Chapter 12
Life-Span Sexual Development
For use with text,
Human Sexuality Today,
5th edition.
Bruce M. King
Slides by Callista Lee
1
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
We are sexual even before birth


2
Sexuality begins in the womb with reflexive
displays of genital arousal (erection in boys);
both boys and girls continue to experience
reflex-induced genital arousal throughout
infancy.
Physical contact and emotional bonding with
caretakers is essential for life and begins a
child’s education about sexuality (the pleasure
of touch and emotional intimacy).
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Early Childhood (Ages 2 – 6)


Egocentrism before age 2; a lack of
understanding others’ points of view. Genital
exploration is a natural part of learning about
one’s own body.
Social play after age 2; genital exploration
expands beyond their own bodies to include
curiosity about others; peaks in ages 3-5.
–
3
Sexual exploration games, touching self and others,
talking about sex, noticing differences between boys
& girls, and between children & adults.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Responding to childhood sexuality



4
Aggressive sexual behaviors may be indicative
of abuse and should be investigated.
Sexual exploration games (especially with
same-sex playmates) are normal and only
become harmful when a parent’s response
frightens or shames the child.
Socialize children for privacy rather than
punishing. To stop the behavior when it is
inappropriate, distract the child rather than
scolding or slapping their hands away.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
School-Age Years (Ages 7 – 11)



5
Freud’s sexual latency stage is not supported;
children in others cultures continue sex play;
children in our culture learn that sex play
should be hidden from adults.
By age 9, most social play is with same-sex
friends; including sexual exploration games.
Girls tend to be treated more harshly than boys
when “caught” engaging in sex play.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Puberty (Ages 7 – 15)



6

Puberty – a process of reproductive and sexual
maturation lasting several years.
Adrenarche (ages 6-8) – adrenal glands
secrete androgen hormone DHEA > converts
to testosterone and estrogen.
Gonadarche (several years later) – pituitary
gland (FSH & LH), testes (sperm and
testosterone) and ovaries (ova, estrogen and
progesterone) mature.
Secondary sex characteristics appear.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Puberty in Girls







7
Breast buds – 1st sign of puberty (avg. age 11.2)
Growth spurt begins – begins about age 12
and finishes about age 16 in most girls.
Fatty deposits at hips and buttocks
Pubic hair, & after a few years, underarm hair
Sweat and sebaceous glands > acne 
Menarche – First period (avg. age 12-13)
Attitudes about menarche  -- 
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Puberty in Boys


Testicles/scrotum growth – 1st sign of puberty
Testosterone then stimulates growth of the
penis, prostate gland and seminal vessicles.
–



8
Genital growth(and pubic hair) begins around ages
11-12; finishes about age 15; ejaculation possible
about a year after penis begins growing.
Nocturnal emissions and voice deepening
Temporary gynecomastia
Underarm & facial hair, sweat & sebaceous
glands appear later
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Precocious or Delayed Puberty


9
Precocious – before age 11-12 in girls and
before 8-9 in boys; premature activation of
pituitary hormones perhaps due to early weight
gain, hormones in meat/milk, chemical
pollutants.
Delayed – when secondary sex characteristics
and physical growth do not begin in early
adolescence. Treatment with gonadatropinreleasing hormone or androgens.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Sexual behavior
at or before puberty




10
Pubertal changes in the brain increase sexual
desire, making sexual risk-taking behaviors
more likely.
First sexual attractions occur at about age 10,
after adrenarche but before gonadarche.
Masturbation to orgasm is not uncommon.
Sexual attraction > sexual fantasy > sexual
exploration games (e.g., spin the bottle) have
more erotic content than early childhood
exploration games.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Adolescence (Ages 13 – 17)



11
In many non-industrialized countries,
individuals become adults immediately
following puberty.
Most important psychological challenge is
development of a self-identity; intense body
awareness as the teen’s body becomes a
symbol of self-worth.
Broader-based sense of self-esteem based
upon accomplishments and quality of life
develops later.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Masturbation in adolescence



12

Most teens masturbate (more boys than girls)
but nearly half feel guilty about it.
When viewed positively, masturbation provides
a way to gain sexual self-confidence as well as
a way to control sexual impulses.
People who masturbated in adolescence
generally engage in sex more frequently and
with better sexual self-esteem in adulthood
than those who did not.
Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders fired, 1990s.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Partnered sexual activity in teens



13
Petting/Necking – most have begun by age 14
and 80% have begun by age 18.
2001 – 6.6% have had sexual intercourse by
age 13; 60% of high school seniors have had
sexual intercourse; 14% of high school
students have had four or more partners.
Age at first intercourse (boys and girls) –
younger for African-Americans and Whites;
older for Latinos and Asian-Americans.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Attitudes about premarital sex




14
1994 – 58% of those who say premarital sex is
wrong have engaged in premarital sex.
Fewer young people today believe premarital
sex is wrong than in the 1980s.
Less guilt and greater condom use has led to
small decreases in teen pregnancy and birth
rates during the 1990s.
For most teen girls (but much less so for boys),
love and committed relationships are important
before engaging in sex.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
First sexual intercourse

Men/boys generally experience greater
pleasure and less guilt than women/girls.
–
–


15
Males much more likely to experience orgasm
One-third of girls reported severe physical pain
Young women with positive experiences
usually had extensive childhood and
adolescent sexual experiences and 1st
intercourse was with a caring partner in a safe
place.
Confusing sexual and emotional intimacy
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Peer pressure vs. abstinence



One-fourth to 1/3 of girls say they “went along”
with it or that it was “voluntary but not wanted”
– more so when her partner was much older.
Teens who believe that most of their friends are
having sex will often feel intense pressure to
conform.
Teens who postpone sexual intercourse
–
–
16
Waiting for marriage and fears of pregnancy/STDs
Positive parental involvement/communication and
lack of drugs/alcohol use by the teens
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Sex for the right reasons





17
Feeling guiltless and self-confident that your
reputation will not be hurt by this choice.
Not trying to prove yourself, your love.
Not rebelling against parents or seeking attn.
Sex as expression of current feelings vs.
attempt to improve a poor relationship.
Ability to discuss and agree about
contraception, STDs, what to do if
contraception fails.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Emerging Adulthood (Ages 18 – 25)



18
Today, “full” adulthood (economic selfsufficiency, marriage, parenthood, etc.) is later
than in the past; median age of marriage for
women is 25, and 27 for men.
90% of emerging adults are sexually
experienced, have sex regularly, and have had
multiple partners.
Multiple partners are less common among the
more religious and more educated women.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Sex among emerging adults



Emotional involvement – 86% of women and
71% of men say that sex is difficult without it.
Serial monogamy – a common pattern
Sexual self-schemas – cognitive views about
the sexual aspects of ourselves
–
–
19
Erotophilia – positive emotions about one’s
sexuality; these individuals tend to have a wider
range of sexual experiences
Erotophobia – negative emotions about one’s
sexuality
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Young Adulthood (Ages 26 – 39)




20
Long-lasting monogamy is the norm for most
adults aged 25 and older.
Adults who get and stay married have higher
levels of psychological well-being than those
who remain single.
Frequency of sexual intercourse in the first
year of marriage is usually high; about 15 times
per month.
For the entire population, frequency is highest
for married couples in their 20s and 30s.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Sex in marriage




21
Married women are more likely than single
women to have orgasms during intercourse.
Married couples use a greater variety of sexual
techniques than in the past.
The majority of young people continue to
masturbate after getting married.
A majority of men and women report marital
sex to be more satisfying; more so than
singles.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Living Together: Cohabitation




22
Cohabitation has increased 700% since 1970.
Half of these unions end within 5 years.
Fifty-four percent of all first marriages begin as
cohabitation; however, the divorce rate for this
group is higher than for those who did not
cohabit before marriage.
“Living together” may attract individuals with
less enthusiasm for marriage and more
acceptance of divorce.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Single Parenthood



23
In 2000, 27% of families maintaining their own
households were headed by single mothers
(22%) or single fathers (5%).
25% of white children live with a single parent.
65% of black children live with a single parent.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
How do people select a mate?





24
Short-term relationships dominate human mating
patterns worldwide, but in all cultures the idealistic
goal is for a lasting relationship.
80% of societies allow polygyny – men may have
multiple wives or mistresses, but most do not.
2% allow polyandry – women may have more than
one mate.
Western cultures achieve the same thing through
serial marriages or extramarital affairs.
Men may enjoy female promiscuity in short-term
relationships but seek a chaste woman for a longterm relationship.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Extramarital sex




25
36% of husbands and 25% of wives report at
least one extramarital affair. Rates are just as
high in cohabitating couples.
Men tend to be looking for sexual enjoyment
whereas women are almost always looking for
emotional connection as well as sex.
Men are most upset with their partner’s sexual
infidelity; women with the emotional infidelity.
Opportunity for an affair and growing apart
from one’s mate play important roles.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Consensual
extramarital arrangements

Open marriage – both partners agree that it is
okay to have sex with others (separately)
–
–

Swinging – extramarital sex (together)
–
–
–
26
There are usually agreed-upon restrictions to serve
to honor the primary status of the marriage.
Divorce rates equal to traditional marriages.
Often sex between the wives while husbands watch
Some will “full swap” and some set limits
Tend to be white, non-religious, politically diverse
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Middle Ages (Ages 40 – 59)



Many parents appear to be nonsexual because
their behavior is private and they hesitate to
discuss sexual topics with their children.
Decrease in sexual activity is very gradual
between ages 30 and 60.
Many couples remain sexually active after 60
and report that their relationships are very
satisfying sexually and emotionally.
–
27
Hugging and kissing become even more important
than they were at younger ages.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Death and divorce –
Losing one’s partner




28
Over half of all marriages end in divorce, with
the greater risk being to 2nd, 3rd, 4th marriages.
40% of Americans aged 45+ are single.
Because men die earlier than women, there
are many more available single women than
men as the population ages.
About ¾ of divorced people remarry; usually
within 3 to 4 years. Half of these marriages end
in divorce.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Female hormonal changes



29
Ovaries begin failing to respond to pituitary
hormones; menstrual irregularities become
common after age 35.
Climacteric (perimenopause) – the few years
preceding and the year following menopause.
Menopause – cessation of ovulation and
menstruation. Four-fifths experience
menopause between ages 44 and 55.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Physical changes of menopause (1)

Hot flashes – without ovarian estrogen and
progesterone to inhibit them, LH and FSH are
released in large amounts, causing blood
vessels to dilate.
–
–
–
–
30
Sudden, intense heat spreads over upper body
lasting from a few seconds to 15 minutes.
Pressure in heat or chest, nausea, feelings of
suffocation can also be experienced.
Night sweats > fatigue, irritability and depression
20% of women experience hot flashes for 5 years or
longer.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Changes in
levels of
pituitary
hormones
throughout the
female’s
lifespan.
31
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Physical changes of menopause (2)

Osteoporosis – bones become brittle
–

Decrease in vaginal lubrication
–
–

Some couples mistakenly assume that this is a sign of
decreased sexual desire.
Pick up a water-based lubricant at the drug store.
Uterine or vaginal prolapse – occurs in some women
when severely weakened ligaments can no longer hold
these organs in place.
–
32
Hip fractures are most common
Reconstructive surgery can correct the problem.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
The medicalization of menopause



33
This normal process has become viewed as
an illness to be treated medically with
hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
The majority of women go through menopause
without HRT and with no or few complaints.
HRT was believed to protect against heart
disease and broken bones but recent research
indicates that it does not decrease heart attack
and it does increase risk of breast and ovarian
cancer and strokes.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
The good news


Post-menopausal women can throw away their
contraceptives.
For most women, menopause causes no
change in level of sexual desire.
–

Women who have regular sexual activity
throughout life experience less vaginal atrophy
and loss of vaginal lubrication.
–
34
For those who do experience lowered desire,
medical treatment is available.
Yes, it’s true: Use it or lose it!
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Male menopause?



35
There is no “sudden” loss of hormones in men
as there is in women.
“Andropause” refers to emotional reactions
some men have in response to changing family
relationships, inability to achieve career goals
and accepting their changing body.
A very gradual decline in testosterone begins in
the late teens; by age 55, 20-50% of men have
testosterone levels that would be considered
“low” for a young man.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Effects of lowered testosterone



36
Decreased sensitivity of the penis, longer time
needed to achieve erection, less firm erection,
less forceful ejaculation, testicle shrinkage,
longer refractory period.
Sperm production continues but at a reduced
rate after age 40.
Testosterone replacement therapy can
increase muscle mass and restore sexual
desire in men who experience a hormonally
related decline.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Other issues of “andropause”




37
Other effects of low testosterone - decline in
muscle mass, reduction in bone density,
sparser beard growth and slightly higher voice.
Best predictor of middle-age man’s level of
sexual activity is his level of activity when
younger.
Taking longer to achieve erection often pleases
the female partner.
Reports of overall sex-life satisfaction remain
high in middle age.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
The Elderly Years (Ages 60+)


Our culture has viewed the elderly as sexually
neutered; sex is seen as being for the young.
Among people in their 60s who have partners,
over 70% have sex regularly.
–

38
50% report having sex at least once a week
A study of men and women aged 80-102 found
that ¾ still fantasized about sex and enjoyed
touching and caressing their partners; nearly ½
still engaged in sexual intercourse and 1/3
engaged in oral-genital sex.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Sex among the elderly



39
Sexual activity tends to be limited most by
living arrangements (lack of privacy) or lack of
an available partner rather than lack of
interest.
Elderly people with physical disabilities who
must depend on others for their care
experience even less privacy, even to
masturbate.
Sex after a heart attack – once you can
engage in moderate exercise you’re okay.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall
Attitudes play a key role



40
Most other cultures view their elderly as sexual
human beings; maturity improves sexual
satisfaction.
Adjustment to bodily changes include both
cognitive and medical efforts.
There is more to sexuality than intercourse,
oral-sex or masturbation; elderly people often
report great sexual satisfaction with
emotionally erotic experiences.
King, Human Sexuality Today, 5/e © 2005 by Prentice Hall