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Cited by 640Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive HealthLGBTQ Health, Identity, and PolicyGender, Sexuality, and Education

Normative Sexuality Development in Adolescence: A Decade in Review, 2000–2009

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Tolman, Deborah L., McClelland, Sara I.·2011·Journal of Research on Adolescence
DOI 10.1111/j.1532-7795.2010.00726.x
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Abstract

This review details a key innovation across the field of adolescent sexuality research over the last decade—conceptualizing sexuality as a normative aspect of adolescent development. Anchored in a growing articulation of adolescent sexuality as having positive qualities and consequences, we provide an organizing framework for understanding sexuality as normative and developmentally expected. Using this framework, we report on 3 specific areas of research that have developed “critical mass” over the past decade: new views on sexual behavior, sexual selfhood, and sexual socialization in the 21st century. We conclude by suggesting that the next step in the field of adolescent sexuality development is the explicit integration of “positive” dimensions of sexuality with risk management dimensions. Rather than navigating a binary between positive and risky, we propose characterizing the “both/and” quality of adolescent sexuality development as normative. This framework, we argue, encourages empirical research that assumes a wide range of strategies through which adolescents learn about themselves, their bodies, intimate partners, and relationships within contexts where they are required to both manage risks and develop positive patterns for adulthood sexuality. We conclude with considerations for future research and public policy.

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Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. Collins, W. A., Welsh, D. P., & Furman, W. (2009). Ado- lescent romantic relationships. Annual Review of Psy- chology, 60, 631 -652.
  2. Correa, S., & Petchesky, R. (1994). Reproductive and sexual rights: A feminist perspective. In G. Sen, A. Germain, & L. Chen (Eds.), Population policy reconsidered: Health, em- powerment and rights. Harvard series on population and in- ternational health (pp. 107 -126). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
  3. Diamond, L. M., & Savin-Williams, R. C. (2009). Adoles- cent sexuality. In R. M. Lerner & L. Steinberg (Eds.), Handbook of adolescent psychology (3rd ed., pp. 479 -523). New York, NY: Wiley.
  4. L'Engle, K. L., Brown, J. D., & Kenneavy, K. (2006). Virginal, curious, silent, or sophisticated? The sexual self-concepts of black and white adolescents. Conference of the Society for Research on Adolescence, San Francisco, CA.
  5. Manning, W. D., Giordano, P. C., & Longmore, M. A. (2006). Hooking up: The relationship contexts of 'nonrelationship' sex. Journal of Adolescent Research, 21, 459 -483.
  6. Woody, J., D'Souza, H., & Russel, R. (2003). Emotions and motivations in first adolescent intercourse: An explor- atory study based on object relations theory. Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 12, 35 -51.

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Authors
Tolman, D. L., & McClelland, S. I.
Affiliations
  • Hunter College (US)
  • University of Michigan (US)
Corresponding author
Tolman, Deborah L.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Research on Adolescence
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2011-02-15
Volume
21
Issue
1
Pages
242-255
ISSN
  • 1050-8392 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-7795
DOI
10.1111/j.1532-7795.2010.00726.x
OpenAlex
W2101371191
Cited by
640
References
116
Citations by year
2026: 25 · 2025: 32 · 2024: 33 · 2023: 30 · 2022: 69 · 2021: 59 · 2020: 40 · 2019: 52 · 2018: 40 · 2017: 33 · 2016: 61 · 2015: 49 · 2014: 47 · 2013: 41 · 2012: 19
FWCI
68.26
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
Journal of Research on Adolescence (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender, Sexuality, and Education
Keywords
adolescent sexuality, normative sexuality, sexual development, sexual behavior, sexual socialization, risk management, positive sexuality, intimate relationships, public policy

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