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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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?

20. Teenage Pregnancy
Over 600,000 teens aged 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

21. 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.

22. 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”

23. Sources
Office-Based Care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth Committee on Adolescents Pediatrics Jul 2013, 132 (1) ; DOI: /peds
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, Gender-Confusion-In-Children.aspx.
SIECUS. (n.d.). Retrieved October 10, 2017, from