Sexual Development Across the Lifespan Flashcards
Lectures 13 - 18
how are children from birth to age 2 developing sexually?
- spontaneous reflexive sexual response
- do not distinguish between genital and non-genital body parts
- learning names for body parts and how people feel about them
- learning rules and beliefs about gender
how are children from age 2 to 5 developing sexually?
- show interest in their body and others
- learning difference between genders
- their body belongs to them
- different types of touch
- certainty about gender identity
- an understanding of private and public
how are children from age 5 to 8 developing sexually?
- physically exploring their bodies
- peer bonding is more intense
- how babies are made
- an understanding of attraction/romantic relationships
how are children developing sexually during puberty (9-12)?
- masturbation is pleasure centred
- more curious about sexuality
- attraction shifts from friendships to crushes
- complex skills to understand meaning behind behaviours
- beliefs and values are their own
- skills needed to have relationships
- sense of justice of their rights
what are the hormonal changes of puberty?
- hypothalamus activates pituitary gland
- pituitary gland activates the gonads
- either starts ripening ovaries, menstrual cycle or starts creation of sperm
what are the physical changes of puberty?
- big feet
- growth spurts
- skin changes
- perspiration and odor
- body hair
- voice changes
- moodiness
what are the physical changes associated with increased estrogen?
- wider hips
- breast development
- menstruation
what are the physical changes associated with increased testosterone?
- broader shoulders
- frequent erections
- nocturnal emissions
what are the key areas of conflict of puberty?
- lack of sleep cause irritability because kids in puberty need more sleep
- cognitive immaturity causes poor decision making
- increased desire for independent identity and self-expression (experimentation, changing identities and values)
how are adolescents developing sexually?
- masturbation is very common
- first romantic/sexual relationships
- learn how to adapt to their bodies and protect their sexual health
- develop sexual selves and relationship skills
what is the average age of sexual debut?
- 17 is the average age
- majority of BC students haven’t had sex in highschool
- poor school attachment and poor parental relationships are strongly predictive of early sexual debut
how common is oral sex?
is about as common as intercourse and first happens around the same age
what did the AHS report about the reasons adolescents withhold from having sex?
- most common reason for both males and females is wanting to meet the right person and not ready
- second most common for females is avoiding pregnancy
- second most common for males is not having the chance to
what did the AHS say about oral sex?
- more males than females have received oral sex
- more females than males have given oral sex
what are the trends reported by the AHS for birth control?
- condom use has decreased from 2013 to 2023
- withdrawal use has increased from 2013-2018 and then decreased 2018-2023
- birth control use decreased from 2018-2023
- emergency contraception use has increased steadily
- IUD use has increased steadily
- BUT teen pregnancy has decreased overall
