7 Sexuality

Sexual Attitudes and Behavior Percentage of Youth Who Say They Have Had Sexual Intercourse at Various Ages Fig. 7.2

Sexual Attitudes and Behavior  Sexual Scripts  A stereotyped pattern of role prescriptions for how individuals should sexually behave.  Females and males have been socialized to follow different sexual scripts.  Risk Factors For Sexual Problems

Sexual Minority Attitudes and Behavior  Gay or Lesbian Identity and Disclosure  Parents are seldom the first person told  Mothers are more likely than fathers to know  A friend is likely to be the first person told  Peer Relations  Discrimination and Bias

Sexual Attitudes and Behavior  Self-Stimulation  Part of the sexual activity of virtually all adolescents and one of their most frequent sexual outlets  Contraceptive Use  Adolescents are increasing their use of contraceptives, but large numbers still do not use them

Adolescent Sexual Problems  Incidence of Adolescent Pregnancy  Why are U.S. adolescent pregnancy rates so high?  Childbearing regarded as adult activity in Europe and Canada.  Unclear messages about sexuality  Lack of family planning services

Adolescent Pregnancy  US Adolescent Pregnancy Rates Are Decreasing  Fear of STDs  School/community health classes  Abortion

Adolescent Pregnancy  Consequences of Adolescent Pregnancy  Adolescent mothers often drop out of school  “We are children having children” 17 year old mother

Adolescent Pregnancy  Cognitive Factors  Adolescents may see themselves as omnipotent and indestructible  Adolescents as Parents  Lack of prenatal care  Lack parenting skills  Lower Incomes

Adolescent Pregnancy Births to Married and Unmarried 15- to 19-Year-Old Girls from 1950 through 2000 Fig. 7.5

Adolescent Pregnancy  Reducing Adolescent Pregnancy  Sex Education and Family Planning  Access to contraceptives  Life Options Approach  Broad Community Involvement

Forcible Sexual Behavior and Sexual Harassment  Forcible Sexual Behavior  Rape  Acquaintance Rape  Sexual Harassment  Quid Pro Quo  Hostile Environment

Forcible Sexual Behavior and Sexual Harassment Completed Rape and Attempted Rape of College Women According to Victim-Offender Relationship Fig. 7.7

Sexual Literacy  Sources of Sex Information  “I learned about sex in the streets. There, and from Playboy and other sex magazines.” - 14-year-old boy

Sex Education in the Schools  Some topics are taught earlier.  More educators promote abstinence.  Percentage or teachers who support teaching about birth control, abortion, and sexual orientation declined.