Sexuality at Different Life Stages

Assignment: Sexuality at Different Life Stages

Connie Grubb

PSY/265

January 23, 2010

Dr. Shanda Smith

Sexual development begins before birth and continues to evolve throughout one’s life stages. The physiological and psychological effects of sexual development differ in every individual. Some individuals experience the stages of sexual development after childhood with minimum difficulty. Others find every stage of sexual development after childhood difficult and confusing. Many individuals experience some stages with ease and other stages with more difficulty. In the following paragraphs, I look at individuals experiencing trouble with a different stage of sexual development. I provide guidelines to assist the individuals during this time.

I first look at Anna, an adolescent girl experiencing her first confrontation with making an important sexual decision. Anna has an older boyfriend pressuring her to have sexual intercourse. Anna believes she has fallen in love with her boyfriend. Anna’s parents do not approve of her boyfriend because of the three-year age difference. Her mother worries he wants only to take advantage of Anna and constantly warns Anna about the boyfriend. The attitude of her parents adds to Anna’s pressure and anxiety toward sex.

First, I will reassure Anna that she has legitimate concerns and not dismiss them lightly. Anna needs reassurance and not judgment. Second, I discuss with Anna the physical and hormonal changes that take place during this stage of sexual development. In this way, she receives reassurance concerning the naturalness of her urges and emotions. During this time I plan to discover the extent of Anna’s knowledge concerning sexual behavior, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), contraception, and pregnancy. I correct any myths or misinformation she possesses concerning any of these areas. Third, I inform Anna that she should make any decision to engage in any sexual activity with the risks in mind. Her decision to...