| Age |
Characteristics
of Sociosexual Development |
| Before
birth |
Male
fetuses have erections, female fetuses have sexual responses. |
| Months
6–12 |
Genital
self-exploration and masturbation occur. |
| 2
years |
Children
show an awareness of biological sex and understanding of sexual identity. |
| 3–5
years |
Children
begin to conform to society’s messages about how female and male
should act, and show an understanding of gender roles. |
| 5–12
years |
Children
may begin to show romantic interest, and first signs of sexual orientation
or preference toward females or males, depending on cultural norms. |
| 8–12
years |
First
physical signs of puberty appear (slightly earlier for females than
for males). Girls menstruate at around nine years of age, boys begin
to produce sperm by ages 11–18. |
| 40–65
years |
The
process of reproductive system aging begins. This occurs slightly
earlier for women (can be as early as the mid-30s) and ends earlier
(mid- to late 50s) than for men. It is characterized by altered patterns
and lowered estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Sexual function
continues, with responses altered (see Sexual Response and Aging
section). |
