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. Sexual Needs in Infancy
 Humans are capable of experiencing
sensual and sexual pleasure from birth to
death.
 Infants thrive when….
 Physical bonding is established early.
 They are breastfed.
 They are picked up gently and spoken to
softly.
 Other forms of physical touch are present
(kissing and holding).
 Harry Harlow’s research
 Attachment

4. Sexuality in Infancy
 Psychosexual development begins
in infancy
 Learning begins on gender roles, how
we should feel about our bodies
 Learning about affectionate touch:
Infants need stroking and cuddling
 Psychosexual stages from Chapter
5

5. Sexual Responses in Infants
 Erections begin in infancy for males
 By 10 months of age infants
frequently explore their genitals
 Patterns of sexual dysfunction can
develop due to unmet sexual needs

6. 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
 Masturbation is normal
 About 40% of woman and 38% of men in one study
remember masturbating before puberty. Children
become aware of sex and sexuality earlier than
most people realize
 Important for children to know proper names
and functions of genitals

7. Sexual Responses In Children
Self-exploration is normal and will facilitate
healthy sexuality. It should not be condoned.
Negative reinforcement of a behavior that is
pleasurable, creates confusing and mixed
messages.
 By age 3, children understand the concept of
public versus private behavior.
 Children 6-12 years understand the difference
between masculine and feminine.

8. 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

9. Childhood Victimization
 Leads to a variety of negative health
& behavioral consequences:
 Prostitution
 Promiscuity
 Teenage pregnancy

10. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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
 3-10% 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

15. 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

16. 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’s first
intercourse is 16.9, and women’s 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
 Teens view sex within a relationship as
acceptable

17. First Intercourse
 Many individuals 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. Teen Fathers
 Incidence is lower than teen mothers
 Difficult to contribute support for children
 Social support
 Ethnic Differences

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

22. Sexuality Education: Types
 Abstinence-based
 Abstinence-only
 Abstinence-only-until-marriage
 Comprehensive

23. Characteristics of Effective
Sexuality Education Programs
 A focus on reducing risky behaviors (those
which lead to unintended pregnancy or
infection)
 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