1. Chapter Six Sexuality in Childhood and Adolescence

2. Sexuality Throughout the Life Cycle ► From the moment we are born, we are rich in sexual and erotic potential ► As children, the world around us shapes our views of our bodies, gender, and sexuality ► As adolescents, our education continues as learning and yearning ► As adults, we develop a potentially mature sexuality which is continually re-interpreted as we age

3. Sexuality in Infancy ► Psychosexual development begins in infancy  Learning about affectionate touch: Infants need stroking and cuddling  Infants begin to learn how they “should” feel about their bodies from parents.  Infants have been observed to have sexual arousal however, they probably cannot determine this from other forms of pleasurable feelings

4. Sexuality in Childhood ► Children become aware of sex and sexuality earlier than most people realize  Curiosity and exploration of their own (and other children’s) bodies  Viewing others genitals / playing “doctor”  Children are “students” and will explore.  Masturbation is normal. Negative responses from adults may produce guilt and anxiety in child.  Masturbation is typically ambiguous play in children  Children can learn that masturbation is an activity done in private

5. Sexuality in Childhood – Red Flags ► Distinguishing between normal and problematic behavior is a matter of degree and context of behavior. ► Persistent and intense sexual activity and can be tied to other troubling behaviors ► Often tied to other emotional problems

6. The Family Context ► Family styles of physical expression and feelings about modesty, privacy, and nudity vary ► Families communicate implicit messages about sexuality to children through their expression and feelings

7. The Family Context ► Family Nudity  Accept and respect children’s nudity – be comfortable  Do not punish or humiliate child for seeing parent nudity – remind them of the need for privacy.  Respect the child’s need for privacy – fosters child’s respect for the privacy of others.

8. The Family Context ► Expressing Affection  All children need physical affection – quantity and quality affect emotional well being  Children should be informed about what type of touching by adults is “good” and “bad” and to communicate “bad” to parents/teachers. We should listen to children and trust them.  Keep sexuality SIMPLE with children. Answer questions directly

9. Sexuality in Adolescence ► Puberty: stage of development when body is capable of reproduction ► Adolescence: the social and psychological state that occurs between the beginning of puberty and acceptance into full adulthood.  A time of growth and confusion  Body matures faster than emotional and intellectual capabilities

10. Discussion Topics ► Precocious Puberty (Read p 165-166) ► Sexualization of Girls (Read p 166) ► Nocturnal Emissions / Menses - Talking with your kids….

11. Puberty in Girls ► Pubertal changes generally begin between ages 7 and 14  Growth spurt  Breast development  Pubic and underarm hair  Vaginal secretions  Menarche

12. Puberty in Boys ► Pubertal changes generally begin between ages 9 and 16  Growth spurt  Deepening voice  Muscle-mass growth  Pubic, underarm, and facial hair  Penis and testicles grow and develop  Ejaculation of semen / nocturnal emissions

13. Physical And Hormonal Changes During Puberty

14. Influences on Psychosexual Development ► There are three general areas of influence on the psychosexual development of teens: ► Parents ► Peers ► Media ► Religiosity

15. Influences on Psychosexual Development ► Parents  Children learn from observing their parents behaviors  Observation and participation in family dynamics (ex. family nudity vs. modesty)  Parents underestimate children’s sexual activities and do not discuss them. Parents may only speak about the “Birds and Bees” once to children and not follow-up.  When parents have frequent and consistent conversations, the risk factors associated with teen sexuality are diminished.

16. Percent of Teens who talk to Parents about:

17. Influences on Psychosexual Development ► Peers  Most used source of information about sexuality for teens  Peer pressure can be powerful device in teens decision about sexual activity. There is a strong desire to “conform” with the group.  Peer rejection for girls in childhood increases the risk for early sexual activity in rejected girl, and lower self-esteem.  Higher self-esteem increases chances of early sexual activity among boys

18. Influences on Psychosexual Development ► Media  Pervasive and explicit viewing of sexual activity by teens increases the willingness of teens to experiment with sex.  Parents should help teens understand that sexuality occurs in context, that involves psychological and physical components, and entails a great deal of responsibility.  Media “could” be used as a educational tool in teaching responsible sexual behavior.

19. Figure 6.3 - When it Comes to Your/Teens’ Decisions about Sexual Activity, Who is Most Influential?

20. Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Questioning Adolescents  Many people experience sexual fantasies concerning members of same sex ► Does not always indicate a homosexual or bisexual orientation  2-10% of teenagers begin to come to terms with same-sex attraction during adolescence ► Few feel like they can talk to parents ► May be engaged in heterosexual dating and sex, but may feel ambivalent.

21. Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Adolescents  Often experience adolescence as a time of great emotional pain ► Face harassment ► More likely to have attempted suicide ► More likely to have been absent from school out of fear for safety ► Many teens of color with same-sex attraction face the additional burden of gayness being understood as “white,” and face rejection by their ethnic and racial peers  More counseling and support services are now available in some areas to support teens

22. Adolescent Sexual Behavior (See also Table 6.2, p 173) ► Hormones bring about a dramatic increase in sexual interest ► Masturbation becomes more frequent ► First intercourse  In the U.S., the average age for men’s first intercourse is 17 years. ► Social and environmental factors ► Individual characteristics

23. Teen Pregnancy ► Rates of pregnancy and abortion in the U.S. were at their lowest but increased in 2006. ► Global pregnancy rates are rising ► Difficult time in life to be pregnant due to restricted resources ► Infants of teens have heightened risk of health problems ► See Figure 6.4, 6.6, text

24. U.S. Birth Rates by Race 15-19 yrs., 2008

25. Figure 6.4 – Birth Rates for Women, Aged 15-19

26. Teen Mothers ► High likelihood of living at or below poverty levels ► Increase in teen mothers being unmarried ► Ethnic differences in teen mothers ► Higher risk poor education / completion ► Special needs for social services, programs are often underfunded.

27. Teen Fathers ► Incidence is lower than teen mothers ► Low SES increases risk ► Difficult to contribute support for children ► Social support

28. Sexuality Education ► Sexuality education is a lifelong process ► The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States  Has developed the Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education ► Developmental levels addressed by SIECUS  Early childhood  Pre-adolescence  Early adolescence  Adolescence

29. Think about it.. ► Review and discuss “Abstinence-Only vs. Comprehensive Sexuality Programs: It’s a New Day”, p. 182. ► End of Lecture