Adolescent Psychology Chapter 6 Sexuality Part 1 Outline

Adolescent Psychology Chapter 6: Sexuality Part 1

Outline � Exploring � Sexual Adolescent Sexuality Attitudes & Behaviors � Adolescent � Sexual Problems literacy & sex education

Exploring Sexuality Adolescence & emerging adulthood are time frames when individuals engage in sexual exploration & incorporate sexuality into their identity. � � “I guess when you give a girl a sexy kiss you’re suppose to open your lips and put your tongue in her mouth. That doesn’t seen very sexy to me. I can’t imagine how a girl would like that. What is she has braces on her teeth & your tongue gets scratched? And how are you suppose to breathe? Sometimes I wish I had an older brother I could ask stuff like this. ” (Frank, age 12) “I can’t believe I’m so much in love! I met him last week and I know this is the real thing. He is much more mature than the boys who have liked me before. He’s a senior and has his own car. When he brought me home last night we got so hot I thought we were going to have sex. I’m sure it will happen the next time we go out. It goes against everything I’ve been taught – but I can’t see how it can be wrong when I’m so much in love and he makes me feel so fantastic. ” (Amy, age 15)

� � “Ken & I went camping last weekend & now I am sure that I’m gay. For a long time I’ve known I’ve been attracted to other guys, like in the locker room at school it would sometimes be embarrassing. Ken & I are great friends, & lots of times we would mess around wrestling or whatever. I guessed that he felt the same way I did. Now I know. Sooner or later I’ll have to come out, as they say, but I know that is going to cause a lot of tension with my parents & for me. ” (Tom, 15) “I’m lucky because I have a good figure and I’m popular. I’ve had boyfriends since middle school, and I know how of take care of myself. Its fun when you are out with a guy and you can be intimate. The only thing is Dan and I had sex a few weeks ago and I’m wondering if I’m pregnant. He used a contraceptive, but maybe it didn’t work. Or maybe I am just late. Anyway, if I have a baby, I could deal with it. My aunt wasn’t married when she got pregnant with my cousin and it turned out okay. ” (Claire. Age 16)

Normal Aspect of Adolescent Development � Sexuality is a normal part of adolescence (Diamond, 2006; Nichols & Good, 2004). � The Sexual Culture ◦ Portrayal of sex in the media � Developing a Sexual Identity ◦ Sexual feelings & forming a sexual identity is multifaceted ◦ Indication of orientation � Obtaining Information about Adolescent Sexuality ◦ Assessing is not always easy

Sexual Attitudes & Behaviors � Heterosexual � Sexual Minority � Self-stimulation � Contraceptive use

Time to look at your own beliefs & biases… 1. Do you approve of premarital sex? 2. Do you feel you must be in love with someone before having sex with that person? 3. Is homosexuality between consenting adults morally acceptable? 4. Do you think young people are more sexually promiscuous than they were a generation ago? 5. Does sexual experimentation before marriage contribute to later marital satisfaction & happiness? 6. Is masturbation morally wrong? 7. Does sex education lead to promiscuity? 8. Is there any sexual behavior that you consider completely taboo?

Heterosexual Attitudes & Behavior ◦ 8 in 10 girls & 7 in 10 boys are virgins at age 15. ◦ The probability that adolescents will have sexual intercourse increases steadily with age ◦ 1 in 5 individuals have not had sexual intercourse by age 19. ◦ Initial sexual intercourse occurs in the mid to late adolescent years for a most teenagers ◦ more than 50% of 17 yr olds have had sexual intercourse. ◦ Gender differences – males are more likely to say they have had sex and describe it as enjoyable ◦ Cultural variations

Heterosexual Attitudes & Behaviors � Oral Sex ◦ Recent research indicates that oral sex is now a common occurrence in U. S. adolescents (Bersamin & others, 2006). ◦ 55% of boys (15 -19) ◦ 54% of girls (15 -19) ◦ Adolescents tend to believe that oral sex is not sex. � Early Maturation ◦ linked with early initiation of sexual activity (Cavanaugh, 2004)

Heterosexual Attitudes & Behaviors Sexual Scripts �A stereotyped pattern of role prescriptions ◦ Part of gender role stereotypes � As adolescents explore sexuality they are guided by sexual scripts � Females & males have been socialized to follow different sexual scripts – part of gender roles ◦ Females (sex—love) ◦ Male (sex -- peer pressure) ◦ Females have to set limits

Heterosexual Attitudes & Behaviors Risk Factors, Youth Assets, & Sexual Problems � Most adolescents become sexually active at some point during adolescence, but there are risks (16). ◦ STDs, pregnancy, alcohol/drug use, lower grades ◦ Girls: lower self-esteem, depression, more sex ◦ Boys: substance abuse, more sex � � Risk factors for sexual problems in adolescence (contexts) ◦ socioeconomic status (SES) ◦ family/parenting & peer factors �Perception of peers as being sexually active Another important factor in sexual risk taking is selfregulation – remember the emotional competencies…

Heterosexual Attitudes & Behaviors Ø Males have more casual sexual partners; females report being more selective about their choice of a sexual partner. Ø Although emerging adults have sexual intercourse with more individuals than young adults, they have sex less frequently. Approximately 25% of emerging adults report having sexual intercourse only a couple of times a year or not at all. Ø Casual sex is a more common in emerging adulthood than in young adulthood. One study indicated that 30% of emerging adults said they had “hooked up” with someone & had sexual intercourse during college

Sexual Minority Attitudes & Behavior � What is a sexual minority? � Most sexual minority individuals experience their first same-sex attraction, sexual behavior, & self-labeling as a gay male or lesbian during adolescence � What does the term bisexual mean?

Factors Associated with Sexual Minority Behavior Is same sex attraction genetically predisposed? Is it choice? Is it product of environmental contexts & experiences? � � � Research suggests a genetic contribution to sexual attraction in some individuals, but we are far from understanding the mechanisms involved (Diamond, 2004). Most experts believe that no one factor alone causes same-sex attraction & that the relative weight of each factor may vary from one individual to the next. There also is NO evidence to support the once popular theories that being a gay male is caused by a dominant mother or a weak father, or that being a lesbian is caused by girls’ choosing male role models.

Sexual Minority: Developmental Pathways � Quietly struggle with same sex attraction, do not engage in heterosexual dating, gradually recognize identity as gay or lesbian in mid-late adolescence. � For others realization may be more abrupt in late adolescence, with little previous awareness. � Majority of adolescence with same-sex attraction also experience some degree of other-sex attraction.

Gay or Lesbian Identity & Disclosure � Coming-out process: process of establishing a gay male or lesbian identity � Parents are seldom the first an adolescent tells about his or her same-sex attractions. ◦ Who does an adolescent often tell first? � Mothers ◦ Why? are usually told before fathers

Sexual Minority Attitudes & Behaviors Peer Relations � Sexual minority youth show excessive worry about losing friends & difficulties in romantic relationships. Discrimination & Bias � What is homophobia? Behaviors & attitudes associated with homophobia: ◦ avoidance of same-sex individuals ◦ faulty beliefs about sexual minority lifestyles ◦ discrimination in housing, employment, & other areas of life ◦ ridicule, physically assault, even murder � � One common form of self-devaluation is called passing, the process of hiding one’s real social identity Suicide risk & sexual orientation?

Testing your awareness…True/False 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. A conservative estimate of the number of homosexuals in America is at least 10 million people. Most homosexuals identify themselves as members of the opposite sex. Homosexuality has been in existence since biblical times, & numerous societies approve of homosexual practices. All homosexuals are biologically abnormal. All male homosexuals are effeminate in dress & mannerism. Male homosexuals identify with seductive mothers, & consequently they hate their fathers. Homosexuals are more likely than heterosexuals to be child molesters. Homosexuals are proven job risks in delicate positions. Men who fear homosexuals are likely to feel negative & anxious about their own sexual impulses. Homosexuals only practice sodomy.

Self- Stimulation � Adolescents arousal � Is deal with increasing feelings of sexual masturbation normal? Is it okay? � Masturbation adolescents is the most frequent sexual outlet for many � Today, as few as 15% of adolescents attach any stigma to masturbation � There continues to be stigmas attached to masturbation in our culture, more so toward females than males

Contraceptive Use � � � Youth encounter two kinds of risks ◦ unintended pregnancy ◦ sexually transmitted infections Both risks can be reduced significantly if contraception is used Adolescents are increasing their use of contraceptives but large numbers still do not use them. The issue of contraception is more difficult for adolescents than adults because of differing patterns of sexual activity What are some of other potential challenges for adolescent contraceptive use?

Challenges in Adolescent Contraceptive Use Low-SES -– one of best predictors � Younger adolescents vs. older adolescents � Not in a steady, committed dating relationship � Inhibited by concerns about embarrassment & reduced sexual pleasure � Poor coping skills � Lack of a future orientation � High anxiety & poor social adjustment � Negative attitude toward contraceptives �