Sexuality During Childhood and Adolescence Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Why is there limited research on childhood sexuality? Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

True or False Most young children who masturbate are sexually abused? Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Sexual Behavior During Infancy and Childhood Infant sexuality Capacity for sexual response present at birth Sexual behavior is a normal part of development Infants engage in self-pleasuring activity Unable to differentiate sexual from sensual pleasure Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Why is it important to talk to your child when they are masturbating? Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Sexual Behavior During Infancy and Childhood (cont’d.) Childhood sexuality Limited research Common behaviors at varying ages Two-three years: masturbation begins Four-seven years: sex play begins Five-seven years: marriage script enactment begins Eight-nine years: girls and boys play separately Ten-eleven years: interest in bodily changes Classroom Discussion Topic: What common patterns characterize emerging sexuality during childhood? Classroom Discussion Topic: What is the nature and meaning of sex play with friends during childhood? Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Hormones and Sexual Behavior Puberty: Onset, eight to 14 years old; two years earlier in girls Testosterone: main male sex hormone Estrogens: main female sex hormones Sex hormones are important at several stages: During prenatal period, they direct development as males or females During puberty, a surge in sex hormones ushers us into adolescence As adults, sex hormones help activate sexual behavior

Physical Changes in Adolescence (cont’d.) Primary sex characteristics of girls Thicker vaginal walls and larger uterus Vaginal secretions Menarche: average age 12 or 13 Primary sex characteristics of boys Larger prostate and seminal vesicles First ejaculation around 13 Physical changes can be sources of pride or concern Classroom Discussion Topic: How do the physical changes of adolescence affect sexuality? Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Sexual Behavior During Adolescence The sexual double standard Different standards of sexual permissiveness for women and men More restrictive standards applied to women Girls sexuality focus: relationship Dilemma to appear sexy but not “easy” Boys sexuality focus: conquest Peers reinforce aggressive and independent behaviors Classroom Discussion Topic: What behavior patterns are characteristic of teenage sexuality? Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Masturbation Increase in frequency during adolescence More common than partnered sexual activity Can serve as an important avenue for sexual expression An always available outlet A way to learn about one’s body and increase self-knowledge Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Non-Coital Sexual Expression Kissing, holding, touching, manual, and oral stimulation of genitals Oral-genital stimulation has increased among teenagers Many consider oral sex more acceptable – a way to experience sexual intimacy and maintain virginity Most are unaware of potential risks associated with oral sex Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

What are the implications of using the term virginity to mean not engaging in coitus? Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Ongoing Sexual Relationships More common at this age than in past Contemporary adolescents are most likely to be sexually intimate with someone they love or to whom they feel emotionally attached Narrowing gender gap Girls less likely to “save themselves” for marriage Boys more likely to want an affectionate relationship Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Adolescent Sexting Sending sexually suggestive photos or text messages via the Internet, cell phones, or other electronic devices Increasing among adolescents Some states have sought to define sexting as a criminal offense Sometimes involves images or messages sent between an adult and a minor Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Sexual Intercourse Premarital sex Adolescent coitus Penile–vaginal intercourse that takes place before marriage Adolescent coitus Upward trend has leveled off and somewhat decreased Age of first coitus has also decreased Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Sexual Intercourse (cont’d.) Reasons for engaging in adolescence coitus Acceleration of sex hormones Increased desire and arousability Curiosity and sense of readiness Affection for partner Push to adult behavior Peer and date pressure Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Sexual Intercourse (cont’d.) Early coitus: predisposing factors Poverty or family conflict Parental lack of education, supervision, or substance abuse Late coitus: predisposing factors Strong religious beliefs Good school performance Higher socioeconomic status High quality parent-child relationship and communication Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Homosexuality Experimental or transitory same-sex sexual contact between peers is common Some individuals begin to self-identify as lesbian, gay, and bisexual in teen years Often encounter negative societal reactions Process of reconciling their sexuality with the expectations can be a difficult Many lesbian and gay adolescents are unable to talk openly with their parents Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

The Effect of AIDS on Teenage Sexual Behavior “Personal fable” Most teens do not think they are at risk Adolescent belief in invulnerability Condoms viewed more as birth control than as protection from sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) Inconvenient Some believe they are already adequately protected from an unwanted pregnancy Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Adolescent Pregnancy Adolescent birthrates in the U.S. have declined Still an alarmingly high rate Negative consequences of teenage pregnancy More likely to have physical complications Higher prenatal and infant mortality rates Especially high risk for STIs Impact on finances and education Lower parenting quality Classroom Discussion Topic: What are the major trends in and causes and implications of teenage pregnancy in the United States? Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Adolescent Pregnancy (cont’d.) Use of contraceptives Inconsistency and/or incorrect usage Lack of adequate knowledge Misconceptions about contraceptive risks Confidentiality concerns Fear of pelvic exam Embarrassment Infrequent intercourse Difficulty communicating with partner Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

What are some strategies to reduce teenage pregnancy? Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Adolescent Pregnancy (cont’d.) Strategies to reduce teen pregnancy Free, confidential contraceptive services Compulsory national sex education curriculum Focus on shared responsibility for birth control Readily available condoms in middle schools and high schools Increased adolescent–parent communication about sex Classroom Discussion Topic: What strategies might be effective in reducing teenage pregnancy? Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Sex Education Answering children’s questions about sex Start early, ongoing discussion Share true feelings Ask open-ended questions Initiating conversations when children do not ask questions Child may not consider some aspects until they experiences them (e.g., menstruation) Classroom Discussion Topic: How can parents provide valuable and effective sex education for their children? Copyright © 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.