Slides Gender & Sexual development in Adolescence – Laura Baams
Lecture 1
Learning goals At the end of this course, you will be able to
- Explain the role of pubertal development in adolescent sexual
development
- Describe the development of gender from childhood into young
adulthood
- Understand categories of gender and sexual diversity
- Evaluate the effectiveness of sexuality education
- Critically evaluate different perspectives on gender and sexual
development
When does adolescence begin and end?
What and who do we base this on?
- Nationality/region
- Our own experiences
- Culture
- Opportunity
- Generation
Diversity
Categories of diversity
- Ethnicity, culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ability, age
Minority groups are
- Usually disadvantaged or even discriminated against
- Often required to assimilate
- Sometimes favored through policies of affirmative action
Minority as size of group
Minority in terms of power
We focus on gender and sexuality in adolescence
According to the World Health Organization:
- Young people: 10-24
- Adolescence: 10-18
- Youth: 14-24
- Physical changes
- Neurodevelopmental changes
- Psychological and social changes
Developmental perspective
Onset of adolescence
, - 9-12 yrs old (1-2 yrs earlier for girls)
- Rapid physical growth
- Voice and body changes
- Activation of new drives and motivations
- Changes in sleep
- Social, behavioural, and emotional changes
End of adolescence
- Less clear biological boundaries
- Independent and responsible
- Career, identity, friends, relationships, community, beliefs
- Greater use of cognitive control skills
- Shaped by social experiences
Adolescence can be viewed as Storm and Stress, but also as a Window of
opportunity Vulnerability and strengths
Romantic and sexual development
Puberty: sexual interests turn outward
Exploration of interpersonal sexuality
- crush
- group-dating, one-on-one dating
- sexual relationships
Pubertal development
- Pubertal status
> stage
- Pubertal timing
> early, late
- Pubertal tempo
> fast, slow
Individual differences in pubertal and sexual development
Positive and negative correlates
- Biological
puberty, hormones
- Psychological
self-concept, attitudes and values
- Behavioural
substance use, dating
- Familial
family dynamics
- Peer-related
- Social-contextual
culture, church attendance
, Individual differences in pubertal and sexual development
Psychosocial acceleration theory
- Social stressors (early adversity, rearing) timing of pubertal
development timing of sexual debut
Integrative evolutionary-developmental model for pubertal variation +
sexual selection theory + paternal investment theory
Self-perceived mate value: social and athletic competence, physical
appearance
Assigned male at birth: no relationship between quality of family
relationships and pubertal maturation
Assigned female at birth: no relationship between pubertal maturation and
self-perceived mate value
Lecture 2
Different perspectives on sexual development
Why are intimate relationships important for adolescence: self-awareness
Why are intimate relationships important for adults?
Why might intimate relationships be difficult for adolescence?
From normative to positive sexuality
- Risk perspective: to be avoided; abstinence
- Normative perspective: developmental task to build
romantic and sexual relationships
- Positive perspective: joy, pleasure, satisfaction,
boundaries, efficacy
Lecture 1
Learning goals At the end of this course, you will be able to
- Explain the role of pubertal development in adolescent sexual
development
- Describe the development of gender from childhood into young
adulthood
- Understand categories of gender and sexual diversity
- Evaluate the effectiveness of sexuality education
- Critically evaluate different perspectives on gender and sexual
development
When does adolescence begin and end?
What and who do we base this on?
- Nationality/region
- Our own experiences
- Culture
- Opportunity
- Generation
Diversity
Categories of diversity
- Ethnicity, culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ability, age
Minority groups are
- Usually disadvantaged or even discriminated against
- Often required to assimilate
- Sometimes favored through policies of affirmative action
Minority as size of group
Minority in terms of power
We focus on gender and sexuality in adolescence
According to the World Health Organization:
- Young people: 10-24
- Adolescence: 10-18
- Youth: 14-24
- Physical changes
- Neurodevelopmental changes
- Psychological and social changes
Developmental perspective
Onset of adolescence
, - 9-12 yrs old (1-2 yrs earlier for girls)
- Rapid physical growth
- Voice and body changes
- Activation of new drives and motivations
- Changes in sleep
- Social, behavioural, and emotional changes
End of adolescence
- Less clear biological boundaries
- Independent and responsible
- Career, identity, friends, relationships, community, beliefs
- Greater use of cognitive control skills
- Shaped by social experiences
Adolescence can be viewed as Storm and Stress, but also as a Window of
opportunity Vulnerability and strengths
Romantic and sexual development
Puberty: sexual interests turn outward
Exploration of interpersonal sexuality
- crush
- group-dating, one-on-one dating
- sexual relationships
Pubertal development
- Pubertal status
> stage
- Pubertal timing
> early, late
- Pubertal tempo
> fast, slow
Individual differences in pubertal and sexual development
Positive and negative correlates
- Biological
puberty, hormones
- Psychological
self-concept, attitudes and values
- Behavioural
substance use, dating
- Familial
family dynamics
- Peer-related
- Social-contextual
culture, church attendance
, Individual differences in pubertal and sexual development
Psychosocial acceleration theory
- Social stressors (early adversity, rearing) timing of pubertal
development timing of sexual debut
Integrative evolutionary-developmental model for pubertal variation +
sexual selection theory + paternal investment theory
Self-perceived mate value: social and athletic competence, physical
appearance
Assigned male at birth: no relationship between quality of family
relationships and pubertal maturation
Assigned female at birth: no relationship between pubertal maturation and
self-perceived mate value
Lecture 2
Different perspectives on sexual development
Why are intimate relationships important for adolescence: self-awareness
Why are intimate relationships important for adults?
Why might intimate relationships be difficult for adolescence?
From normative to positive sexuality
- Risk perspective: to be avoided; abstinence
- Normative perspective: developmental task to build
romantic and sexual relationships
- Positive perspective: joy, pleasure, satisfaction,
boundaries, efficacy
