Personal Relationships During Adolescence

The ways in which critical interpersonal bonds are forged and maintained are the focus of this interdisciplinary volume. Parent-teenager relations, the impact of cultural diversity on social development, cliques and both same-sex and opposite-sex friendships are among the topics explored. Examining the nature and impact of various adolescent personal relationships, the contributors also explore heterosexual, bisexual and homosexual romantic involvements, and young people′s relationships with non-kin adults.

Educators will find much useful information in Personal Relationships During Adolescence. It offers insights for program and curriculum planning and suggests numerous topics for stimulating discussions with teens. It also raises provocative issues about how the developmental needs of youth can be served more effectively by families, communities, and educators. --Family Life Educator "Personal relationships During Adolescence marks the launching of adolescent personal relationships as a field. Rather than a cohesive or exhaustive book, this book is a collection of high-quality chapters. The book holds the potential to define personal relations as an integrated line of study that serves to develop theory and research beyond contextual boundaries." Journal of Marriage and the Family The contributors to Personal Relationships During Adolescence analyze the ways in which critical interpersonal bonds are forged and maintained by presenting the current works of leading scholars and professionals. The relationships discussed are as diverse as the distinguished authors studying them: The parent-teen connection; the impact of cultural diversity on teens′ social development; same-sex friends as well as opposite-sex friends during adolescence; heterosexual, bisexual, gay and lesbian romantic relationships; adolescent crowds (or cliques); and relationships involving non-kin adults. The authors also explore conceptual issues that cut across relationships and the problem of integrating the views of both individuals in a relationship. Researchers and students in the areas of adolescence, close relationships, social and personality development, and family relationships will find this a must-read book.