This book introduces a variety of personal, social, political, and ethical issues of concern to every young adult in the United States today. It examines subjects that are rarely discussed for readers of this age group, providing authoritative information on topics such as gender roles, gender development, and gender inequality; body image; sexual differentiation in humans; the range of human affectional expression; sex education; and LGBT discrimination.

1. Background and history -- 2. Problems, issues, and solutions -- 3. Perspectives -- 4. Profiles -- 5. Data and documents -- 6. Annotated bibliography -- 7. Chronology. .