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Childhood Development and Sexual Behavior

In: Philosophy and Psychology

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Childhood Development and Sexual Behavior
Chari Kelley
PSY 265
August 16, 2012
University of Phoenix

Childhood Development and Sexual Behavior
It has been said that we engage in sexual behaviors as young as 0-2 years old. Fetuses can actually express sexual behaviors. During an ultrasound it has been seen by many that male fetuses can have erections. May boys are born with erections and they can also have them during their first few weeks (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2011). It is far more difficult to detect any sexual arousal in the female infant; however evidence of genital swelling and lubrication has been reported (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2011). Infants can show pelvic thrusting as soon as 8-10 months and they begin to masturbate between 6-12 months (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2011).
Throughout the early childhood years children start to wonder about their bodies. They begin to explore one another’s bodies and play games like “doctor”. At this time they will also begin to masturbate by touching their private parts. Not knowing that they are actually masturbating but knowing that they like the feeling they receive when touching themselves.
For the period of preadolescence, which ranges from ages 9-13 (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2011) some sexual behaviors are sexually related rather than sexual (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2011). Children will typically form a bond with a “best friend”. This best friend will be of the same sex and they will share secrets with one another (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2011). This is also the stage when boys think girls are “yucky” and vice versa. They may also experiment in same sex experimentation.
In the course of adolescence puberty starts to take place. Puberty is the biological stage of development during which reproduction first becomes possible.

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