User:Illuminato/l

Adolescent sexuality refers to sexual feelings, behavior and development in adolescents. All "teens have sexual lives, whether with others or through fantasies." Sexuality "is a vital aspect of teens' lives. ... The question is whether they are going to have healthy experiences, at any or every level of sexual activity." In developed countries, both boys and girls are now "entering puberty at least two years earlier than previous generations. This means they are ready for sex earlier physically, but not emotionally or cognitively."

Adolescents run many risks when engaging in sexual activities including sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS and emotional distress. In the United States, most sexually active teens use at least one form of contraception, but in India most do not. In the United States the number of teenagers who have had sexual intercourse has dropped, and in Britain most teens are waiting longer beore having intercourse for the first time. In India, the number of teenagers engaging in sexual activities is on the rise, but still far less than in Western countries.

When teens engage in sexual activities that are separate from emotional intimacy they develop habits which will cause them to have trouble forming adult relationships in the future. Legal issues, such as age of consent laws, the media, religious teachings and cultural norms also influence adolescents' decisions regarding sexual activities.