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Many research studies have indicated that, in general, sexual activity during adolescence is not associated with psychological disturbance; however, there are a few exceptions. Describe the effect of sexual activity on psychological development and which sub-populations might be most at risk for negative consequences as a result of adolescent sexuality. |
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| 2 | |
Having a discussion about sex with parents tends not to be a strong predictor of an adolescent's involvement in sexual activity. Stronger predictors include whether the adolescent uses drugs or alcohol, has sexually active friends, and is in a steady relationship. However, growing up in a single-parent home does tend to affect adolescents' involvement in sexual behavior, particularly sexual behavior among girls. Reflect on the possible explanations for why certain predictors are better than talking to parents about sexual activity, and discuss why single-parent homes are more predictive of girls' sexual behavior than boys. |
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| 3 | |
The developmental tasks in the domains of identity, intimacy, and sexuality present great challenges for many teenagers. These challenges may be even greater for sexual-minority adolescents given that many in society hold prejudiced and biased views against homosexuality. What additional challenges are faced by sexual-minority adolescents that are not problematic for their heterosexual peers? Given that many of these additional challenges occur in the context of schools, how might a program to curtail these negative events be designed? Include a discussion of the often-misunderstood differences among sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex-role behaviors in your answer. How can you help parents and adults understand the development of a homosexual orientation? |
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Adolescents fail to use effective contraception for many reasons. Identify the various factors that contribute to adolescents' failure to use contraception as well as their frequently ineffective use of them when they choose to use them. Consider phenomena such as virginity pledges and abstinence-only sex education in your response. In your opinion, does providing access to effective contraceptive methods actually encourage adolescents to engage in sexual activity, or, is it more a way of trying to minimize unwanted pregnancy and transmission of sexually transmitted disease among our youth? Put personal morality and opinions aside to answer this question, focusing on what the research says. |
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| 5 | |
Sexual harassment is rampant in American schools, with most students and even some teachers admitting both to being harassed and participating in the harassment of others. There have been accounts publicized in the news where a female teacher sexually abused one of her under-age male students. She was convicted and is currently serving a jail sentence. What type(s) of programming would you incorporate into a high school setting to sensitize young people to the issue of sexual harassment and abuse? What can be done to assure that predatory adults are not hired as teachers within the school systems? |
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| 6 | |
You are teaching a class on the normative changes of adolescence (biological, cognitive, and social) and your objective is to build on students' prior knowledge of these changes to teach about issues of sexuality. Be sure to include in your answer why adolescence is an important time in the life cycle for the development of sexuality. Also describe the role of puberty, cognitive changes, and social changes in the development of sexuality. |
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| 7 | |
You are 17 years old and your mother has just found out that you are sexually active. Based on research from the textbook, convince your mother that you are "ready" and "prepared" to engage in sexual behaviors. Be sure to include a discussion of the potential risks and how you are guarding against those risks. |
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| 8 | |
Discuss how sexual development and expression might be different for lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender adolescents. How does sexual orientation relate to gender identity and sex-role behaviors? What are the origins of homosexuality? |
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