Checkpoint Childhood Development and Sexual Behavior

Checkpoint: Childhood Development Sexual Behavior 05/06/2012 Psy/265 Christopher Griffin The sexual behaviors found in fetuses and newborns are that male fetuses have erections. Both male and female fetuses will suck on their fingers. In infancy stimulation of the genitals may produce sensations of pleasure. Early as 8 months of age pelvic thrusting has been observed. Additionally, masturbation has been observed between 6 to 12 months of age. Sleeping with your infant does not affect sexual development. In early childhood statistics in regards to masturbation at ages 3 to 8 is based on perception.
Early in childhood children show their interest in the genitals and may role play. Same sex sexual activity play is more common than in heterosexual play and does not play a role in sexual orientation. In preadolescent it has been observed that preadolescents socialize with same sex friends and become self-conscious about their bodies. Preadolescent’s primary method of obtaining orgasm is masturbation. Sex play in preadolescence involves displaying of genitals by both parties involved and can be with or without touching.
Preadolescent same sex sexual behavior is short lived and mostly for exploratory purpose. In adolescence the major sexual act is masturbation. Adolescents use petting as a pathway to obtaining sexual satisfaction without the possibility of pregnancy or ending their virgin status. Premarital sex has increased mostly in females and very few adolescents report their sexual experience with individuals of the same sex. These encounters have been known to be transitory for the adolescent. Gay adolescents have a much harder time because of stigmatization of society.