Author Description

Perhaps in no other area are the complexities of adolescence more apparent than in the relationships experienced during this stage of life. The contributors to Personal Relationships During Adolescence analyze the ways in which these 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: Parent-teen relations, the impact of cultural diversity on teen's social development, same-sex friends, and opposite-sex friends are all explored, offering the perspective of both the researchers and the adolescents themselves. The authors investigate heterosexual, bisexual, gay and lesbian romantic relationships, adolescent cliques, and relationships involving non-kin adults. They also discuss 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 relations will find this a must-read book.