children s health issues
Adolescent Development
Development of Sexuality and Gender in Adolescents
The start of Sexual Maturation (Puberty) (puberty) typically is accompanied by an interest in sexual anatomy, which may be a source of anxiety. As adolescents mature emotionally and sexually, they may begin to engage in sexual behaviors. Masturbation is common among girls and nearly universal among boys. Sexual experimentation with a partner often begins as touching or petting and may progress to oral, vaginal, or anal sex. By late adolescence, sexuality shifts from experimentation to being an expression of intimacy and sharing. Doctors should provide appropriate advice on safer sex practices as part of routine health care and should screen all sexually active adolescents for sexually transmitted infections. As adolescents navigate their sexuality, they may also begin to question their sexual identity and gender identity. refers to a person's anatomy: male, female, or not clearly male or female ( Symptoms ). Gender Identity None Gender Identity None Gender expressionis how people present themselves in public in terms of gender. It includes the way people dress, speak, wear their hair—in fact everything that people say and do that indicates masculinity or femininity. Gender identity starts to develop early on, but may evolve over time. In some children and adolescents, the sex they were assigned at birth does not match their gender identity. This mismatch can cause considerable mental distress known as Gender Incongruence and Gender Dysphoria . Gender dysphoria can be Some adolescents are uncertain about sexual orientation. They may be unsure of what they are feeling, but it is common for adolescents to be attracted to or have sexual thoughts about people of the same sex and people of the opposite sex. However, many adolescents who explore homosexual or bisexual relationships ultimately do not continue to be interested in same-sex relationships, whereas others never develop interest in opposite-sex relationships. Overview of Sexuality , bisexuality, and asexuality are normal variations of human sexuality. Adolescents who have a strong sense of their homosexual or bisexual identity may “come out” to their close friends or family members. Some adolescents may face challenges as their sexual and gender identities develop. They may fear their sexual identity or gender identity will not be accepted by family or peers. Such pressure (especially during a time when social acceptance is critically important) can cause severe stress. Fear of abandonment by parents, sometimes real, may lead to dishonest or at least incomplete communication between adolescents and their parents. These adolescents can also be taunted and Bullying by their peers. Threats of physical violence should be taken seriously and reported to school officials or other authorities. The emotional development of these adolescents is best helped by supportive friends and family members. Few elements of the human experience combine physical, intellectual, and emotional aspects as thoroughly as sexuality and all the feelings that go along with it. Helping adolescents put sexuality and gender identity into a healthy context is extremely important. Parents should share their values and expectations openly with their adolescents but be receptive and supportive as their child’s sexual and gender identities develop. 