Exploring Hot Topics in Sexuality and Gender
Plmilano
Chapter6_day1_exploringadolescentsexuality1.pptxAdolescent Development Chapter 6: Sexuality Exploring Adolescent Sexuality
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Exploring Adolescent Sexuality
Much of what we hear about adolescent sexuality involves problems, such as adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections
Sexuality is a normal part of adolescence
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The Sexual Culture (1)
In the United States, society sends mixed messages about sex to youth
Sex is explicitly portrayed in the media—in movies, TV shows, videos, lyrics of popular music, MTV, and websites.
Sexting is of special concern.
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Developing a Sexual Identity
Dealing with emerging sexual feelings and forming a sense of sexual identity is a multifaceted process.
Sexual identity emerges in the context of physical factors, social factors, and cultural factors.
Is strongly influenced by social norms related to sex.
Involves an indication of sexual orientation and involves activities, interests, and styles of behavior.
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Development of Sexual Activities in Adolescents
In a U.S. national survey conducted in 2019, 38.4% of 9th-12th graders reported ever having had sexual intercourse.
Compared with earlier national figures, sexual intercourse in adolescence has been declining
Sexual initiation in the U.S. varies by ethnic group.
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SEXUAL ACTIVITY OF U.S. ADOLESCENTS FROM 1991 TO 2015
Source: Kann, L., & others. “Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance—United States 2015.” MMWR, 65, June 10, 2016, 1 to 174.
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Cross-Cultural Comparisons
The timing of teenage sexual initiation in different countries varies widely by culture and gender, and in most instances is linked to the culture’s values and customs.
Sexual activity patterns for 15- to 19-year-olds differ greatly for males and females in almost every geographic region of the world.
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Sexual Scripts (1)
Sexual script: a stereotyped pattern of role prescriptions for how individuals should behave sexually
By adolescence, girls and boys have been socialized to follow different sexual scripts
Scripts are gendered and often reflect a double standard.
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Risk Factors in Adolescent Sexuality (1)
Early sexual activity is linked with risky behaviors
Other risk factors for sexual problems in adolescence:
socioeconomic status (SES) and poverty,
Immigration/ethnic minority status
Substance use
family/parenting and peer factors
school-related influences
Sports activities
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Risk Factors in Adolescent Sexuality (2)
Cognitive and personality factors are increasingly implicated in sexual risk taking in adolescences
Self-control
Impulsiveness
(these are related to executive function)
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Further Exploration of Sexuality in Emerging Adults
Emerging adulthood is a time frame during which most individuals are “both sexually active and unmarried”
Casual sex
Friends with benefits
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Sexual Minority Youths’ Attitudes & Behavior 1
The majority of sexual minority individuals experience their first same-sex attraction, sexual behavior, and self-labeling as a gay or lesbian just before or during adolescence.
Preference for a sexual partner of the same or other sex is not always a fixed decision, made once in a lifetime.
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Sexual Minority Youths’ Attitudes and Behavior 2
Preferred Terminology Today:
Sexual minority: individuals who self-identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual
Bisexual: someone who is attracted to people of both sexes
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Factors Associated With Sexual Minority Behavior 1
Is there a possible biological or genetic basis for sexual minority behaviour?
The results of hormone studies have been inconsistent.
A very early critical period might influence sexual orientation.
Genes may play a role in sexual orientation but aren’t the only influence
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Factors Associated With Sexual Minority Behavior 2
An individual’s sexual orientation is most likely determined by a combination of genetic, hormonal, cognitive, and environmental factors.
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Developmental Pathways
Sexual minority youth have diverse patterns of initial attraction, the presence or absence of sexual and romantic attraction to both sexes, and the possibility of a disjuncture in their physical and emotional attraction to one sex or the other.
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Gay or Lesbian Identity and Disclosure
Establishing a gay male or lesbian identity and disclosing that information to others is often a long process, frequently beginning just before adolescence or in early adolescence and concluding in emerging adulthood.
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Similarities and Differences With Heterosexual Youth
Similarities include friendship quality, academic orientation, and perception of school climate.
Bisexual adolescents reported the most negative results.
Adolescents with same-sex attractions reported less positive experiences than did exclusively heterosexual adolescents.
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Discrimination, Bias, and Violence 1
Sexual minority youth are more likely to be targeted for violence than heterosexual youth.
Many sexual minority adolescents experience discrimination and rejection.
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Health
Sexual minority adolescents have been found to engage in a higher prevalence of health risk behaviors compared to heterosexual adolescents.
Early sexual debut has been associated with sexual risk-taking, substance use, violent victimization, and suicidal thoughts/attempts in both sexual minority and heterosexual youth.
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