Childhood Development and Sexual Behavior

Childhood Development and Sexual Behaviors

February 9, 2012
Psychology of Human Sexuality
Sharon Blevins
University of Phoenix/Axia

The human body is responsive to many forms of sexual stimulation. People practice on their own sensual gratification through masturbation. This type of enjoyment can start as young as the first few weeks of a person’s life. Fetuses and newborns have many sexual behaviors. Ultrasound technicians have seen baby boys in the womb with erections. Many boys are even born with an erection. Stimulation of the genitals starts as soon as the infant can maneuver their hands down to their penis or vagina ( Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2008). Many infant boys get erections and infant girls show a lubricated vagina. This is not to mean that an infant has any interest in sex. No one knows exactly what is going on and what it means to infant, probably not the same as to an adult. Some infants have shown that they are capable of experiencing an orgasm. In infant boys it is just like a grown mans minus the ejaculation. Masturbation starts between the ages of 6-12 months. Infants often fulfill the sexual urges with a soft toy or blanket until they can reach their genitals with their hands. At about ages 2-5 children get curious about their bodies and the bodies of other children and they show off their private parts and compare each others. They sometimes kiss to show affection (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2005). At this age they also try to see people undressing or people taking baths or showers. Many of them will start to touch themselves in the own homes (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2005). From ages 6-9 many children now are masturbating, sometimes alone sometimes with others. Sexual type games are sometimes played, like doctor, or house, with a Mother and A Father, who kiss and stuff that, is kind of sexual. All this is perfectly normal according to the scientists (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2001). Preadolescence starts around 9 years old. This is a time of bonding friendships. Mist people at this stage have a best friend they can confide in and tell all their secrets too. Around ages 12 or so many preadolescence children become very self-conscious about the way they look (Rathus, Neid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2005). They worry that their bodies are somehow different or that they are freakish in looks. Sexual urges start to develop. More boys than girls have reported feeling these. This is also the phase of exploration. Adolescence starts at puberty. And ends around 16-18 years old. It is an awkward time because these people are not kids and they are not adults. They have sexual urges and use masturbation as a sexual outlet. Oral sex maybe tried instead of intercourse. There are many factors that they are feeling about sex. The hormones are raging, they are sexually aroused, sometimes they have intercourse just to reward their partner, sometimes they are pressured to have sex. Much adolescence feels that intercourse is a sign of maturity. . In search of the orgin of human sexuality researchers have found that between birth and death one thing stays the same and that is people will always seek pleasure with their bodies, alone or with a partner. It is part of natural life.

References:

Rathus, S.A., Nevid, J.S. & Fichner-Rathus, L. (2005). Human sexuality in a world of diversity. (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

References: Rathus, S.A., Nevid, J.S. & Fichner-Rathus, L. (2005). Human sexuality in a world of diversity. (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.