ADOLESCENCE: Healthy Sexual Development

Youth go through the physical changes of puberty at different times. If you or your teen has questions about development, talk with your health care provider.

Help your teen make a plan to resist pressure to have sex. This can be an issue for boys and girls. Be there for your teen and provide support or assistance.

You may feel uncomfortable talking about teen development, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual pressures, teen pregnancy, or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Ask your health care provider to help you begin the discussion or to take a role in handling these topics with your child. See our Resource Section on Healthy Sexual Development - Sexuality.