Chapter 9 Sex Across the Life Span

Quote for the day Sexuality is a presence in our lives from the cradle to the grave. - Authors of text, p. 263

4 Universal Life Stages 1.Birth 2.Maturation 3.Marriage 4.Death

Birth and Childhood

Infancy - evidence of sexuality –In utero –Within days after birth –Infancy is filled with sensual experiences –Breast-feeding –Self-stimulation is normal

Birth and Childhood Childhood –Research on normal childhood sexual behavior by Friedrich et al., 1998

Birth and Childhood Research on the sexual behavior of K-2 children in school setting as noted by the teachers (Kaeser, DiSalvo, & Moglia, 2001). –Normal Behaviors –Yellow Flags –Red Flags –No Questions

Birth and Childhood

Four Types of Parental Attitudes Toward Sexuality

Adolescence: The Transition to Adulthood

Puberty –One of the markers of puberty is the appearance of pubic hair –Between 8-14 years of age the hypothalamus increases secretion –Early onset: Precocious puberty –Is puberty starting earlier?

Adolescence: The Transition to Adulthood Stages of Female Pubertal Development

Adolescence: The Transition to Adulthood Stages of Male Pubertal Development

Adolescence: The Transition to Adulthood Sexual behavior during adolescence –Noncoital sexual activity

Adolescence: The Transition to Adulthood Sexual behavior during adolescence –Noncoital sexual activity –Sexual Intercourse

Adolescence: The Transition to Adulthood

Sexual behavior during adolescence –Noncoital sexual activity –Sexual Intercourse –Sexual Orientation

Adolescence: The Transition to Adulthood Sexual behavior during adolescence –Noncoital sexual activity –Sexual Intercourse –Sexual orientation –Teen 1 million U.S. teens become pregnant yearly 13% of U.S. births are to teens - one of the highest in the world 8% of 14 year olds, 19% of year olds, and 22% of year olds become pregnant each year

Adulthood Transition to Maturity Issues related to singlehood, cohabitation, marriage, and divorce

Adulthood Transition to Maturity Singlehood –People are staying single longer: Staying in college longer Choosing to live together Devoting energy to education and career goals Avoiding commitment because of past disappointment Have not met Mr./Ms. Right Less social pressure to marry

Adulthood Transition to Maturity Cohabitation/Living together –72% Increase in number of people cohabitating from 1990 to 2000 –40% have children –Now seen as a step toward marriage –Ethnicity, religion and family issues –Economic and legal issues –This is the only option for gay couples in U.S.

Adulthood Transition to Maturity Marriage –Most people in every known society get married at least once –Today it is more of a choice than a necessity - as the function of the family has changed –Married people tend to be happier than singles –Quality of marital life may be declining

Adulthood Transition to Maturity Marriage (continued) –Polygamy 84% of all known societies Polygyny versus Polyandry Mormon Church officially banned in 1890

Adulthood Transition to Maturity Marriage (continued) –Polygamy –Marriage and sex Frequency varies Sexual satisfaction is most important factor in people’s happiness with marriage Quality of sexual interactions reflects the quality of their relationship: caring, respect, enjoyment

Adulthood Transition to Maturity

Marriage (continued) –Polygamy –Marriage and sex –Parenthood Having a child leads to lower happiness in life and lower marital satisfaction The happiest times for couples is the “newlywed” phase (before children) and the “empty nest” phase (after the children leave home)

Adulthood Transition to Maturity Marriage (continued) –Polygamy –Marriage and sex –Parenthood –Extramarital relationships 90% say they are always or almost always wrong Incidence of extramarital affairs Impact on marriage

Adulthood Transition to Maturity

Divorce –Attitudes toward and frequency of divorce

Adulthood Transition to Maturity Divorce –Attitudes toward and frequency of divorce –Today, half of all marriages end in divorce

Adulthood Transition to Maturity Divorce –Attitudes toward and frequency of divorce –Today, half of all marriages end in divorce –Historical perspective –Correlation between divorce and economics –Social and personal consequences –Sex after divorce –Remarriage

Aging: The Final Transition

Getting older is both a social and physical process. The needs for intimacy, excitement, and pleasure continue throughout life. Cross-cultural perspectives Obstacles to enjoyment

Aging: The Final Transition