Talk:Adolescent sexuality/illuminato's version

Untitled
Adolescent sexuality is a stage of human sexuality and refers to sexual feelings, behavior and development in adolescents. Sexuality "is a vital aspect of teens' lives" The usual onset of sexual feelings is around the time of puberty. Questions of human sexuality generally and adolescent sexuality in particular are of concern to the wider society. The sexual behavior of adolescents is influenced by their culture's norms and mores, their sexual preference, and the issues of social control such as age of consent laws.

Sexual activity generally is associated with a number of risks, including sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV/AIDS) and pregnancy through failure or non-use of birth control. Particularly for adolescents, who may not be psychologically mature or independent, there are added risks of emotional distress or future poverty from teenage pregnancy.

Sexual preferences among adolescents can vary greatly from heterosexuality to homosexuality, to monosexuality, or even asexuality.

Sex Education
Sex education is a broad term used to describe education about human sexual anatomy, sexual reproduction, sexual intercourse, and other aspects of human sexual behavior. Common avenues for sex education are parents or caregivers, school programs, and public health campaigns.

Sexual education in different countries vary. For example, in France sex education has been part of school curricula since 1973. Schools are expected to provide 30 to 40 hours of sex education, and pass out condoms to students in grades eight and nine. In January, 2000, the French government launched an information campaign on contraception with TV and radio spots and the distribution of five million leaflets on contraception to high school students.

In Britain and the United States there has been a significant amount of controversy over what should and should not be taught by schools and other venues. In the United States the Bush Administration has backed abstinence-only sexual education which makes up a large part of what is taught in United States schools.

In Asia the state of sex education programs are at various stages of development. Indonesia, Mongolia, South Korea and Sri Lanka have a systematic policy framework for teaching about sex within schools. Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand have assessed adolescent reproductive health needs with a view to developing adolescent-specific training, messages and materials. India has programs that specifically aims at school children at the age group of nine to sixteen years. These are included as subjects in the curriculum and generally involves open and frank interaction with the teachers. Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan have no coordinated sex education programs.

Legal aspects of adolescent sexuality
The age of consent is the minimum age at which a person is considered to be capable of legally giving informed consent to any contract or behavior regulated by law with another person, specifically laws regulating sexual acts rather than the age of majority, age of criminal responsibility, or the marriageable age.

Sexual relations with a person under the age of consent are generally a criminal offense, with punishments ranging from token fines to life imprisonment. Many different terms exist for the charges laid and include statutory rape, illegal carnal knowledge, or corruption of a minor.