Vygotsky (1978) states "Every
function in the child's cultural development appears twice: first, on the
social level, and later on the individual level…” although he was referring to the
development of social and cognitive skills, had the quote been reversed, he
could have been talking about their sexuality as well (p. 56). Many
parents are unaware of the sexuality of his or her child or children. However, sexuality throughout childhood is
considered a normal function of development at every stage: infancy, early
childhood, preadolescence, and adolescence.
Most people do not want to consider
sexuality in infants; however, even in infancy sexuality develops. Although many signs can only be observed by
outward physical observations; such as erections and pelvic thrusting, there
are other indications of sexuality in infancy so subtle they may go
unobserved. Kinsey and colleagues, (1953)
as restated by Rathus, et. al., (2005) indicate baby boys as young as five
months and girls as young as four months demonstrate behaviors of orgasm, though
not directly related masturbation begins by rubbing genitals on objects such as
toys and blankets. As children begin to
explore their world, they also begin to explore their own bodies and those
around them, typically around age two.
In early childhood, age’s three to eight; children learn what acceptable
exploration is, whether in public or private from the behavior of his or her
parent or caregiver. Kissing, touching,
and showing their genitalia to others is common sexual development at this
stage. Though not uncommon, indicates
Rathus and colleagues (2005) “sex games like ‘show’ and ‘playing doctor’” also
begin at this stage (p. 431).
Preadolescence (age 9 – 13) begins the period of sexual exploration
within a wider group of friends. A
preoccupation of the self becomes easier to identify in children; with peer
pressure to conform and a desire to understand his or her developing body as
compared to others. Masturbation also
increases during this stage of sexual development. According to Kinsey and colleagues (1948,
1953), as restated by Rathus et. al., (2005) “45% of males and 15% of females
masturbated by age 13” (p. 433). During
this stage and the beginning stages of adolescence sexual development is a
mixture of formal education and miseducation.
Adolescence; that awkward period
between puberty and adulthood, boys and girls learn about sex from a formal
sexual education in schools and the mostly misguided understanding of sex from
their friends. Hormones are usually in
full heightened states during this stage of sexual development; secondary
sexual characteristics develop (e.g. breasts, muscles, hair) and primary sex
characteristics mature (e.g. reproductive maturation; menarche and
ejaculation). Masturbation becomes a
major outlet for sexual release during adolescence: 46% of boys and 24% of
girls report masturbating in the Coles and Stokes 1985 national survey (Rathus,
et. al., 2005). Dating during
adolescence provides an opportunity for further exploration such as petting,
oral sex, and coitus.
All the stages of normal childhood
sexual behaviors are easier to identify when highlighted. Harmless and natural, sexuality can be seen
in infants as he or she rubs and fondles his or her genitals. Advancing into a show and touch stage from
early childhood and into preadolescence (e.g. playing doctor), which develops
into advanced masturbation, petting, and even intercourse in the adolescent
years. Hormones, nature, and culture have
a way of helping each child develop sexually through a process of, for the most
part, self-exploration.
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