Getting to know the "other": The characteristics and developmental significance of other-sex relationships in adolescence

Previous research has provided descriptions of the changes occurring in the adolescent social network, particularly as these changes relate to the ons et of heterosocial relationships. However questions regarding the character istics that distinguish among the various types of other-sex relationships and regarding the function of these various relationships for adolescent so cial and emotional development remain to be examined. In this article, poss ible functions of and challenges associated with the onset of other-sex rel ationships are explored. In addition, methodological challenges associated with studying other-sex relationships during adolescence are described.