Sex education should articulate values as well as provide sexual information. A biomorphic explanation that stresses organic needs alone is insufficient for adolescents trying to cope with mature needs and emotions; instead, a psycho-organic-ethical foundation dealing with love and commitment is needed. (PP)

Argues for a view of adolescence as deriving from the nature of the interaction of adolescent thought and action in a social setting. Suggests the necessity for rethinking current definitions of adult as well as adolescent development and calls for a change in ways both groups are educated. (RC)

Outlines adolescent self-concept as a method for understanding the adolescent experience and major controversies involved in this age span. Defines adolescence and reviews theoretical understanding of adolescent self-concept. General issues regarding cognition are discussed. A model of the boundary organization of adolescent self-concept is…

Compared families with an adolescent girl who scored high on maturity, with families with an adolescent girl who scored low. Adolescents in the high scoring group came from families described as flexible and trusting. The high scoring adolescents were less likely to be triangled into the marital relationship. (Author)

Administered three self-concept instruments to 374 students in grades 7, 9, and 11. By using total scores as well as subscale scores, indications were obtained of global self-concept as well as perceptions of various dimensions of self. Data indicated significant sex, race, grade level, and social class differences. (RC)

Views delinquent behavior as a defense against low self-esteem brought on by poor performance in school. This contention was tested for boys in two age groups (11 to 14, and 15 to 18 years). Findings supported the study's view for older boys but not for the younger age group. (APM)

A simulated peer-counseling situation was used to assess decision making among 108 adolescents in grades 7 through 12. As grade level increased, adolescents significantly more often mentioned potential risks and future consequences of decisions; recognized and treated vested interests with caution; and suggested an independent professional opinion…

The Career Maturity Inventory Scale was used to investigate the vocational maturity of emotionally maladjusted and well-adjusted high school students. Results indicated a significant difference in career maturity between the two groups. Sex, class, and race differences were also examined. (RC)

Tested the individual characteristics and deviant peer association theoretical models of friends' influence on the development of delinquency in disruptive boys. Found that moderately disruptive boys with aggressive-disturbing friends were more delinquent at age 13 than other subgroups of moderately disruptive boys. Highly disruptive and…

Notes that effective staff development and positive youth development practice share many philosophical and structural similarities. Examines the relationship between youth and staff development and the long-term implications of organizational commitment to the youth-serving movement's newest paradigm-positive youth development. (EV)

Using longitudinal analysis, discusses observed differences among unemployed adults, older youth, and early school-leavers (N=104). Focuses on issues surrounding self-esteem and the identification of mediators and moderators for specific populations. Evidence suggests that good psychological health contributed to gaining employment. (RJM)

Focal theory is a framework for looking at psychosocial and leisure transitions in middle and later adolescence. Using cross-sectional survey data, found few gender differences in age-related relational transitions, but gender differences were apparent in shifting focuses of leisure involvement with age. Findings suggest a linkage between…

Investigated the relationship of student exposure to selected developmental assets with indicators of thriving, using more reliable measures than previously reported. Data collected using the Youth Supplement Survey among diverse 6th-12th graders indicated that most students experienced only 3 of 12 assets. The more assets students reported, the…

Describes typical transitions during Montessori's third plane of development, focusing on how the educational environment can offer a curriculum consonant with development. Describes how contemporary Erdkinder models at middle and high school levels have incorporated work on the land and apprentice learning to meet adolescents' needs/interests.…

Reviews volume on social contexts' influence on individual adolescent development. Describes book's four sections: (1) pathways in adolescence and processes that enhance or inhibit developmental continuity; (2) how social contexts specifically affect African American adolescents; (3) effects of interrelations among contexts; and (4) intervention…