francisco State University in partnership with University of California Press and is available exclusively online at www.SexualityResearch.net.

The special issue of the journal is the first of two parts containing original research from leaders in the field of adolescent sexuality. It is guest edited by Stephen T. Russell, who stated in a pre-publication interview that: We are now at a point where we can conceptualize positive adolescent sexuality and sexual expression—not necessarily that sexual intercourse is good for teenagers, but to say the pervasive idea that sexual behavior is bad if you're a teen is becoming challenged. So much research is focused on negative experiences of first sexual experiences, yet some adolescents talk about pleasure, planned sex, sex associated with their own personal satisfaction. This pushes us beyond ideas like "Sex is bad." and "How do we make sure it doesn't happen?" The reality is sex does happen. So we should be more concerned about how we help young people make healthy choices about sex.

source: Article 'New research shows positive side to adolescent sexuality and challenges dominant view of teen sexuality as problematic' by National Sexuality Resource Center; 25 October 2005