title: Promoting healthy sexuality: guidelines for the school-age child and adolescent.
abstract: The purpose of this article is to provide the clinician with practical information to promote the healthy sexuality of the school-age child through adolescence. Much of the current literature related to sexuality is problem-focused; this article focuses on sexuality from a health promotion viewpoint. The development of a healthy sexuality is a life-long process with different issues and problems pertaining to each age group. Issues common to the school-age child and adolescent include changing physical characteristics and body image concerns. A set of guidelines has been developed that can be used in the clinical setting. In order to follow a holistic approach to health promotion with these age groups, the clinician must address sexuality. These guidelines will provide the information the clinician will need to initiate a discussion about sexuality. Patient education guidelines are also presented that will help the parent, child, and adolescent in sexual issues and understanding. Suggested reading materials about sexuality are also presented.
authors.affiliation: Case Western Reverse University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Finan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001634:Bibliographies as Topic; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012736:Sex Education