Web Researcher

Instructions (24.0K)

Web Researcher Question:

Check out one or more websites aimed at gay, lesbian, or bisexual teenagers. What seem to be the dominant issues and concerns?

Background Information:

One of the real benefits of the world wide web is that it can help people find information about things that may be hard to find locally or which they may want to pursue anonymously. This may be particularly helpful for adolescents who are exploring their sexual identity - especially if they live in small towns, isolated areas, or are afraid of how their friends, community, or family may react to their interests. On-line discussions and chat groups can also provide social support and advice for people who may feel alone, unique, or isolated. There are many on-line forums aimed at gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transexual (GLBT) youth. All of these sites have links to many more.

• The Gay Student Center includes diaries, poetry, advice and discussion.
• YouthPride in Atlanta offers links, advice, and on-line chats.

TeenAdvice's webiste includes a specific area geared towards GLBT youth. It contains a page on Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Issues with two pages of links and resources to support groups, articles, information, and chat rooms.

1		What is sexual socialization?
			A)	The process of becoming comfortable with dating by beginning to go out in mixed-sex groups.
			B)	The way in which children and adolescents are educated about sexuality.
			C)	The process through which an individual determines his or her sexual identity.
2		A young girl is not allowed to play with boys and knows that if she is caught engaging in any type of sexual activity, she will be humiliated in public. What kind of society does she live in?
			A)	Restrictive
			B)	Semirestrictive
			C)	Permissive
3		What does research show about ethnic differences in sexual activity?
			A)	White adolescents begin sexual activity earliest and have intercourse most often.
			B)	Mexican American adolescents begin sexual activity earliest and have intercourse least often.
			C)	African American adolescents begin sexual activity earliest and have intercourse most often.
			D)	African American adolescents begin sexual activity earliest and have intercourse least often.
4		Which of the following statements are true about changes in adolescent sexual activity and attitudes in the last 50 years? Check all that apply.
			A)	Adolescents have become much more tolerant of sexual promiscuity.
			B)	The percentage of unmarried adolescents who have engaged in sexual intercourse has increased.
			C)	Sex differences in the rates of premarital intercourse have decreased.
			D)	The median age at which adolescents first experience intercourse has declined.
			E)	Adolescents became proponents of casual sex during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
5		What does research show about the impact of sexual activity on adolescents' psychological and social well-being?
			A)	In general, sexually active adolescents are more troubled than their peers.
			B)	Early sexual activity is associated with minor deviance.
			C)	Unmarried girls who become pregnant suffer from low self-esteem.
6		Which of the following statements is true about parents' influence on adolescents' sexual activity?
			A)	Adolescents who are closely monitored by their parents are less likely to be sexually active.
			B)	Adolescent girls whose parents are divorcing or have divorced are likely to become sexually active at an earlier age than their peers.
			C)	Parent-adolescent communication about sex is associated with less sexual activity regardless of the sex of the parent and the sex of the adolescent.
7		What does research show about sex differences in the meaning of sex for adolescents?
			A)	Males tend to interpret sexual experiences in terms of recreation while females interpret sexual experiences in terms of intimacy and emotional involvement.
			B)	Females are more likely than males to confide quickly in friends about their first experience of sexual intercourse.
			C)	Males and females both report only positive feelings after their first sexual experience.
8		Deborah has a boyfriend with whom she is sexually active. She also enjoys playing softball, keeps her hair cut short, and hates to wear dresses. If some of her peers assume that she is a lesbian when she is not, what might be the source of the confusion?
			A)	Deborah's peers are confusing her sexual preference with her gender identity.
			B)	Deborah's peers are confusing her sexual preference with her sexual script.
			C)	Deborah's peers are confusing her sexual preference with her sex-role behavior.
9		What are some reasons for the irregular and ineffective use of contraception by adolescents? Check all that apply.
			A)	Contraceptives are not readily available for some adolescents.
			B)	Many adolescents would like to have a baby.
			C)	Adolescents are lacking in their education about sex, pregnancy, and contraception.
			D)	Many adolescents do not want to admit that they are planfully and willingly sexually active.
			E)	Many adolescents simply do not want to use birth control.
10		According to research, what may be the most effective way to prevent teenage pregnancy?
			A)	Classroom-based sex education
			B)	Abstinence programs
			C)	A combination of school-based sex education and community health clinics where adolescents can obtain contraception.