Module 7: Lifespan View of Sexuality Flashcards
is sexuality the same throughout life
no
when is infancy
first year of life
when does the sexual response system begin to function
before birth
when do babies begin to have erections (male: penile, female: clitoral)
- in utero or infancy
- may be born with them or have them during the first few weeks
why do babies get erections
- response to stimulation
- NOT because of sexual arousal
why is it important for parents and caretakers to show physical affections and emotional support to infants
to create a basis for security and trust necessary for future intimate relationships
describe pelvic thrusting in infancy
- infants will thrust their pelvis forward as an expression of affection and/or excitement
- observed in infants at 8-10 months
when does touching and genital play begin
6-8 months
why do infants touch there genitals
- exploration of body through touch
- discovering stimulation causes pleasurable feelings
- NOT for sexual arousal
why is it important for parents to not overreact to infants touching their genitals
teaches shame and anxiety about that aspect of their body
what should parents do if they observe their child touching their genitals in public
- ignore it
- gently redirect them to something else
when is childhood
ages 2-12 years (ends at start of puberty)
is it normal for children to touch themselves and visually examine their own and other’s bodies
yes
why do children touch themselves and visually examine their own and other’s bodies
- exploring their body
- trying to understand why their body may look different to others
- NOT for sexual reasons
what percent of children aged 2-5 touch their sex parts in public
30%
describe the trend of children touching their sex parts in public as they age
decreases with age
what percent of children aged 2-5 touch their sex parts at home
78%
describe the trend of children touching their sex parts at home as they age
decreases with age
what percent of children aged 10-12 use words that describe sex acts
28%
describe the trend of children using words that describe sex acts as they age
increases with age
what percent of children aged 2-5 kiss other children not in the family
63%
describe the trend of children kissing other children not in the family as they age
decreases with age
what percent of children aged 10-12 are shy about undressing
32%
describe the trend of children being shy about undressing as they age
increases with age
what percent of children aged 2-5 “play doctor” with other children
53%
describe the trend of children “playing doctor” with other children as they age
decreases with age
list tips for parents regarding their child’s sexual behavior
- never respond negatively to typical infant and childhood behavior
- respond to a child’s question directly and honestly, and give only information requested
- respect their privacy
- help them understand that such sexual behaviors are private and not done publicly
how can you tell the difference between normal childhood sex play and abuse
- it is not always easy
- look at multiple signs (physical, behavioral, emotional)
list emotions that may become prevalent if a child is being sexually abused
- depression
- listlessness (no energy or excitement)
- withdrawing
- aggression
why do many children exhibit aggression if they are being abused
expression of feeling out of control
what are some signs that MAY point towards a child being abused
- forcing sex play with another child with a greater than 3-year age difference
- constant touching of adult’s genitals
- regressive behaviors: less independence, bed wetting
- physical signs: bruising, bleeding (especially in sexual organ areas)
how would you teach a child about the difference between “good touching” and “bad touching”
- teach consent
- should never be touched in a way that makes you feel bad
- swimsuit rule: people shouldn’t touch you in places that are covered by a swimsuit
when is adolescence
- between puberty and adulthood
- 12 to 22
when is preadolescence
9 to 13
describe behaviors that occur during preadolescence
- same-sex best friend
- sex-segregated groups
- girls are “dorks” and boys are “gross”
- increasingly preoccupied and self-conscious about body and needing peer approval
what do adolescents become increasingly aware of
- their own and others’ sexuality
- physical appearance
- gender identity
- sexual orientation
how do physical changes begin during adolescence
the hypothalamus tells the pituitary gland to release gonadotropins which tell testicles/ovaries to produce sex hormones
what physical changes occur during adolescence in boys
- growth of pubic, underarm, and facial hair
- deepened voice
- enlarging of penis and testicles
- testicles begin the production of sperm
- prostate gland and seminal vesicles begin to function, making ejaculation possible
- semenarche occurs
define semenarche
- first ejaculation
- when fertility begins for boys
- at 12-13 y/o on average
what physical changes occur during adolescence in girls
- pubic and underarm hair grow
- ovaries increase estrogen production
- hair darkens
- breasts begin to grow
- menarche occurs
- growth spurt that is faster than boys
- enlargement of genital area
- body image becomes very important
define breast buds
- the first development of breast tissue
- firm
- marble-sized
- right behind the nipple
when do women typically stop growing in height
within 2 years of their first period
how many normal weight adolescent girls go on a diet
1/3
how much more likely are women to have eating disorders than men
2-3x
what psychological changes occur during adolescence
- increasing independence
- resolving and feeling secure in sexual identity (for some people)
- risky sexual behavior is normative
- developing self-esteem and self-control
what risky sexual behaviors are considered normative during adolescnce
- early sexual debut (before age 13)
- multiple sexual partners
- not using condoms, pulling out
how many adolescents have had sex (oral, vaginal, anal) by age 17
2/3
when is adulthood
22+
describe the sex life of adult singles
- have sex less frequently than people in long-term relationships
- report less pleasurable sex
- some practice serial monogamy, friends with benefits, or casual sex
- more vulnerable to risky sexual behaviors and STIs
what is the number 1 STI on college campuses
chlamydia
define cohabitation
living situation in which two adults involved in an emotional and sexual relationship share a common residence for 4 nights a week for 3 months
describe the trend in the rate of couples that cohabitate before marraige
increasing
how many cohabitating couples are there in the US
7.5 million
does cohabitating before marriage impact the chance of a successful marriage
no
how many marriages in the US are preceded by cohabitation
more than half
what is the lifestyle that most american adults choose
marriage
are more or less people getting married
less
what percent of people have been married at least once by the time they’re 65
95%
describe the sex life of married adults
- report the best sex
- have sex twice a week
- most socially accepted relationship type to have sex
what is the average age of marriage for men and women in 2024
- men: 29
- women: 27
what was the average age of marriage for men and women in 1920
- men: 24.5
- women: 21.5
when was the average age of marriage the lowest
1949, after WWII
what was the average age of marriage for men and women in 1949
- men: 22
- women: 20
what percent of marriages in the US end in divorce
48%
how long on average do divorced people wait until getting into another relationship
12-18 months
list reasons for divorce
- relaxation of legal restrictions of divorce
- increased economic independence of women
- people have higher expectations of marriage compared to previous generations
- problems with communication and a lack of understanding
describe what is means that texas is a no fault state in divorces
- cannot assign blame to the divorce
- assets are generally split 50/50
when is middle adulthood
- 40 to 60
- when the last child leaves the house
describe the sex life of middle adulthood adults
- have sex once a week
- women undergoing menopause
- men undergoing andropause
- many couples who continue to have sex report improved sex in this stage
define menopause
- cessation of menstruation
- decreased level of the hormone estrogen
what are the effects of menopause
- increased risk of osteoporosis
- vaginal dryness
- vaginal atrophy (thinning of vaginal walls)
- hot flashes
- emotional changes
what percent of people with osteoporosis are postmenopausal women
80%
define andropause
- decreased levels of testosterone
- also called “manopause”
what are the effects of andropause
- decreased libido
- erection problems: difficulty achieving and maintaining erections
- weight gain
- fatigue
- loss of muscle mass
how can menopause be treated
- symptom by symptom basis
- no hormone replacement
why is there no hormone replacement for menopause
giving estrogen causes an increased risk of breast cancer in those over the age of 35
how can andropause be treated
hormone replacement therapy through gels, patches, or injections
describe some things to consider when using testosterone hormone replacement therapy in the form of gels
- wait 1 hour before washing the area the gel was applied
- avoid contacting others in the area the gel was applied (especially children)
when is senior years
65+
describe the sex life of seniors
- frequency and desire for sex drops
- have sex once every 6 weeks
- those who remain sexually active report higher levels of enjoyment
- both sexes have physical effects on sexual organs
what are physical aspects of aging that affect the sex lives of senior males
- penis decreases in size
- erections take longer to achieve and are less rigid
- longer refractory period between erections
what are physical aspects of aging that affect the sex lives of senior females
- takes longer to lubricate vagina
- decrease in length and width of vagina
what medications can help men with erections and sexual performance
- viagra
- cialis
- levitra
what is the main difference between viagra and cialis
- viagra is taken as needed
- cialis is taken everyday
does older age signal the end of sexual behavior
no
describe why STIs are common among elders
- lack of education
- women live 4-5 years longer than men so many senior living homes are full of more women than men leading to the men having multiple sexual partners
what STIs are increasing among the elderly
- syphilis
- gonorrhea
