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Chapter 6 The Sexual Self: Close Relationships in Adolescence What are the sexual attitudes of adolescents today, and how do these contribute to their sense of self? Sexuality raises questions especially at adolescence. It contributes to adolescents’ developing sense of themselves. Sexual decision making brings adolescents several steps closer to adulthood. These steps can be problematic… Adolescents receive little guidance in these matters Many lack the information needed to make responsible decisions Many find it difficult to decisions responsibly due to conflicting emotions We will examine adolescents’ sexual attitudes and practices. Sexuality forms the bases for emotional intimacy in adolescents’ relationships. Males and females describe their romantic experiences in similar ways. The manner in which sexual experiences are expressed varies with the type of dating relationships adolescents have. Most sexual attraction involves someone of the opposite sex. A small percentage discovers they are attracted to those of their own sex. The biological and psychosocial bases of sexual attraction will be another topic. The sexual response cycle is similar for all individuals. Research reveals 4 phrases of response… Excitement Plateau Orgasm Resolution Puberty brings new sexual feelings and emotions integrated into a sense of oneself. Doing so is difficult because of feelings that have been labeled as forbidden or bad. Adolescents must revise the old self to so that what they add fits in. To be sexual is to be adult. One must leave behind the child to take on the adult. Conflict is experienced when contemplation their own sexuality. Conflict can interfere with responsible sexual decisions (especially when one becomes frustrated), often leading to avoidance and denial. Rather than consciously thinking through the consequences of becoming actively sexual, these adolescents will engage in sex without planning to do so- and without doing so responsibly.
The lack of consistent adult guidance makes the transition to adult forms of sexual behavior even more difficult. Adolescents usually cross this terrain guided by someone their own age (tendency is to seek advice from ones peer as one gets older). Parents are rarely cite parents as their principal source of information, despite seeing adults as being more accurate sources (sexual decision making often reflects considerable misinformation). Attitudes surrounding sexuality are not likely to be openly discussed, especially with parents. Adolescents also find it hard to talk about sex with their friends and even with their sexual partner. Those who do talk to their parents are not as likely to begin their sexual experiences early or to engage in high-risk behaviors once they have begun. Those who can talk with their sexual partner engage in sex more responsibly. When adolescents do talk with their parents, they report talking more frequently with their mothers, perhaps because they regard their mothers’ somewhat better at communicating about sexuality than fathers. Parents talked to their daughters more than their sons. Mothers were more likely to talk to their children. As a result, sons had less opportunity to discuss sexual matters with same-sex parent. Any discussion with sons was less likely to discuss issues of morality or values. Values can be communicated in many different ways. One important way is by teaching adolescents to be responsible for their actions and to have respect for others. Parental influence is through strong bonds, lessening the need for peer approval. Masturbation It is a sexual practice that evokes considerable concern. Past generations were taught that it was morally wrong resulting in physical deformities or disease. It is considered a normal sexual outlet. It can help adolescents learn how their bodies respond sexually. Most still view it with some embarrassment. Forms of Sexual Behavior Progression of sexual activities->necking (kissing), touching breast (over then under clothing), touching genitals, to intercourse. By 12th^ grade half of all adolescents in a national survey had sexual intercourse. Males are likely to touch the genital area of the female. Males experience more permission to be sexual active than females. Adolescent’s girls need more commitment in a relationship in order to touch their partners than they do to allow their partners to touch them. Attitudes toward oral sex (an alternative to intercourse) are more positive than they have been in previous generations; it has increased in frequency among adolescents. The percentage of high school students who reported ever having sexual intercourse has decreased over the past 10 years. The percentage of adolescents who have engaged in intercourse increases with age (9th^ grade: 34.4%, 12th^ grade: 60.5% reported having intercourse).
Constructing a Sexual Identity How do adolescents think of themselves as sexual beings? How do they conceptualize their sexual selves? And how does this sense of themselves then relate to their sexual behavior? Buzwell & Rosenthal-> Aspects of the sexual self The Constructive Perspective: we actively put together the events to which we respond, and in the process give meaning to experience. Adolescents are likely to construct self-perceptions along these 3 dimensions Their perception of worth as sexual beings (sexual self-esteem) o I feel good about my sexual behavior. o I am confident that males/females find me sexually attractive. The control they perceive to have over their sexual experiences (sexual self- efficacy) o The confidence to say I do not want to have sex. o To ask for a certain type and amount of sexual stimulation. o The confidence to use a condom. Their beliefs about their sexual needs (sexual self-image) o I have very strong sexual desires. o I would like to experiment when it comes to sex. o I would find it hard to relax while having sex. o There needs to be a commitment before I have sex with someone. Adolescents’ construction of their Sexual Selves 5 Sexual Styles Sexually Naïve: adolescents have little confidence in their sexual attractiveness; feel they little control over a sexual situation (Youngest in the group and mostly girls; most were virgins). They were anxious in sexual situations. Sexually Unassured: had low self-esteem and little sense of control in sexual encounters; interest in exploring their sexuality. They were anxious in sexual situations; most were young; tended to be boys; sexually inexperienced. Sexually Competent: confident in themselves (sexual appeal and their ability to control a sexual situation; less anxious, more interested in exploring their sexuality with moderate levels of commitment; both girls and boys, 12th^ grade; most were sexually experienced.
Sexually Adventurous: highly confident in their sexual attractiveness and of their ability to take charge of their sexual encounters; distinguished by high levels of sexual arousal; interested in sexual exploration; little anxiety and little relationship commitment; older; sexually experienced; majority were boys. Sexually Driven: highly confident in their sexual attractiveness and of their ability to take charge of their sexual encounters; unable to say no to sex; most were sexually active boys. Differences in sexual style are associated not only with sexual experience but with different patterns of sexual behavior->those with confidence in their sexual attractiveness and in their control over sexual encounters took greater risk and had more sexual partners and more one night stands. Personal Construction of their Sexuality-> Adolescents beliefs about themselves as sexual beings are associated with differences in their behavior. Sexual intimacy is associated with increasing commitment in a relationship. Those individuals who engaged increasingly intimate sexual behaviors increased with the degree affection and commitment in the relationship (moving toward being like their parents without marriage). Regan & Berscheid-> examined some of the beliefs of late adolescents and young adults concerning causes of sexual desires in others. Most believed that… Thoughts of love or romance caused sexual desire in women For men, erotic factors were considered important (how sexy the woman looked) Romantic relationships involve Conflict and adolescents adopt a variety of coping strategies 6 Tactics Commonly Used to Cope with Conflict Compromise; Distraction; Avoidance; Overt Anger; Violence; Seeking Social Support. Sexuality and Intimacy Demands of Sexual Decision Making in Romance and Dating-> deciding factor is what adolescents want to bring to, and want out of a dating situation. Adolescents who have a clear sense of themselves as individuals should be more likely to look for emotional intimacy in their dating relationships than do adolescents who are still working on identity issues (Erikson). Adolescents with Intimacy Goals->place greater importance on emotional interdependence and open communication in a relationship, whereas those with Identity Goals should focus more on self-reliance and sexual pleasure.
Many lesbians were aware of there attraction to other females very early in adolescence and that bisexual females were also, though on average a bit later. For adolescents of either sex, awareness that they are gay or lesbian often develops only gradually. It starts with a sense of “feeling different” during childhood. These feelings assume sexual significance with puberty and homosexual attractions. Even then a feeling of confusion may follow. Even those who are predominantly attracted to those of their own sex may alternately consider themselves to be straight, gay or bisexual. In part, the confusion may reflect the fact that many may report being attracted to individuals of both sexes from early adolescents on. One study of 75 gay men found that most had noticed being attracted to someone of the same sex by about the age of 10 but had not necessarily considered themselves homosexual (some didn’t until their 20’s or 30’s). This confusion may reflect the difficulty such teenagers experience in identifying themselves as members of a group considered to be deviant by society. Gay, lesbian, and bisexual adolescents face a number of additional problems-> academic performance frequently deteriorates, substance abuse, suicide (1/3 of gay males and lesbians have done so). Suicide tendencies in gay and lesbian youths: ½ thought about suicide and at one point or another, and a 1/3 had actually made a suicide attempt, most during adolescence, and most mentioned sexual orientation as a reason contributing to the attempt. Not all research paints such a bleak picture. Edwards (1996) found late adolescent gay males whom he studied to be well adjusted and comfortable with their sexual orientation. Most had not revealed their sexual orientation to others. Peplau (1995) -> found, at least among women, psychological well-being was related to support from their social network and that lesbians and heterosexuals reported similar amounts of support. Additionally, being in a relationship, as opposed to their sexual orientation, predicted their sense of well-being. Biological and Psychological Bases of Sexual Attraction What determines one’s sexual orientation? Are we born straight or gay? Can sexual attraction be traced to formative experiences, such as the type of family one is raised in or a first sexual encounter? Biological Factors-> Bailey & Pillard (1991) interviewed gay and bisexual men with twin brothers Identical: [monozygotic] twins share the same genetic makeup; have developed from the same cell [zygote].
Fraternal: [dizygotic] twins develop from separate cells and are no more similar genetically than other siblings. If there is a genetic contribution to sexual orientation, more identical twin brothers should both be homosexual than fraternal twins. The study also included a third group of gay and bisexual men, these men had adoptive brothers, that is, with no shared genetic background. It was expected that the co-incidence of homosexuality would be lowest in this third group. Findings-> over 50% of the of the identical twins whose brothers homosexual were themselves homosexual; only 22% of the fraternal twin brothers ; 11% of the adoptive brothers were. Comparable finding were found for females. Identical: 48 % Pattatucci & Hamer (1995) found higher rates of Fraternal: 16 % nonheterosexuality among female relatives of lesbians. Adoptive: 6 % Susan et al, 1996 found that, by far, the majority of children brought up in lesbian families notheless considered themselves to be heterosexual and did not differ in sexual orientation from children brought up in heterosexual single mothers, where there was also no father in the home. Overall, these findings strongly suggest a genetic component to sexual orientation. Research suggests that the path of genetic transmission, at least for males, is likely to be through the mother. The precise means by which genes might influence sexual orientation is not known. It is also possible that individuals may be genetically predisposed to homosexuality but nonetheless develop a heterosexual orientation because of the presence or absence of other contributing factors. Psychological Factors Sexual orientation develops within a psychological environment. Theorists have suggested that homosexuality in males is due to a domineering, overprotective mother and a passive father (one would expect such family influences to affect siblings, and the incidence of homosexuality among brothers of gay males is no higher than in the population at large. Similar attempts have been made to trace lesbianism to traumatic early sexual experiences that may turn these women away from males as objects of sexual desire. However, estimates of the frequency of such experiences are considered higher than the incidence of homosexuality among females. Be careful of myths and misconceptions. Sexual Functioning: Fact and Fiction The Sexual Response Cycle
Bigger is Better: Adolescent boys-> concern about the size of their penis. Comparisons are inevitable. A boy’s penis always looks shorter to him. Misconception-> penis size is related to sexual adequacy. The woman corrects for the size of the penis. Differences disappear when erected. One testicle is higher than the other. This is normal Concern of adolescent girls-> their breast, may notice that one is slightly larger than the other. This is normal. Capacity for Sexual Pleasure-> Myth-> that males experience more sexual pleasure than the females. Females do take longer to reach orgasm and once reached their capacity to achieve additional orgasms exceeds that of a male. Need for Orgasm-> misconception-> only males need to reach orgasm-> discomfort comes when the male or female reach the plateau stage but not orgasm, the result of blood vessels remaining engorged in the pelvic and genital areas. Intercourse During Menstruation->Current perception-> menstrual is untidy (sanitary napkins). Negative attitudes are likely to persist as long as we have a polarized society in which the attributes of one sex are valued more than those of the other. Intact Hymen and Virginity-> misconception-> the presence of the hymen indicates virginity. It can actually tear during childhood with active play or curious exploration. Some girls are not born with a hymen and in other intercourse does not result in the rupture of it, it just stretches it. Contraception Use Early sexual activity does not result in early contraception use. ¾ of a million adolescent girls become pregnant every year. Most of them do so unintentionally. National Survey-> ¾ of high school students sexually active indicated that they or their partner has used some form of birth control before last having intercourse (57.9% used condoms; 18.2% used the pill. Contraception use changed with age. There was a decreased in the use of the condom and the use of the pill increased. Age indicated a steady dating relationship. Why condom use is so sporadic for adolescents lack of information o adolescents are misinformed about their reproductive capabilities o girls believe they are too young to get pregnant o You can get pregnant by having intercourse just once o Lack of information from parents (depends on the quality of the relationship, willingness to talk when disagreement arise rather than avoid potential conflict; level of self-esteem and individuation of the adolescent o Sex Education programs result in safer sex practices.
inability to accept one’s sexuality o One’s first sexual encounter can occasion considerable conflict (especially girls) -> moral issues; in some homes sexual matters are cloaked with secrecy; discussions are infrequent or absent entirely. o Adolescents are uncomfortable discussing their sexuality even those who are sexually active. o Adolescent’s girls who are able to accept and talk about their sexual behavior are more likely to use contraceptives effectively. o Many females fail to use contraceptives because they think it isn’t feminine to plan to have sex or to take precautions against getting pregnant. cognitive emotional immaturity o Thought that is limited by experience is limited to what has happened before. (Most have never been pregnant before). Most adolescents don’t image things they have not experienced. o Some adolescents may be facing sexual decisions while still approaching daily problems in a concrete fashion, their thinking limited to what is immediate and currently apparent. The pressures of the moment do not allow them to consider future consequences (young girl being flattered by an older boy) o The absence of practical experience and accurate information can make imagined consequences hard to evaluate. (such things only happen to others) o Early adolescence-> creates an imaginary audience->imagining that other are aware of their feelings or activities can mean that their private fantasies about sex risk becomes public knowledge. Teenage Mothers More than half the teenagers who become pregnant choose childbirth over abortion, and more than 95% keep their infants-> likely to come from low-income families; less likely to receive regular prenatal care; more likely to have infants with health problems. Teen mothers are not ready for parenting and experienced more stress in this role than adults; know less about infants; less responsive and adaptive to their infants’ needs. They turned to their own mother for help, support and advice. Friends were also an important source of support. Adolescent Mothers who Chose to Keep their Infants-> finished high school; were regularly employed; periodically on welfare, most supported themselves and their families; majority coped.
Adolescents believe that other people get STD’s-not them. Most diseases have reached epidemic proportions. Adolescents who are sexually active are likely at some point to get a STD. Some Common STD’s Chlamydia-> is one of the most common STD’s among adolescents. It is a bacterial infection and can be treated with antibiotics. Many adolescents experience no initial symptoms (females). Symptoms: urethral itching and painful urination; discharge. Serious consequences result from ignoring the symptoms (females). It can spread through the reproductive tract, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). It leaves scar tissue and increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus). Both sexes can become sterile. Gonorrhea-> is a bacterial infection. Transmitted through intercourse, oral-genital sex or even kissing. Few if any symptoms are experienced (females). In males the symptom is water discharge from the penis. Both may experience with urinating. It can spread through the reproductive system, leaving scar tissue that can block the tubules and cause infertility; affects the joints; cause arthritis; affects the heart values. Early adolescents using oral contraceptives are at greatest risk of infection (immature cervix); infection can lead to a high risk of cervical cancer. Women should get routine Pap Tests. Prompt treatment with antibiotics can cure the infection completely. Genital Warts-> also known as condyloma, are caused infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV). The warts are painless, dry, light-colored outgrowths on the genitals or rectum; it has a know relationship with cervical cancer (successfully treated when detected early). Get Pap Tests at least once per year. Genital Herpes-> infection caused by the herpes virus; spread by sexual contact or by hand after touching an infected area. It can survive for several hours on surfaces: toilet seats, sauna benches, towels and tap water. Cluster of itching blister appear, usually on the genitals; or rectum; or cervix, or in the urethra, accompanied by slight fever, headache, and body soreness. Outbreak can occur at any tie. No cure exists. Syphilis-> transmitted through sexual contact; bacterial infection; can be transmitted through contaminated blood transfusions or passes from an infected pregnant woman to her fetus. Symptoms occur 2-4 week following infection. Primary Stage : Small painless sores appear on the genitals, rectum, fingers, mouth, or nipples. Secondary Stage : if it goes untreated: symptoms include a rash, fever, headache and sore throat (mistaken for the flu-can come and go for several months-during this time highly infectious sores develop around the genitals and anus. Once these symptoms disappear, the disease enters a latent stage. Latent Stage : Adolescents can no longer infect others but the disease continues its course within the body. Many can stay here and experience no further complications. Other can more into a tertiary stage.
Tertiary Stage : damage can occur to the heart, eyes, brain, and spinal cord. It is easily treated with antibiotics. Public Lice: “crabs” are pests that are usually transmitted sexually but can be transmitted through bed sheets or clothing. Risks for STD’s are greater for adolescents because they will have more sexual partners than adults; are likely to have unprotected sex (girls are more susceptible biologically to certain STD’s than some adults. Risks ->promiscuous and monogamous relationships have risk due to the sexual history of their partner. Taking Precautions-> symptoms such as a discharge or the appearance of sores should receive immediate medical attention. Partners need to be informed so they may receive treatment. Routine medical check ups for sexually active teens are especially advised (females especially, not likely to show symptoms). Health complication can arise. Sexually active adolescents should wash their genitals before and after intercourse; use a condom. Adolescents feel invulnerable to infection and may not take precautions. Others may be too embarrassed if symptoms need medical attention. Early adolescents frequently avoid seeking treatment, assuming the problem will go away; many are afraid their parents will discover their secret problems; many don’t know not how to get treatment or where to go; don’t have money for a doctor visit or for prescription medication. Shame, fear, or anger may prevent adolescents from informing a partner about their own symptoms. HIV Infection and AIDS The chance of acquiring HIV infection through a single instance of unprotected sex is slight (1%). HIV remains the “riskiest of all STD. As of 2001, over 6,500 adolescents were diagnosed as HIV positive and another 4,700 as having AIDS. The incubation period for infection is relatively long, 2-20 years. HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, causing it to break down, leaving the body defenseless against infection, eventually resulting in death from secondary, opportunistic infections. There is no cure; drug treatments combating the development of secondary infections and in prolonging life. HIV infection progresses through several stages, the last of which is AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). The virus can be transmitted by exposure to infected blood (contaminated needles-IV drug users) blood transfusion from an infected person, or sexual contact.
- Comprehensive Sex Education Programs: teach adolescents that abstinence is the most effective and safest way of preventing pregnancy and avoiding STD; these programs include information about safe sex practices (condom use and other forms of contraception), teaching students that these are safer than engaging in unprotected sex. Parents Fear: will teaching adolescents about safe sex lead to more sexual activity?
- Service Learning Programs-> requires students to work as volunteers in the community (tutoring classes; helping out in the nursing homes. They are requires to engage in structured reflection on their volunteer work (meeting for group discussions or journaling. Programs incorporating service learning are the most effective type of sex education programs offered in school. Low-income 7th-8th^ graders attending public school in New York City who participate in service learning along with their classroom instruction in health education were found to be significantly less likely to engage in sexual activity than those who received only the classroom instruction. How might volunteering for other help adolescents make healthier choices for themselves? The caring relationships these adolescents developed through their experiences contributed to their sense of competence and self-worth. After School Program-> the Children Aid Society Carrera-Model Program This program has been found to be highly effective in preventing teen pregnancy. Participants->13-15 years old (they are encouraged to stay with the program throughout high school. Approach-> Holistic: providing not only sex education but also help with such things as schoolwork, finding part-time jobs, and getting into college. The aim is to establish close, family like relationships with the youth. Girls enrolled in the program have been more that 50% less likely to become pregnant than those in the control group. Girls are also significantly more likely to delay sex and to use condoms or another effective contraceptive when they become sexually active. Abstinence Only Programs-> differ from comprehensive sex education programs by teaching that the only appropriate way for adolescents to avoid pregnancy is to abstain from sex. The programs present little to no information concerning the effectiveness of contraceptives in preventing pregnancy or STD. When contraception is discussed, it is typically in terms of its failure to completely protect against pregnancy or disease rather than its effectiveness. Federal funding of abstinence only program has increased despite the absence or research demonstrating the effectiveness of such programs in getting adolescents to postpone sex.
A national survey found that 93% of adults support comprehensive sex education in the schools, indicating that they want adolescents to be given information on contraception as well as abstinence. Over 90% of teachers also favor teaching adolescents about contraception, although 25% of them indicate they are prevented from including this information in the programs they teach. http://www.coe.iup.edu/briscoe/edsp373/Chapter6.doc
