Issues Related to Adolescent Sexuality and Role of Socio-cultural Factors in Sexual Behaviors among Adolescents in India

Abstract

Adolescence is considered very important phase of an individual’s life as it is a transition from childhood to adulthood. During this phase, an individual gains physical (both in terms of growth and maturation of brain and body), sexual and social maturity by virtue of a number of internal and external factors. The internal factors consist of the hormonal and biological changes that our body undergoes in this transition phase, whereas external factors consist of the socio-dynamic factors that one experience during this sensitive phase.This article mainly focuses on the sexual development, orientation, behavior and knowledge during ‘Adolescence’ and how the prevailing social norms and culture affect adolescent sexuality and behavior.