Development of Sexuality and Gender Identity in Children

Running head: OUR SEXUALITY 1
Our Sexuality
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OUR SEXUALITY 2
Age Groups
During the development of a person, there are several stages which an individual passes
through from childhood to adulthood. The children of the ages between 0 to 9 years, show
different childhood sexual behaviors which occur spontaneously, and are both non-coercive and
mutual. These sexual behaviors involve other children of the same age groups but they cause no
emotional distress to the children. These sexual behaviors are observed in the children and begin
at the age of 2 to 3 years. Some of the typical sexual behaviors during child development
especially those who are below 9 years includes showing private parts to others, self-touch,
looking and touching others private parts. These behaviors observed in the preschool age group
where the children are curious, pleasure seekers and very impulsive (Kerpelman, McElwain,
Pittman & Adler-Baeder, 2016)
The age of 10 to 18 years involves mostly the adolescent’s age group. These are school-
aged group and the following behaviors are observed; self-touch, interested in media content
which involves nudity and they show more interest to their age-mates of the opposite sex.
Developmental Stages
The development of sexuality and gender identity in children involves physical, social,
emotional and cognitive developments. There are four developmental stages according to the
Piaget’s cognitive theory of childhood development. These stages include; preoperational,
sensorimotor, concrete operational and formal operational stage. Most children of age between 0
to 9 years fall under the sensorimotor and preoperational stage of cognitive development while
those from 10 years old to 18 years fall under the formal operational stage of Piaget’s cognitive
theory (Dadvand et al, 2015).