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Chapter Six

Chapter Six. Sexuality in Childhood and Adolescence. Sexuality Throughout the Life Cycle. From birth, we are rich in sexual and erotic potential As children, the world around us shapes our views of our bodies, gender, and sexuality

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Chapter Six

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  1. Chapter Six Sexuality in Childhood and Adolescence

  2. Sexuality Throughout the Life Cycle • From birth, 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 gender roles, how we should feel about our bodies • Learning about affectionate touch: Infants need stroking and cuddling

  4. Sexuality in Childhood • Awareness of sex and sexuality begins earlier than most people realize • Masturbation is normal • About 40% of woman and 38% of men in one study remember masturbating before puberty. • Important for children to know proper names and functions of genitals

  5. The Family Context • Styles of physical expression and feelings about modesty, privacy, and nudity vary • Communicate implicit messages about sexuality to children through their expression and feelings

  6. Sexuality in Adolescence • Puberty: stage of development when body is capable of reproduction • Adolescence: the psychological state of puberty • A time of growth and confusion • Body matures faster than emotional and intellectual capabilities

  7. Puberty in Girls • Changes generally begin between ages 7 and 14 • Growth spurt • Breast development • Pubic and underarm hair • Vaginal secretions • Menarche

  8. Puberty in Boys • 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

  9. Influences on Sexual Development • Parents • Learn through observing parents’ behavior • Does not generalize to sexual orientation • Peers • Share information/misinformation • Create expectancy • Media • Significant exposure and influence

  10. Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Questioning Adolescents • Many people experience sexual fantasies concerning members of same sex • 3-10% of teenagers begin to come to terms with same-sex attraction during adolescence

  11. Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Adolescents • Often a time of great emotional pain • More likely to have attempted suicide • More likely to have been absent from school out of fear for safety • Many teens of color face the additional burden of gayness being understood as “white,” and face rejection by their ethnic and racial peers

  12. Adolescent Sexual Behavior • Hormones bring about a dramatic increase in sexual interest • Masturbation becomes more frequent • First intercourse • In the U.S., the average age for men is 16.9, and women is 17.4 years • Rates of first intercourse in high school are decreasing • Contraceptive use in this age group is increasing • 1/3 of sexually active young women become pregnant once before the age of 20 • View sex within a relationship as acceptable

  13. First Intercourse • Many experience regret later in life regarding their first intercourse • Alcohol use is a predictor of sexual activity • Poor parental supervision is a predictor of sexual activity • Socioeconomic status

  14. Teen Pregnancy • Rates of pregnancy and abortion in the U.S. are at their lowest in 60 years • 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

  15. Teen Mothers • High likelihood of living at or below poverty levels • Increase in teen mothers being unmarried • Ethnic differences in teen mothers • Higher risk of abuse • Special needs for social services

  16. Teen Fathers • Incidence is lower than teen mothers • Difficult to contribute support for children • Social support

  17. Sexuality Education • Most teenagers have pressing concerns about sexuality • Most parents favor sexuality education for their children • The subject remains controversial • Controversy over homosexuality, contraception, and condom instruction

  18. Sexuality Education: Types Comprehensive: • Abstinence-based • Abstinence-only • Abstinence-only-until-marriage

  19. Characteristics of Effective Sexuality Education Programs • A focus on reducing risky behaviors • A basis in proven theoretical approaches • A strong, clear stance on risky behavior • Providing accurate information about risks and methods • Addressing social pressures • Helping participants personalize course content

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