Process of Sexual Development

Question 1

In utero/until birth

Answer 1

Genetic roles play the main factor here in gender development at a chromosomal level, and reproductive sex organ development.

Question 2

0-18 months

Answer 2

Develop a positive or negative attitude towards their bodies based on the touch they receive.
Develop an identity as male or female.
Differentiate male and female roles.
Discover genitalia and touch themselves for pleasure.

Question 3

18 months - 3 years

Answer 3

Learn language for body parts and functions.
Parents may attach sense of “naughtiness” to words.
When knowing the words, more likely to report sexual abuse.
Certain of their gender, but not sure of its permanence.
Girls may experiment with different positions for urinating.
Should understand that their bodies are theirs and they have the right to say “no” to unwanted touch.

Question 4

3-5 years

Answer 4

Growing awareness of body and its functions. Learn about privacy and modesty from their family.
May start to question birth.
Sex play (doctor checking out baby doll genitals).
Establish firm belief in being male or female and work hard on developing their sexual identities.
They may want to grow up and marry their opposite sex parent.

Question 5

5-6 years

Answer 5

Rich imaginative activity.
Continue to develop their sexual identities (may be stereotypical).
Masturbation common (perform in privacy).

Question 6

6-9 years

Answer 6

Able to grasp basic facts about sex, conception, pregnancy, and birth process;.
Preoccupied with being normal.
Develop a more complex sense of differences in gender roles.
Conform to peer dress and speech.
Boys experience more pressure to adhere to gender-role expectations in terms of toys, hobbies, clothing, and hair styles.
Some girls are already going through puberty.

Question 7

9-14 years

Answer 7

Puberty for girls 8-13.
Puberty for boys 10-15.
Varying rates of development (am I normal, what’s wrong with me).
Anxiety over physical development (boys worry about penis size, girls worry about breast size).
Mood swings, pimples, body odor, dissatisfaction with weight and body shape.
Dating (value opinion of friends and separation from parents is beginning).

Question 8

14-18 years

Answer 8

Teens are self-conscious and self-centered.
Struggle to cope w/ changing body image, emotions, and finding a place in the world.
Test out heterosexual closeness on a more mature level (sex).

Question 9

When is masturbation a common behavior?

Answer 9

5-6 years old.

Question 10

Should children know the correct words for body parts? Why?

Answer 10

Yes, they’re more likely to report sexual abuse if they know the correct words.