Transcript Adolescent Psychology

Chapter 6: Sexuality
Part 1

Exploring Adolescent Sexuality

Sexual Attitudes & Behaviors

Adolescent Sexual Problems

Sexual literacy & sex education
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)

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

Heterosexual

Sexual Minority

Self-stimulation

Contraceptive use
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?
◦ 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

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)
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
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…

Males have more casual sexual partners; females report being more selective
about their choice of a sexual partner.

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.

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



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?
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.



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.


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 are usually told before fathers
◦ Why?
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?
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.

Adolescents deal with increasing feelings of sexual
arousal

Is masturbation normal? Is it okay?

Masturbation is the most frequent sexual outlet for many
adolescents

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

Youth encounter two kinds of risks

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?
◦ unintended pregnancy
◦ sexually transmitted infections








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