Milestones in Sexual and Social Development

Milestones in female and male sexual and social development follow general patterns. When you review this information, it is important to remember that some of these milestones are  indications of normal physical development, some are common reactions to physiologic development, and some are culturally determined norms. In every culture, there are a great many individuals whose experiences do not conform to social norms and mores. In your dealings with clients, be careful not to assume that all clients’ behaviors will adhere to the norm.

Sexual development through adolescence

• Before birth, the human sexual response cycle begins. The male fetus achieves erections in utero—and some males are even born with erections. The female sexual response cycle is also functional before birth.
• From ages 6 months to 1 year, genital self-exploration and masturbation occur for both sexes. As soon as babies can touch their bodies, they begin to explore their genitals.
• By 2 years of age, children are aware of their biological sex and show an understanding of sexual identity.
• At 3–5 years of age, children begin to conform to society’s messages about how females and males should act, showing an understanding of gender roles. Also at this age, children will begin asking where babies come from.
• At 5–12 years, depending on cultural factors, children begin to show romantic interest. The first signs of sexual orientation (preference toward males or females or both) characterize this phase.
• At ages 8–13 years, the first physical signs of puberty begin. This period is a transition from childhood to maturity and may occur slightly earlier for girls than boys. Girls between ages 9 and 16 experience first menstruation; boys between ages 11 and 18 see the onset of sperm production. (These pubertal milestones depend on the child’s nutritional status and may be delayed if nutritional status is severely compromised.)
• By ages 10–15, young people usually begin to engage in romantic activity. This milestone depends heavily on cultural factors.

View a chart of
development

The following are important developmental milestones that generally occur after puberty.

First sexual intercourse

The timing of first sexual intercourse (penetrative sex—including oral, anal, or vaginal penetration) varies greatly by culture, but mid- to later adolescence is fairly common across cultures.

While there are often societal and cultural norms for what is considered to be the “appropriate” age and circumstance for first intercourse, health care workers should remember that an individual’s first intercourse may not be consistent with what society condones. For example, in some societies, girls would feel disgraced by premarital or casual sex (although young men in the same culture may be expected or encouraged to engage in sexual intercourse before marriage). This does not mean that some—or even many—girls in these cultures do not engage in premarital sex, but that they may be afraid to disclose any sexual experience they have had to health care providers or others. Clients may have a similar reluctance to disclose first sexual intercourse that is a result of rape, incest, or in cultures where homosexual behavior is taboo, same-sex intercourse.

First intercourse and marriage
In many societies, there are cultural taboos against sexual intercourse outside of marriage. In others, a couple is expected to engage in sexual intercourse—or even conceive a first child—before marriage. In still others, common-law unions are the predominant pattern. (In some cultures, same-sex unions are not uncommon, and some countries have seen an increased focus on the issue of same-sex marriage.)

Rupture of the hymen during first intercourse
For young women, the rupture of the hymen during first vaginal intercourse may be an important cultural milestone—particularly where bleeding at first intercourse is considered a sign of virginity. However, a woman can be born without a hymen (or with a partial hymen). In addition, an intact hymen may not bleed at first intercourse, or the hymen can rupture during activities other than sexual intercourse. For example, in many girls, rupture of the hymen may occur during sporting activities or other physical exercise well before first vaginal intercourse. In some cultures, lack of bleeding at first vaginal intercourse may have significant social implications for a young woman who is perceived as not being virginal at marriage.

First childbirth

Many factors determine when and whether a person has a first child. First childbirth also varies by community and individual. In some communities, a couple is expected to have their first child before marriage (thus proving fertility) or without marriage. In other cultures, first childbirth is expected to occur after marriage, while in still others, pregnancy may lead to marriage. Increasingly in some cultures, couples are choosing to have no children at all, a change made possible in part by the availability of effective contraception and abortion.

Menopause/climacteric

A woman can reach menopause at any time from her mid-30s to her 50s. At menopause, the woman goes through a process of physiological changes characterized by the end of ovulation, menstruation, and the capacity to reproduce. Male climacteric, which occurs at 45 to 65 years of age, is characterized by a decrease in testosterone production.

For both sexes, this milestone can result in changes in cultural status, physical structure, hormonal profile, and sexual functioning. (See the Sexual Response and Sexual Practices module of this course for a more detailed description.)

Older adults can remain sexually active to the end of their lives. There are age-related changes in sexuality, but total loss of sexual functioning is not a part of the normal aging process. Biological changes, illnesses, the therapies for those illnesses, and psychological and social factors can all affect sexuality and sexual functioning for older adults.

Course Home | Module Home Index | Glossary | Help | Next Page

© 2007 EngenderHealth