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

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Promoting Positive Youth Development

Part of the book series: Advancing Responsible Adolescent Development ((ARAD))

Abstract

Sexual activity may be a part of positive, adaptive youth development, particularly in the later years of adolescence. Through promoting positive youth development (PYD), youth development programs can take an active role in improving adolescent sexual health. In this chapter, we emphasize the positive potential of adolescent sexuality development. We review research regarding the interplay between indicators of PYD and indicators of adolescent sexual behavior and sexual health and research on the role of youth development programs in addressing adolescent sexual health outcomes. We specifically explore the “Big Three” aspects of youth development programs: youth–adult relationships, skill building, and opportunities for leadership. We conclude with additional suggestions for how youth development programs can support both PYD and sexual health in integrated ways, by implementing policies and practices that support queer inclusivity, racial justice, and trauma-informed approaches.

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Acknowledgements

The preparation of this chapter was supported in part by grants from the National 4-H Council, the Altria Corporation, the Thrive Foundation for Youth, and the John Templeton Foundation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA

    Miriam R. Arbeit, Emily A. Baldi, Rachel O. Rubin & Elise M. Harris

  2. Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA

    Jacqueline V. Lerner

Authors
  1. Miriam R. Arbeit
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  2. Emily A. Baldi
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  3. Rachel O. Rubin
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  4. Elise M. Harris
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  5. Jacqueline V. Lerner
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Miriam R. Arbeit .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Youth Development Leadership, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA

    Edmond P. Bowers

  2. Human Development and Family Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA

    G. John Geldhof

  3. Tufts University Inst. for Applied Research in Youth Dev., Medford, Massachusetts, USA

    Sara K. Johnson

  4. Tufts University Inst. for Applied Research in Youth Dev., Medford, Massachusetts, USA

    Lacey J. Hilliard

  5. Tufts University Inst. for Applied Research in Youth Dev., Medford, Massachusetts, USA

    Rachel M. Hershberg

  6. Dept. Counseling, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA

    Jacqueline V. Lerner

  7. Tufts University Inst. for Applied Research in Youth Dev., Medford, Massachusetts, USA

    Richard M. Lerner

Recommended Additional Resources

Recommended Additional Resources

Answer. (2015). http://answer.rutgers.edu/

  • Answer is a national organization that provides online trainings, lesson plans, and resources for teens in support of access to comprehensive sexuality education for young people and the adults who teach them.

Advocates for Youth. (2015). http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/

  • Advocates for Youth is an organization that provides resources to support youth sexual health, with specific resources for working with youth of color and LGBTQ youth. This program supports youth activism for young people to take their health and rights into their own hands.

Scarleteen. (2015). http://www.scarleteen.com/

  • Scarleteen provides information tailored to youth on a wide variety of sexual health issues. Direct services for youth on the website include messages boards, advice columns, text, and live chat.

SIECUS: Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (2015). http://www.siecus.org/

  • This council, founded in 1964, provides access to information, knowledge, and skills for educators and youth workers, including fact sheets, lesson plans, advocacy, and other resources.

Start Strong. (2015). http://startstrong.futureswithoutviolence.org/

  • The Start Strong website provides resources for youth on dating violence prevention, including insights that can guide important decisions about which strategies to use and how to execute them.

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Arbeit, M.R., Baldi, E.A., Rubin, R.O., Harris, E.M., Lerner, J.V. (2015). Promoting Adolescent Sexual Health in Youth Programming: Implications of a Positive Youth Development Perspective. In: Bowers, E., et al. Promoting Positive Youth Development. Advancing Responsible Adolescent Development. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17166-1_12

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