1. Childhood and Adolescent Sexuality
Chapter 8

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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”

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. 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

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

15. 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

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

17. 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

18. 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

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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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)

25. 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

26. 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

27. Figure 8.3 Sexual behaviors in adolescence and young adults.

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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

36. Adolescence: Ages 12 to 18 Contraception and Pregnancy (Cont.)
33% of 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

38. 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

39. 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

40. 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

41. 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

42. 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

43. 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 , 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

44. 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

45. 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