Sexual development does not begin in adulthood or when a person has their first sexual experience. Sexual development begins before birth. Hormones are passed from the mother to the child and chromosomes make the determination of whether a fetus will develop into a male or a female. This is when the journey to sexual development embarks. Both biological and sociological influences can determine a person’s sexual identity.
Biological influences, often called hormones, are the chemical forces that help to influence sexual development. Hormones are produced in several different glands throughout the body and are secreted to different parts of the body as needed to allow sexual activity to take place. Hormones are responsible for many of the body’s functions and assist in the process of homeostasis.
Hormones cause chemical reactions to occur in within the body. These chemical reactions influence the behavior of a person. For instance, “most diseases occur to the over or under secretion of hormones by their respective glands. For example, hyposecretion of insulin by the ß cells of the Islets of Langerhans of the pancreas” (Sexual Differences- The biological process of sexual differentiation, The social process of sexual differentiation, para. 3).
Steroids are sex hormones that control sexual behaviors. Steroids cause sexual changes within humans, such as puberty. The female menstrual cycle is caused by hormones. Sexual hormones are made from a chemical reaction initiating in the male and female sex organs and in the adrenal glands. “For example, estrogen is the primary female sex hormone and it is responsible for promoting secondary sexual characteristics in females” (Sexual Differences- The biological process of sexual differentiation, The social process of sexual differentiation, para. 3). Hormone releases effect cells to cause a reaction to occur. This reaction produces the desired results of that hormone.
Hormones react with proteins and cholesterol to for receptors. Specific hormones released by the thyroid and pituitary glands promote specific behaviors. This behavior is more notable in women than in men. Women have more noticeable changes in sexual behavior, such as puberty, premenopause, menopause, and perimenopause. Levels of hormones and the way that these hormones are displayed in physical and psychological behavior are drastically different during each of these stages. Women experience psychological behavioral differences such as anxiety, impatience, earnestness, and intolerance. Some women also exhibit symptoms of depression during these hormonal changes. “Such personality traits have been observed in men also under various circumstances. This could be directly related to the changing hormones in the body. The hormones have the capability of affecting the neurons in the brain cells and causing certain behavior patterns” (Sexual Differences- The biological process of sexual differentiation, The social process of sexual differentiation, para. 3).
Women and men exhibit very different hormones. There is a genetic difference between men and women and, because of this, the hormones in each act differently. The first sex differentiation occurs at conception. When chromosomes determine the sex of the baby, hormones begin to create sex organs to fit that gender. “If there is a ‘Y’ chromosome present, then the embryonic gonadal (sex glands) become a penis. If there is no ‘Y’ chromosome present, the human embryo is automatically female. In extremely rare cases, there are embryos that have different combinations of chromosomes, which are called hermaphrodites because they are technically both sexes” (Sexual Differences- The biological process of sexual differentiation, The social process of sexual differentiation, para. 3). This begins the sexual life of a human.
Humans are sexual by nature and continue to change and develop sexually throughout life. Sexuality is displayed in a variety of ways throughout life. Each stage throughout life initiates a new change in human sexuality. Biological and psychological changes come with each hormonal change. Healthy sexual development depends both on biological and behavioral factors.
From birth, biological sexual behaviors are displayed. “The capacity for a sexual response is present from birth. Male infants, for example, get erections, and vaginal lubrication has been found in female infants in the 24 hours after birth” (Masters, Johnson, & Kolodny, 1982). Masturbation has been seen in children as young as 2 years old (Masters, Johnson, & Kolodny, 1982). Sexual behavior increases as children get older, however the behavior is often hidden by age 5 as children begin to realize what is socially acceptable. This suggests that psychological sexual behavior begins at a very young age.
By the time a child reaches 10 years old, he or she has realized the social difference of males and females (Thorne, 1993). This type of social organization is known as homosocial. Increases in masturbation occurs during this period. “About 40% of the women and 38% of the men in a sample of college students recall masturbating before puberty” (Bancroft, Herbenick, & Reynolds, in press). Sexual attraction and sexual fantasies also begin during this stage of sexual development.
Puberty occurs in adolescents, usually between the age of 13 and 19 years old. Puberty is the period of sexual development that is associated with the maturing of the gonads and genitalia. Psychological sexual behavior, whether acted upon or only imagined, spikes during this period. “These changes begin as early as 10 years of age to as late as 14 years of age, and include rises in levels of sex hormones, which may produce sexual attraction and fantasies. Bodily changes include physical growth, growth in genitals and girls' breasts, and development of facial and pubic hair” (Thorne, 1993). This phase of sexual development makes adult sexual interactions possible (Udry, 1988).
Sexual development continues into adulthood. The decision making process involved in sexual activity often does not develop until adulthood. Sexual experimentation takes on a new role in adult sexual relationships. “Couples report engaging in a variety of sexual activities in addition to vaginal intercourse, including oral-genital sexuality (70% of married men and 74% of married women), anal intercourse (27% and 21%), and hand-genital stimulation. Many adults continue to masturbate even though they are in a long-term relationship; 17% of married men and 5% of married women masturbate at least once a week” (Laumann et al., 1994).
Later in adulthood, women experience menopause as their body’s hormone levels change again. Similarly, men experience a hormone change known as andropause (Lamberts, van den Beld, & van der Lely, 1997) This period begins around age 50, but can begin as early as 40. In this period, the body experiences a decrease in hormone levels specific to each gender. While lubrication may be necessary for regular sexual activity, this does not stop sexual activity. If a person remains active, his or her sexual life can last beyond age 70 (AARP, 1999).
Human sexuality is a developmental process that continues throughout life. This process is birthed at conception and does not end until death. These biological and psychological processes influence the behaviors-both emotional and physical- of humans. Hormonal changes develop the sexual appetite and ability of each human. Each stage of life displays a unique level of sexual maturity, beginning at birth and ending with late adulthood. These hormones influence sexual identity, ability, and behaviors. Hormone levels create both the ability and the desire for sexual action.
References:
American Association of Retired Persons. (1999). AARP/Modern Maturity sexuality study. Atlanta, GA: NFO Research, Inc.
Bancroft, J., Herbenick, D., & Reynolds, M. (In press). Masturbation as a marker of sexual development. In J. Bancroft (Ed.), Sexual development. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.
Laumann, E. O., Gagnon, J. H., Michael, R. T., & Michaels, S. (1994). The social organization of sexuality: Sexual practices in the United States. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
Lamberts, S. W. J., van den Beld, A., & van der Lely, A.-J. (1997). The endocrinology of aging. Science, 278, 419-424.
Masters, W. H., Johnson, V. E., & Kolodny, R. C. (1982). Human sexuality. Boston: Little, Brown
Net Industries. (2010). Sex Differences. Retrieved from http://psychology.jrank.org/pages/574/Sex-Differences.html
Thorne, B. (1993). Gender play: Girls and boys in school. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press.
Udry, J. R.. (1988). Biological predispositions and social control in adolescent sexual behavior. American Sociological Review, 53, 709-722.
No comments:
Post a Comment