Search

Going away to school can present some new sexual challenges. Here’s a get-you-started guide to grow on.

This is one of those situations that I think is telling you it’s time to start claiming – and insisting upon – your independence. I kept the title you chose for this because it’s clear you know what the problem is: control. The solution is about control, too: you taking control of your own life…

Why are we flocking to the theaters on Valentines’s Day to see a film that features an abusive relationship, and why is this film labelled as a romance?

This is a web comic by Isabella Rotman showing how to make your own strap-on harness, originally published on Oh Joy Sex Toy and republished here with permission. Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 DIY Full Cover Harness copyright Isabella Rotman 2015

What’s so scary about asking when someone else may say no? Rejection. Read on to dial down the fear factor and learn to accept no like a pro.

Many trans or gender non-conforming youth come to us looking for support they’re having difficulty finding, or don’t feel safe looking for elsewhere.

Some thoughts and tips on navigating sexuality as a fat teen, and dealing with sizeism and fatphobia.

Sometimes sex is amazing. Other times, it’s nice. Then there are the times it sucks. How do you deal, and what’s the hidden value in not-at-all-awesome sex?

How to tame those scary, growly feelings and use them for good.

A quick and approachable read, this book gives parents ten rules to help guide their talks with the youth in their life.

When people are new to sex in general, or with a new partner – in your case, both! – it’s totally typical to find they have a hard time reaching orgasm, that it happens more quickly than they’d like, or to experience other ways where sexual responses either aren’t what was expected or what they…

I am tired of disbelief. I am tired of skepticism. I am someone who does, genuinely, believe in the value of looking at things with a critical eye, of being cautious, of acknowledging that there are two sides to every story. But I am tired of it when it comes to people who have been, or are being…

I have a thing for Vincent Price. I don’t just mean that I enjoy his body of work. I mean I feel desire for his body. You may be asking what, exactly, my feelings for a deceased horror icon have to do with the work we do at Scarleteen. The answer is that it gets me thinking about desire and how even those of us who consider ourselves enlightened can fall into old traps when it comes to attraction.

1/1/2026: We are only working with writers we have already worked with in the past for our 2026 editorial year, so if you have never worked with us before, please hold off on pitching us until we announce we are open for pitches from new writers again. Thank you. Creating and publishing some of the…

As a young parent, being shamed for the decisions you have made and being stigmatized for your identity makes navigating through the world – and pregnancy and parenting – much more difficult.

In an episode of the Mtv show ‘Faking It’, the main character Amy expresses being interested in a boy. Since this comes on the heels of Amy confessing her love for her female best friend at the end of the first season, many viewers felt frustrated and confused. Wasn’t Amy a lesbian? Had she not just…

Okay, first things first. If the bullying of him and you is at this level, then it’s time to call in the administration at the school and let them know what’s happening. If there’s a teacher that you or he trusts, they might be able to help you with the process. But this is one of those times where…

I hid my fears and insecurities by desexualizing myself. Now I’m on the path of uncovering ways to unlearn ugliness as an identity.

Our rundown of do-it-yourself sex toys you can make and use with a partner.

Before I say anything else, I want to address about those feelings of shame and inadequacy you had – from the sounds of it, are still having – when your partner told you his feelings about your sex life. Someone feeling like their sexual life or interactions with someone else aren’t satisfying, or…

I am really glad to hear that you have a close relationship with your mom. That can be tricky to maintain throughout the teen years, but for many people having a close relationship with parents is important, so it is awesome that you two seem to be doing great on that front. A big part of the reason…