Childhood Development and Sexual Behavior

Childhood Development and Sexual Behavior
Frank Sehi
PSY/265
January 24th, 2013
Nicole Pansey

Childhood Development and Sexual Behavior

Sexual behavior begins to develop as early as the "Infancy (0 to 2 Years) stage" (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, "CHAPTER 13 ● Sexuality in Childhood and Adolescence,” 2011). Male fetuses have erections while in the mother’s womb, and both male and female fetus suck on their fingers, which gives pleasure in the mouth (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, "CHAPTER 13 ● Sexuality in Childhood and Adolescence," 2011). Between 6 months to 12 months a child may begin to masturbate, such as male boys may run up against something or play with their gentiles (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, "CHAPTER 13 ● Sexuality in Childhood and Adolescence," 2011). From 3 to 8 years old children begin to show curiosity some when it comes to sexual development behavior, just because the begin to notice the difference in boy and girl gentiles (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, "CHAPTER 13 ● Sexuality in Childhood and Adolescence," 2011). This stage they may play house, doctor, or even with doll to play out their sexual behavior, and in most cases it is innocent behavior (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, "CHAPTER 13 ● Sexuality in Childhood and Adolescence," 2011). Children may play out same sex sexuality, but has no effect on sexual preference at this age (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, "CHAPTER 13 ● Sexuality in Childhood and Adolescence," 2011). During the Preadolescent stage is when a child really discovers masturbation; they discover how to pleasure themselves and the feel of the sensation. Also at this stage Preadolescents may experience same sex behavior as way of exploring their sexuality, but in most cases a short phases (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, "CHAPTER 13 ● Sexuality in Childhood and Adolescence,” 2011). The adolescent stage happens right after puberty, this stage is masturbation is the big part sexual pleasure. Adolescents for most part will masturbate, and still can keep their virginity and avoid pregnancy (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, "CHAPTER 13 ● Sexuality in Childhood and Adolescence,” 2011). During adolescents a few have experienced same sex sexual experiences among g their peers, and in most cases it’s just during the transition period from adolescent to adult sexual behavior (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, "CHAPTER 13 ● Sexuality in Childhood and Adolescence,” 2011). Adolescences who are gay or lesbian tend to struggle more during this stage, than those who are heterosexual, because of judgment of peers (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, "CHAPTER 13 ● Sexuality in Childhood and Adolescence," 2011)
In conclusion Sexual development begins from the fetus to adolescent stage, and most of the child’s sexual behavior is more of discovering one’s self. The adolescent stage is where one discovers more on what they like sexual wise, and usually orientation as well.

References: Rathus, S. A., Nevid, J. S., & Fichner-Rathus, l. (2011). Human Sexuality in a World of Diversity (8th ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix.

References: Rathus, S. A., Nevid, J. S., & Fichner-Rathus, l. (2011). Human Sexuality in a World of Diversity (8th ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix.