Americans remain deeply ambivalent about teenage sexuality. Many presume that such uneasiness is rooted in religion. But how exactly does religion contribute to the formation of teenagers' sexual values and actions? What difference, if any, does religion make in adolescents' sexual attitudes and behaviors? Are abstinence pledges effective? What does it mean to be "emotionally ready" for sex? Who expresses regrets about their sexual activity and why? Tackling these and other questions, Forbidden Fruit tells the definitive story of the sexual values and practices of American teenagers, paying particular attention to how participating in organized religion shapes sexual decision-making. Merging analyses of three national surveys with stories drawn from interviews with over 250 teenagers across America, Mark Regnerus reviews how young people learn-and what they know-about sex from their parents, schools, peers and other sources. He examines what experiences teens profess to have had, and how they make sense of these experiences in light of their own identities as religious, moral, and responsible persons. Religion can and does matter, Regnerus finds, but religious claims are often swamped by other compelling sexual scripts. Particularly interesting is the emergence of what Regnerus calls a new middle class sexual morality which has little to do with a desire for virginity but nevertheless shuns intercourse in order to avoid risks associated with pregnancy and STDs. And strikingly, evangelical teens aren't less sexually active than their non-evangelical counterparts, they just tend to feel guiltier about it. In fact, Regnerus finds that few religious teens have internalized or are even able to articulate the sexual ethic taught by their denominations. The only-and largely ineffective-sexual message most religious teens are getting is, "Don't do it until you're married." Ultimately, Regnerus concludes, religion may influence adolescent sexual behavior, but it rarely motivates sexual decision making.

This much-needed book provides an in-depth, nonjudgmental look at how consumption of Internet pornography and sexually explicit Internet material (SEIM) impacts the social, physical, emotional, and sexual development of adolescents. Youth and Internet Pornography explores some of the most contemporary issues in this field, including deepfake technology, the long-standing conflict between legal challenges to pornography versus individual rights, and the interrelationship between adolescent use of Internet pornography and the larger culture. The text outlines how different generations interact with the Internet, as well as the related legal and ethical issues around working with these different age groups. Behun and Owens use clinical illustrations and guided practice exercises to contextualise theoretical constructs and research, providing a comprehensive guide to how those working with young people should consider the impact of Internet pornography in their day-to-day practice. This book is essential reading for professionals and policy makers hoping to mitigate outcomes in counselling, youth and social work, and education, as well as supplementary reading for courses in human sexuality and development.

The former editor-in-chief of Seventeen magazine provides a revealing look at teens and sex, covering such topics as virginity, celibacy, the role of the media, birth control, sexually transmitted diseases, peer pressure, sex education, and the latest tre

The nexus between the digital revolution and adolescent sexual behavior has posed significant challenges to mental health practitioners, attorneys, and educators. These digital technologies may facilitate dangerous behaviors and serious consequences for some youth. Adolescent Sexual Development in the Digital Age considers adolescent sexual behavior in both clinical and legal contexts and provides a basis for clinicians, legal professionals, educators, policy makers, parents and the general public to understand the impact that technology has on human growth and development. The book's contributing authors are leading authorities in adolescent development, law, and ethics, fostering an interdisciplinary dialogue within the text. New technology poses many opportunities for both normal and risky sexual behavior in youth; including "sexting," social networking, cyber-sexual harassment, commercial exploitation of children, and child pornography. Beyond just cataloging the various technologies impacting sexual behavior, this volume offers guidance and strategies for addressing the issues created by the digital age.

When Dr. Robinson asked her freshman psychology students what today's parents need to know about teens and sex, they said parents do not have a realistic view of the world their children live in. A healthy sexual identity requires more than just a list of what not to do. In today's culture of sexual identity confusion, ubiquitous pornography, and #MeToo, teenagers need to know how to protect themselves as well as how to treat others. Talking with Teens about Sexuality will help you understand your teen's world and give you effective strategies in the midst of cultural pressures. Drs. Robinson and Scott provide scientifically reliable and biblically based information about gender fluidity, types of intimacy, online dangers, setting boundaries, and much more. Along the way, the book provides useful conversation starters and insightful guidance. Don't let fear keep you from engaging in vital conversations. Learn how to talk to your teen with knowledge and confidence, guiding them toward a sexually healthy future.

PROBLEM: Parents, teachers, and healthcare providers have been struggling to negotiate their changing roles and responsibilities with adolescents who are now growing up in a digital world. This study explored the ways that the Internet may both help and harm adolescent health and development, including adolescent understanding about human sexuality, attitudes about the sexual world, and sexual behaviors. METHODS: High school students and their parents/primary caretakers from a private urban school with a diverse student body participated in a mixed methods study. For the quantitative component, a convenience sample of eight high school students and their parents/primary caretakers completed a survey with five general themes: demographics, communication, knowledge, attitudes/beliefs and Internet behaviors. Teens esponses were compared to parent responses. For the qualitative component, nine high school students and four parents/primary caretakers of high school students participated in focus group discussions (one focus group with three teen girls and one focus group with six teen boys for the student focus groups, and one focus group with four parents for the parent focus group). The focus groups used a semi-structured format to explore three themes: learning about health, using the Internet, and determining the nature and extent of what is learned from the Internet about health and sexuality. RESULTS: The results of this study indicate that among teens who participated, a primary resource for learning about sex and obtaining sexual health information was the Internet. A popular online source for learning was Internet pornography, particularly among boys. Parents were unaware of this as well as their teens use of the Internet for learning about sex. While parents and teens were somewhat comfortable talking to each other about sex in general, parents were not a primary resource teens referred to when they had questions about sexual behavior. SIGNIFICANCE: The quantitative and qualitative components provided further insight into why and how teens are learning about sex from the Internet and how the Internet affects adolescent sexuality, sexual health and development. Results will guide the development of future research and materials provide guidance for parents and other adults in effectively helping teens navigate the benefits and dangers to adolescent health that exist in the online environment.

This groundbreaking examination of cybersex was originally published as a special issue of the journal Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity. It is a crucial resource for sex therapists, who until now had no rigorous study of the effect of online pornography on the patients they treat. It will also be of great interest to general marriage and family therapists who find themselves dealing with this issue with their clients, as well as others who are interested in the Internet as a social phenomenon. Cybersex: The Dark Side of the Force presents for the first time an empirical foundation for the discussion of cybersex compulsivity and its effect on the mental health of individuals, couples, teens, and young children.