Sex is part of life for most, but not all, people. While sex, sexuality, sexual expression, and sexual interests change between cultures and individuals, what we might broadly call sexual behavior is common. Sexual behavior, expression, and interests are not limited to adult life. Sexuality develops throughout the human lifespan. Sexual interests and behaviors are, to some extent and for most individuals, found at nearly all stages of human development (DeLamater & Friedrich, 2002). According to the most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 34% of high school students in the U.S. were sexually active at the time of the survey. Further, 3.1% of females and 8.3% of males report having intercourse before the age of 13 (Center for Disease Control,
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There is ample research on the suspected “causes” or factors of a non-heterosexual identity, but little effort to explain a model of heterosexual identity development (Worthington, Savoy, Dillon, & Verngalia, 2002). Sexuality does not develop in an exclusively linear manner, nor does it develop in a vacuum. There is variety and variability within developing sexuality in childhood and adolescence. As individuals grow their sexuality throughout childhood and adolescence, no single factor determines the end product (DeLamater, 1981; Worthington et al., 2002). There are biological, psychological, and social variables that affect the development of sexuality throughout childhood and adolescence. The goal of this paper is to present a compilation of diverse research about what factors influence sexuality in children and adolescents, and to what degree, as moralistically non-judgmentally as possible, and under the assumption that sexuality is typical for many developing …show more content…
Sexual behavior has been acknowledged by researchers and parents, yet has often been seen through a lens of ethical and cultural concerns (Okami, Olmstead, & Abramson, as cited in Diamond & Savin-Williams, 2004, pg.191). Additionally, research has been intensely focused on risky behavior and intervention, attesting to our culture’s concern with moralizing and restricting sexual behavior in adolescents. More recently, however, the study of adolescent sexuality has taken a turn away from merely pathologizing risky behavior, becoming more directed towards positive normativity of engaging in sexual behavior. In the last couple of decades, many studies have begun consider the potentially positive implications of adolescent sexuality (Zimmer-Gembeck & Helfand, 2007). Studies that are interested in sexual identity and selfhood, relational aspects of sexuality, and the social scope outside of physical development are more common. Even the use of the term “sexuality” development, rather than “sexual” development, denotes a change in research (Tolman & McClelland,
There is ample research on the suspected “causes” or factors of a non-heterosexual identity, but little effort to explain a model of heterosexual identity development (Worthington, Savoy, Dillon, & Verngalia, 2002). Sexuality does not develop in an exclusively linear manner, nor does it develop in a vacuum. There is variety and variability within developing sexuality in childhood and adolescence. As individuals grow their sexuality throughout childhood and adolescence, no single factor determines the end product (DeLamater, 1981; Worthington et al., 2002). There are biological, psychological, and social variables that affect the development of sexuality throughout childhood and adolescence. The goal of this paper is to present a compilation of diverse research about what factors influence sexuality in children and adolescents, and to what degree, as moralistically non-judgmentally as possible, and under the assumption that sexuality is typical for many developing …show more content…
Sexual behavior has been acknowledged by researchers and parents, yet has often been seen through a lens of ethical and cultural concerns (Okami, Olmstead, & Abramson, as cited in Diamond & Savin-Williams, 2004, pg.191). Additionally, research has been intensely focused on risky behavior and intervention, attesting to our culture’s concern with moralizing and restricting sexual behavior in adolescents. More recently, however, the study of adolescent sexuality has taken a turn away from merely pathologizing risky behavior, becoming more directed towards positive normativity of engaging in sexual behavior. In the last couple of decades, many studies have begun consider the potentially positive implications of adolescent sexuality (Zimmer-Gembeck & Helfand, 2007). Studies that are interested in sexual identity and selfhood, relational aspects of sexuality, and the social scope outside of physical development are more common. Even the use of the term “sexuality” development, rather than “sexual” development, denotes a change in research (Tolman & McClelland,