MCH Section member Michele Kelley recently published an article with UIC College of Education doctoral stude nt Katherine Romeo entitled Incorporating Human Sexuality into a Positive Youth Development Framework:  Implications for Community Prevention . ¹  The authors argue for a conceptualization of adolescent sexuality beyond libido and risk, toward a normative developmental asset that can be supported at the individual, relational, and collective levels of well-being, as defined by Prilleltensky and Prilleltensky.²  They call for a reframing of youth sexuality as part of a healthy identity, and promote a model of positive youth development that emphasizes self-awareness, empathy, sensitivity and responsibility for interactions with others. The article documents the need for supportive, pro-social programming across community contexts wherever youth interact, not just within schools.

1.  Romeo KE. and Kelley M.A. (2009). Incorporating Human Sexuality Content into a Positive Youth Development Framework: Implications for Community Prevention.  Children and Youth Services Review, 31:10001-1009.

2.  Prilleltensky, I., & Prilleltensky, O. (2007). Promoting well-being: Linking personal, organizational, and community change. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley.