|
|
 |
| |
| Adolescent Sexuality |
| |
Adolescents are often sexually
active, a reality that parents, doctors and adolescents
themselves are not always comfortable addressing.
Sexual behavior does not start during adolescence
or adulthood, but with childhood sexual curiosity
and interest in one's own body and the bodies
of one's peers. Even very young adolescents are
interested in "how things work" and
are exposed to a wide range of sexual topics through
friends, school, and the media. Although problems
arise during adolescence from lack of information,
more confusion and difficulties stem from inexperience
with sexuality and lack of decision-making skills.
It is essential to understand sexuality during
the teenage period and to be familiar with ways
to deal with teenagers' questions, feelings, and
problems.
|
| |
| Adolescent Sexual
Development |
| |
| Preadolescence |
- A low physical and mental investment in sexuality.
- Collecting of information and myths about sexuality
from friends, school and family is common.
- Physical appearance is prepubertal.
|
| Early Adolescence |
- Physical maturation starts.
- Extreme concern and curiosity exists about
one's own body and that of one's peers.
- Sexual fantasies are common and may serve as
a source of guilt.
- Masturbation begins during this period and
may be accompanied by guilt.
- Sexual activities are usually nonphysical.
Early adolescents are often highly content with
non-sexual interactions such as telephone calls
to peers.
|
| Middle
Adolescents |
- Full physical maturation
is attained and menstruation begins in females.
- Sexual energy is at a high level, with more
emphasis on physical contact.
- Sexual behavior is of an exploring and exploiting
nature.
- Dating and petting are common, and casual relationships
with both nonsocial and coital contact are prevalent.
- Denial of consequences of sexual behavior is
typical.
|
| Late Adolescence |
- Full physical and sociologic maturation.
- Sexual behavior becomes more expressive and
less exploitative.
- Intimate sharing relationships may develop.
- How do I deal with anger, rejection, and loneliness?
|
| Adolescents are involved with sexual activity
because of peer pressure, in order to experience
affection, to feel grown up, to experience closeness,
for experimentation and because it feels good. |
| |
| Why is Adolescent
Sexuality a Concern? |
- There are opposing views
of sexuality.
- There is a body/mind gap.
- Lack of communication.
- Media
- Peer Pressure
- Development stages
- Sex Education
|
| Recommendations |
| Several suggestions to help
adolescent’s better deal with their sexuality
include: |
| |
| 1. Parental or Counselor
Skills |
- Trying to understand adolescent attitudes about
sex can be frustrating, leading to feelings of
anger on the part of the parent or counselor.
Communication is enhanced if the parent or counselor
tempers his or her own response and tries to listen
to and appreciate the adolescent's feelings and
concerns regarding sexuality. Although adolescents
have control over their own influence -- not through
moralizing, lecturing or invasion of privacy,
but through helping the adolescent in his or her
decision-making process.
- Timing -- Because sexuality begins in childhood,
it is important to treat sexuality as natural
part of life from birth onward.
- Education -- Adolescents should be informed
and knowledgeable -- with the aid of parents,
school or community resources -- in the following
areas: basic reproductive anatomy and physiology.
- Basic sexual functioning, including common sexual
myths and alternatives to intercourse
- The health consequences of sexual intercourse
- The relationship between having sex, using birth
control, getting pregnant and being a parent
- The similarities and differences between male
and female roles
- The range of human relationships
- The components of decision making
- The importance of self-esteem and of respecting
one's choices
- Available resources to utilize to answer concerns,
questions or problems
- Do Not Joke -- Adolescents are uncomfortable
about sexuality, and joking about the subject
only heightens their discomfort.
- Admit Personal Discomfort -- Adolescents respect
honesty, and this approach will often allow for
additional trust between the adolescent and the
parent or counselor.
- Resources -- Be informed about available books,
pamphlets and other resources in regard to adolescent
sexuality.
- Privacy -- Respect the adolescent's privacy.
Although allowing the adolescent to feel comfortable
about discussing sexuality, it is important not
to pry into details
|
 |
| |
|
|
