Childhood and Adolescent Sexuality Chapter 8

Beginnings: Birth to Age 2 Physical Development Psychosexual Development Sexual Behavior

Beginnings: Birth to Age 2 Physical Development Many behaviors are due to curiosity; not to be termed “sexual” Male fetuses and newborns are capable of erections Female newborns are capable of vaginal lubrication Young children are capable of orgasm, although young boys do not ejaculate

Beginnings: Birth to Age 2 Psychosexual Development Mother-child bond: assists child in obtaining food, warmth, and anxiety reduction Infants need physical affection, warmth, and security from caregivers After 24 months, gender identity is in place Gender constancy will take a little longer

Beginnings: Birth to Age 2 Sexual Behavior: Curiosity Children are learning about their bodies and how to control them Penile and clitoral erections, and vaginal lubrication may all occur Self-stimulation is common after 3-4 months; frequency varies This is a soothing and tension reducing behavior; not to reach orgasm

Early Childhood: Ages 2 to 5 Physical Development Psychosexual Development Sexual Behavior Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes

Early Childhood: Ages 2 to 5 Physical Development Critical time period to learn the basic physical skills we use in life Continued learning about the body, how it functions, and how to control it

Early Childhood: Ages 2 to 5 Psychosexual Development Interest and questioning nature about the genitals, bodily wastes Discovering what it is to be a “girl” and “boy”

Early Childhood: Ages 2 to 5 Sexual Behavior Girls and boys self-stimulate, although reports indicate boys do so more than girls More common at this age than in later childhood; increases again after puberty Parental reaction is important; disapproval may lead to shame of self rules of appropriate conditions should be provided

Early Childhood: Ages 2 to 5 Sexual Behavior (Cont.) Child sex play may involve: Exposing genitals Undressing and touching Asking questions Rub bodies against each other Often with same sex child

Early Childhood: Ages 2 to 5 Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Learn genitals are a unique part of the body and there are privacy issues Boys are taught the name penis for their focus of sexual pleasure Girls are not taught about their focus of sexual pleasure (clitoris) Girls are often taught incorrect terms for their genitals

Middle Childhood to Preteen: Ages 6 to 12 Physical Development Psychosexual Development Sexual Behavior Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Sexuality and Relationships

Middle Childhood to Preteen: Ages 6 to 12 Physical Development External signs of puberty begin around ages 9 to 10 Girls: breast buds, pubic hair, menarche Boys: pubic hair and semenarche , frequent erections to various stimuli

Figure 8.1 This graph illustrates the average ages when boys and girls go through the major bodily changes of puberty.

Middle Childhood to Preteen: Ages 6 to 12 Psychosexual Development Socialization about acceptable sexual behaviors Bodily privacy becomes a concern Sexual interest and activity increases throughout this time period

Middle Childhood to Preteen: Ages 6 to 12 Sexual Behavior Curiosity about others’ genitals Age of sexual discovery; learn about intercourse, taboos, prejudices

Middle Childhood to Preteen: Ages 6 to 12 Sexual Behavior (Cont.) Masturbation: at end of time period, most are able to stimulate to orgasm Boys: often learn from peers Girls: often learn by accident Both boys and girls exhibit wide range of same-sex behavior

Middle Childhood to Preteen: Ages 6 to 12 Relationships with Parents and Caregivers Parents can become upset and confused about child sex play Peers teach acceptable sexual principles; typically same-sex peer groups and experimentation; other-sex peers begin to be seen as potential boy/girlfriends; may experience early sexual contact Sibling/Relative sexual contact may occur

Adolescence: Ages 12 to 18 Physical Development Psychosexual Development Sexual Behavior Influences Contraception, Pregnancy, and Abortion Sexually Transmitted Infections

Adolescence: Ages 12 to 18 Begins after puberty, ends with identity establishment in adulthood Period of physical, emotional, and cognitive change Peer relationships, dating, sexuality all increase in importance Many first experience heterosexual intercourse Sexual orientation often is discovered

Adolescence: Ages 12 to 18 Physical Development Body matures and establishes reproductive ability Puberty typically begins around: 8-13 for girls; menarche mean is 12 9-14 for boys; semenarche mean is 13 Changes in cardiovascular, energy, sexual desire, mood, personality Can be an awkward stage for many

Adolescence: Ages 12 to 18 Physical Development: Females Develop breasts Pubic hair Rounding of hips and physique in general Increased estrogen Oily skin, fat deposits, sweating, bodily odors Cognitions regarding menarche are going to vary depending on social reactions

Adolescence: Ages 12 to 18 Physical Development: Males Growth spurts (can grow 5-6 inches/year) and increased appetite Increased testosterone Scrotum darkens; testes & penis enlarge Pubic hair, deepening of voice Adult physique Frequent spontaneous erections Nocturnal emissions

Adolescence: Ages 12 to 18 Psychosexual Development: Early Adolescence Supportive friendships are critical to healthy well-being Cliques are common Girls’ body image tends to improve through adolescence, boys’ body image worsens (the reverse as each grows older)

Adolescence: Ages 12 to 18 Psychosexual Development: Middle Adolescence (14-16) Period of trying different roles Experimentation with intimacy and sexual behaviors Exclusivity in relationships increases Informal dating, group dating Difficult time for homosexual adolescents; GLB youth with supportive families have better outcomes

Adolescence: Ages 12 to 18 Sexual Behavior According to National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior, today’s adolescents more likely to abstain or act responsibly about sexual behavior than media suggest Masturbation: increases sharply activity to achieve orgasm; decreases with partnered sex

Figure 8.3 Sexual behaviors in adolescence and young adults.

Adolescence: Ages 12 to 18 Conflicting definitions of abstinence SIECUS promotes abstinence until ready for relationships and consequences Related factors: live with both biological parents, connected to family, discussed it with parents, higher intelligence Sexual Contact: Kissing and Petting 73% of girls and 60% of boys age 13 have kissed 20% of boys and 35% of girls age 13 have experienced breast touching

Adolescence: Ages 12 to 18 Sexual Contact: Oral Sex More oral sex than intercourse for current teens; it is viewed as less risky 54% of girls 15-19 55% of boys 15-19 Contrary to popular perception, research shows oral sex more common in adolescent couples after intercourse Sexual Contact: Anal Sex Adolescents who’ve had penile-vaginal intercourse more likely to engage in anal sex

Adolescence: Ages 12 to 18 Sexual Contact: close to half of American students in grades 9-12 have had sexual intercourse; prevalence higher among Black (65%) and Hispanic (49%) students than White students (42%); steady decline in teens engaging in intercourse since 1988 Sexual Contact: Heterosexual Intercourse Most boys (90%) wanted their first intercourse; mostly due to curiosity, also affection; 0.3% forced Most girls (70%) wanted their first intercourse; most due to affection, also curiosity; 4% forced

Adolescence: Ages 12 to 18 Sexual Contact: Same-Sex Sexual Behavior Same-sex contact is common at this age 10-13% unsure about their orientation 1-6% are homosexual or bisexual 8-12% had sexual contact with same-sex partners Relatively uncommon in adolescence; increased in older age groups Sexual Contact: Other Sexual Situations Adult sexual variations may begin here

Adolescence: Ages 12 to 18 Ethnic and Racial Differences in Sexual Activity African American males more likely to lose their virginity young and have more lifetime partners than non-African American males Females tend to have sex later than males regardless of racial group

Adolescence: Ages 12 to 18 Influences Peers: perceptions of peer behavior impact sexual behavior; lessened with strong family ties Parents: if moderately strict and open climate, tend to delay intercourse and use contraception; mainly mothers discuss sex Religion: if religious, tend to delay and have fewer partners

Adolescence: Ages 12 to 18 Contraception, Pregnancy, and Abortion 80% of U.S. teens use contraception for first sexual intercourse; condoms most popular The U.S. has the highest pregnancy, childbearing rates of all developed countries Factors in adolescent contraceptive use: good relationship with mom Poor use factors: early intercourse, under 17, unstable relationship, homosexual

Adolescence: Ages 12 to 18 Contraception and Pregnancy Teen pregnancy rates have decreased recently, due to increased contraceptive use; 75%+ are not planned Many problems for teenage mothers: lower birth-weight babies, difficult labors, drop out of school, poorer health, welfare, children have poorer health and more behavioral and educational problems

Adolescence: Ages 12 to 18 Contraception and Pregnancy (Cont.) 33% of 15-18 year old pregnancies were aborted; exact percentage varies by state Black teens have highest pregnancy and abortion rates Latino teens have the highest birthrate Unmarried mothers and their children (regardless of race) are the most likely population segment to live in poverty

Adolescence: Ages 12 to 18 Sexually Transmitted Infections Chlamydia and gonorrhea higher in 15 to 19-year old females than any other age group 15 to 24-year olds acquire approximately 50% of all new sexually transmitted infections

What Children Need to Know: Sexuality Education Why Sexuality Education is Important Media and peers often are primary sources of information; parents and teachers may be uncomfortable and avoid the topic Sexuality education does not cause teens to become sexual earlier, or increase sexual behaviors

What Children Need to Know: Sexuality Education The History of Sexuality Education in the U.S. Sexuality education increased in the early 1900s to decrease STI rates The U.S. has opposition to sex education: Sex is private, not for kids, & discussed within religion and moral beliefs Public schools can’t discuss religion and would provide implicit permission if sex was discussed

What Children Need to Know: Sexuality Education Sexuality Education Today Currently, most states recommend or require sex education in public schools, although the content varies by state Sexuality courses are also offered at colleges and universities Many goals of sexuality education Comprehensive sexuality education tries to help students develop positive views of sexuality

What Children Need to Know: Sexuality Education Evolving Goals of Sex Education Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education present 4 main goals: Provide accurate information Provide opportunity to explore their sexual attitudes Help development of interpersonal skills Help development of responsible sexuality

What Children Need to Know: Sexuality Education Abstinence-Only Sexuality Education Programs Variety of abstinence-based programs; tend to exaggerate the danger and negative aspects of sexuality From 1996-2010, federal funding for abstinence-based sexuality education grew significantly Federal funds could only be used for sexuality education if programs taught abstinence only until marriage

What Children Need to Know: Sexuality Education Sexuality Education Programs Most Americans believe more than abstinence should be included Much evidence suggests the abstinence-only programs do more harm than good 80%+ present incorrect information They do not significantly change values, attitudes, or intentions about premarital sex Produce poor contraceptive use rates

What Children Need to Know: Sexuality Education Effects and Results of Sexuality Education Programs Sexuality program effectiveness measures include vaginal intercourse, pregnancy, and contraceptive use Comprehensive sexuality programs are most successful