1. Sexuality During Childhood and Adolescence
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2. Why is there limited research on childhood sexuality?
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3. True or False Most young children who masturbate are sexually abused?
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4. 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
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5. Why is it important to talk to your child when they are masturbating?
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6. 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?
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7. 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

10. 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?
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12. 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?
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13. 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
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14. 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
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15. What are the implications of using the term virginity to mean not engaging in coitus?
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16. 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
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17. 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
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18. 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
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19. 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
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20. 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
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21. 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
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22. 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
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23. 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?
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24. 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
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25. What are some strategies to reduce teenage pregnancy?
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26. 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?
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27. 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?
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