Test 2: Sexuality in Childhood Flashcards
Ability to love begins to develop in infancy when…
babies are lovingly touched
Infants and young children communicate by…
smiling, gesturing, crying (learn how to interpret movements, facial expression, and tone of voice)
How do infants learn how they should feel about their bodies?
By how their parents/adults react to them exploring their bodies
Where does body begin its first sexual response?
In the Uterus
How do children interact and explore their bodies?
Playing Mommy and Daddy, hugs and kisses, children’s sexual interest should never be labeled, privacy should be encouraged instead of punishment
Masturbation
Most individuals are raised to to feel guilty about it, children need to understand that pleasure from self stimulation is normal and acceptable but needs to be done in private
Expressing Affection
everyone needs physical affection, children need to be told/explained what kind of touching is good and what kind is bad
What does it mean when children exhibit persistence and intensity with a sexual activity and have other troubling behaviors?
It means that there may be a broader issue that needs to be addressed
Nudity (The Family)
different families are comfortable with nudity in a variety of contexts; accept and respect a child’s body, do not punish or humiliate a child for seeing parents naked (remind the want for privacy), respect the child’s need for privacy
Expressing Affection (The Family)
Freely given physical affection from those they love, children should be told about good touch bad touch, not necessary to go into great detail about what could happen (listen to children and trust them)
Adolescence
Social and physical state that occurs between the beginning of puberty and acceptance into full adulthood, physically mature but still learning their gender and social roles, trying to understand their emotions and feelings
What age does puberty usually begin?
Girls at age 11, Boys at age 13
Precocious Puberty
Appearance of physical and hormonal signs of pubertal development at an earlier age than what is considered typical (for females is before age 7 and males before age 9)
Physical Changes
Occur rapidly, higher levels of hormones and secondary sex characteristics develop (pubic hair, muscle mass, voice deepening, penis grows, nocturnal emission, menstruation begins, breast development)
Influences on Psychosexual Development
Peer pressure, social influence, parents, media/TV, religion
Peer Influence
May give misinformation, put pressure on each other, teens are more likely to be sexually active if their friends/peers are sexually active and older, use alcohol/drugs to engage in other risky behaviors
Parental Influence
Parents often underestimate their children’s involvement in sexual activities, can contribute to their child’s feeling of self with through demonstration of acceptable behaviors and affection
How can parents prevent risky behaviors and early sexual encounters?
Involvement and discussion about sex with children is a key factor
The Media
Pervasive and explicit exposure increases teens willingness to experiment, themes from TV can be used by parents and adults to initiate discussion
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
During adolescence/ early adulthood, sexual orientation becomes and important issue (at 2%-10% of the population come to realization that they are attracted to members of the same sex)
Why do few gay and lesbian teens feel that they can talk to their parents about their sexual orientation?
Feel forced to live in secrecy; those that are “out” to themselves and have integrated a sexual identity with their overall personal identity are usually more psychological well adjusted than those who have not moved through the process
When hormones increase during puberty…
sexual interests also increases
Do males or females report higher rates of masturbation?
Males; releases tension, learn about the body, sexual function likes and dislikes
what is the average age for first intercourse?
17 years old
Teen Pregnancy
2015-2016 for teens aged 15-19 declined 9% to 20.3 births per 1,000; babies born to teenage mothers are less likely to have prenatal care, higher rates of preterm birth and low birth rates
Teenage Mothers
Only 38% of teen girls who have had a baby by age 18 earned a high school diploma, are less likely than others to go on to college than those that delay motherhood, increased risk than other mothers to live below poverty level, and receive welfare
Teenage Fathers
Typically remain physical and psychologically involved during pregnancy, difficult for them to contribute to the support of their children, and feel neglected from group and overwhelmed by responsibility and may doubt their ability to be good providers
Sexuality Education
Abstinence-only has been a focal point in education/curriculum for many years, must be a lifelong process
What did the last administration launch as the focus for their teen pregnancy prevention program?
An age-appropriate evidence based education that primarily emphasized pregnancy prevention and STI prevention
The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS)
Developed the guidelines for comprehensive sexuality education, widely used and recognized and implemented framework for comprehensive sexuality education in the US
World Health Organization
Released guidelines to help public health decision makers develop a new approach to sexuality education and offer a global perspective
