1. Sexuality Through the Lifespan

2. Early Childhood (birth-3yrs.)
Learns about love and trust through touching and holding
Sucking (need for oral satisfaction)
Boys: erections of penis
Girls: vaginal lubrication
Gender identity develops (child knows “I am boy” or “I am girl”)

3. Early Childhood cont.
Sex role conditioning (boys/girls treated differently)
Exploration of own body (hands, feet, genitals, etc.)
Toilet training
Curiosity about differences between boys’ and girls’ bodies
Curiosity about parents’ bodies

4. Late Childhood (4-8yrs.) Childhood sexual play (i.e. doctor)
Sex role learning: how to behave like a boy or girl
Learns sex words: “bathroom vocabulary”
Asks questions about pregnancy and birth
Begins to distinguish acceptable and not acceptable behavior
Possibility of masturbation

5. Late Childhood cont. Becomes modest about own body
Media influences understanding of male/female family roles

6. Early Adolescence (9-11yrs.)
Puberty begins (growth of genitals, breast development, etc.)
Possibility of masturbation
Closeness of same sex friends
Possibility of body exploration with others
Possibility of menarche

7. Adolescence (12-18 yrs.) Pubertal changes occur
Menstruation or sperm production
Possibility of masturbation
Pleasure from kissing and petting
Greater awareness of being attracted to people of same sex, opposite or both
Possibility of sexual intercourse or outercourse

8. Adolescence cont. Possibility of pregnancy or impregnating
Possibility of contraception and “safe- sex” decisions
Strong need for independence

9. Young Adulthood (19-30yrs)
Possibility of intercourse or outercourse
Possibility of mate selection
Decision making about partnerships, marriage, family life and careers
Possibility of masturbation

10. Young Adulthood cont.
Possibility of pregnancy, childbirth and parenting
Possibility of contraception and safer-sex decisions
Possibility of ending a relationship

11. Adult (31-45 yrs) Possibility of intercourse or outercourse
Possibility of mate selection
Maintaining relationships
Possibility of masturbation
Possibility of parenting responsibilities (sex ed.of own children)

12. Adult cont. Possibility of pregnancy and childbirth
Decision making about contraception and safer-sex
Possibility of grand parenting
Possibility of ending a relationship

13. Adult (46-64) Menopause Possibility of grand parenting
Possibility of intercourse or outercourse
Possibility of mate selection
Possibility of masturbation
Possibility of contraception and safer-sex decisions
Possibility of divorce or death of a loved one

14. Adult (65-death) Body still responds sexually, but more slowly
Possibility of grand parenting
Need for physical affection
Possibility of masturbation
Possibility of mate selection
Possibility of death of a loved one