Sexuality in Childhood & Adolescence Presented by: Kyla, Candice, Royce, Diana & Brandon

Infancy & Sexual Response (Ages 0-2) BOYS: Sonograms have shown erections in utero (the womb) This begins a pattern of erections GIRLS: Include vaginal lubrication + genital swelling Not easily as detected BOTH: Male & female infants experience orgasm

Childhood Sexuality (Ages 3-11) Children become aware of sex & sexuality early Children disguise their interest rather than risk disapproval As a part of normative childhood development, children engage in self-stimulatory behavior, demonstrate interest in sexual topics, reveal their bodies + sexual parts to adults or children . Also show interest in viewing the body parts of others

Controversial Current Topic Some argue that children are born being either male or female BUT science says otherwise! Genetics & hormonal factors → gender identity Assigned gender ≄ equal gender identity Children (4yrs old) already have good sense of their gender identity For children who are in conjunction with their assigned gender Sexual attractions w/ same sex are a part of normal sexual develop. But for 2-10% attraction can grow

Curiosity & Sex Play Age 3 ; children begin to explore their bodies Roleplay includes looking at each other’s genitals Games usually involves the same sex Consistent with healthy psychological development Satisfying curiosity increases likelihood of being comfortable about the body during adult years

Masturbation & Permission to Feel Pleasure Considered common and harmless childhood behavior Discovery of pleasure associated with genital play Stigma attached because of parent’s reaction Conceal masturbatory play; Ashamed? Masturbation is acceptable but should be done privately

Sexuality in Adolescence (Ages 12-19) Biological Changes Puberty: is the stage of human development when the body becomes capable of reproduction. Psychological Changes Adolescence: is the social and psychological state that occurs between the beginning of puberty and acceptance into full adulthood.

Hormonal Development Which Hormone? - Gonadotropin The Hypothalamus – Its function: Increases the secretions which stimulates the pituitary gland Pituitary Gland - Its Function: releases large amounts of Gonadotropin Hypothalamus increases the secretions that causes the pituitary gland to release large amounts of hormones called gonadotropins into your bloodstream. This whole process stimulates the Gonads

Puberty Differences Girls Boys Estrogen causes Menstruation Physical Signs: Breast development, growth of pubic hair, underarm hair, onset of vaginal mucus secretion, and acne. Boys Testosterone causes sperm in testicles Physical Signs: Testicles increase in size, pubic hair, hair everywhere, penis growth, voice changes, and acne.

Precocious Puberty & Its Effects Precocious Puberty: refers to the appearance of physical and hormonal signs of pubertal development at an earlier age than is considered typical: before age 7 in girls and before age 9 in boys. Girls: No underlying medical problems Boys: It's usually associated with a medical problem that can be most likely inherited from Father to Son Precocious Puberty Main Concern: its effects on psychological and emotional trauma on younger girls. -Loose freedom of being a child -Feel forced to act a certain way -Is introduced into sexual behavior at a rapid state much quicker than the mind can handle

Psychosexual Development of Adolescents Sexual Behaviors cannot be controlled in Adolescents We can Only Influence Healthy Sexuality Some Effects Include: -A lot of Confusion -Struggling to Understand Sexual Feelings for Each Other There are a lot of factors that influence sexual behavior for example: Parental Influence Peer Influence The Media Religiosity

Parental Influence on Sexual Behaviors Most Learned Behavior is Non-verbal Monkey See, Monkey Do. Parents are Too Afraid of Giving Too Much Information to Child Therefore: Results Into Wishful Thinking and They Stay Silent Children’s Embarrassment Will Not Ask Curious Questions or Thoughts Little Communication from Parents Leads to Teenagers Having Little Knowledge About Sexuality Major Consequences Can Occur or Are More Likely To Happen

Peer Influence on Sexual Behaviors Our Peers Put A Lot Of Unseen Pressure For Example: Boys Encourage Boys to Be Sexually Active The Social Effects on Teen Sexuality Are Strong Teens Are Likely to Be More Sexually Active If: Best Friends Are Sexually Active, Older Friends, Being in a Romantic Relationship, Use of Alcohol, Use of Drugs, and Other Risky Behaviors

The Media on Sexual Behaviors Media: PORN, Models on Instagram, and Any Sexually Advertised Material The Minds of Adolescent Teenagers Respond in Various Ways to this Content Can Result to Risky Sexual Behavior that Can Lead to Issues in the Future Block or Prevent the Media This is the Wrong Approach Instead Balance of Healthy Information Must Be Communicated More Often

Religion on Sexual Behaviors Affects Our Sexual Behavior But Little Is Known to Our Attitudes About Sex College Students with Strong Beliefs in Religion Are More Likely To: Stay Conservative to Sexual Behaviors & Have Fewer Partners

Questioning Adolescents Gay, Lesbian, and Questioning Adolescents. Very important and vulnerable time Very few experience a trouble-free, anxiety-free adolescence. For 2-10% of population, individuals begin realizing romantic attraction to same sex in adolescence. Questioning Individuals who are examining sexual orientation during this time of life Some gay and lesbian adolescents usually have hetereosexual dating experiences

Questioning Individuals Society and the LGBT Community Society generally has difficulty dealing with adolescent sexuality Accepting gay, lesbian, or bisexual adolescents especially problematic LGBT Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender More understanding and acceptance of homosexuality nowadays More counseling and support services available However, many LGBT individuals still face ridicule and rejection Homophobia Assumed heterosexuality, or “heteronormativity” of society results in homophobia

Questioning Individuals School Environment and Support Decline in anti-LGBT language over years Safer school climate Due to availability of LGBT school-based resources and support Home Environment and Family Life Very few gay and lesbian teens feel comfortable talking to parents about their sexual orientation Secrecy, suffering, shame Isolation, absenteeism from school, lower grades, self-mutilation, sexual abuse, drug and alcohol problems, suicide ideation (2011 National School Climate Survey, 2012) Developing mature sexual identity more difficult for people of color

Adolescent Sexual Behavior Hormonal changes during puberty lead to a dramatic increase in sexual interest Masturbation Children will most likely start once hormonal and physical changes of puberty begin. Provides release of sexual tension Opportunity to learn about our own sexual functioning More oftenly discussed by males Motivations for Sexual Activity Curiosity, pleasure, desire Why are teens waiting longer to have sex? More cautious, aware of STI’s, busy, or postpone for a quality sexual experience First Intercourse What is it? Definition depends on age, gender, and factors like orgasm, giving/receiving stimulation Sexual Debut What is it? What is its significance?

Teenage Pregnancy Over 600,000 teens aged 15-19 get pregnant each year in US. Teenage pregnancy causes many obstacles in life. Teenage Mothers Most pressing need: health care and education Teenage female not fully developed yet Education to socio-economic problems Teenage Fathers Roots from poverty, lack of education, delinquent behavior

Sexuality Education U.S. - Since 1981, from Reagan Administration to George W. Bush Admin: focused abstinence only sex ed. Obama Administration reversed sex ed. into teenage pregnancy and STI prevention programs.

Expanding Sexual Education Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) developed the Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education “...should assist young people in developing a positive view of sexuality”

Sources Office-Based Care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth Committee on Adolescents Pediatrics Jul 2013, 132 (1) 198-203; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2013-1282 Yarber, William L., and Barbara Werner Sayad. Human Sexuality: Diversity in Contemporary America. McGraw-Hill Education, 2016. “Gender Identity Development in Children.” HealthyChildren.org, 2015, www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/Pages/Gender-Identity-and- Gender-Confusion-In-Children.aspx. SIECUS. (n.d.). Retrieved October 10, 2017, from http://www.siecus.org/