Behaviour problems &

Sexual behaviour

Dr. Alok Acharya

Behaviour problems

• The behaviour problems in children may be classified as below:

• (a) Problems antisocial in nature : Stealing, lying, gambling, cruelty, sexual offences,
destructiveness.
• (b) Habit disorders : Thumb sucking, nail-biting, bedwetting, masturbation.
• (c) Personality disorders : Jealousy, temper-tantrums, timidity, shyness, day-dreaming, fears
and anxieties, unsociability, hysterical manifestations.
• (d) Psychosomatic complaints : Tremors, headache, asthma, depression, delusion,
hallucinations.
• (e) Educational difficulties : Backwardness in studies, school phobia, school failures, etc.
• Some of the behaviour disorders are due to mental deficiency; some are due to organic
disease and some due to failure in adjustment to external environment. The answer to these
problems lies in improvement of living conditions, better social environment and education.
Behaviour problems
• Some of the behaviour disorders are due to mental deficiency;
• some are due to organic disease and
• some due to failure in adjustment to external environment.
• The answer to these problems lies in improvement of living conditions, better
social environment and education.
JUVENILE DELINQUENCY

• Delinquent as "a child who has committed an offence" .

• Juvenile means a boy who has not attained the age of 16 years and a
girl who has not attained the age of 18 years.
• Delinquency is not merely "juvenile crime" .
• It embraces all deviations from normal youthful behaviour and
includes the incorrigible, ungovernable, habitually disobedient and
those who desert their homes and mix with immoral people, those with
behaviour problems and indulge in antisocial practices.
Sexual behavior
• Sex: Whether a person is male or female and is determined by reproductive organs
and how people express their gender, and it also means sexual intercourse. Sex is
part of sexuality
• Sexuality:
• Sexuality is integral to a person’s identity and develops throughout life, from birth
to death.

• A person’s sexuality is influenced by their experiences and social, emotional,

physical, cultural, economic and political factors.

• It is natural for people across all ages to express their sexuality through their
behaviour.

• Sexual behaviour may be expressed in a variety of ways, including language,

touch, exploring one’s own body or another’s, sexual activity, games and
interactions.
Physical Changes of Adolescence
• Puberty: period of rapid physical changes in early adolescence
during which the reproductive organs mature
• onset between 8 to 14 years; 2 years earlier in girls
• triggered by release of pituitary gland hormones called
gonadotropins
• Chemically identical in males and females
• In males, cause testes to increase testosterone production
• In females, cause ovaries to increase estrogen levels
Physical changes during puberty
• Primary sex characteristics: physical characteristics in genital development
that indicate sexual maturity

• females:
• thicker vaginal walls
• larger uterus
• enlarged labia
• vaginal secretions
• menarche around age 12 to 13; age has fallen

• males:
• larger prostate, penis, seminal vesicles, and testes
• 1st ejaculation around 13
Physical changes during puberty
• Secondary sex characteristics physical characteristics other than genital
development that indicate sexual maturity
• both sexes:
• pubic hair,
• growth spurt (earlier in girls)
• genitals enlarge
• axillary oil-secretion

• females: - males
• breast buds • voice deepens
• voice changes • facial hair
Physical changes during puberty

secondary

primary
Normal sexual development

There is a normal process by which children develop sexually and emotionally. This
takes place from infancy. The main aspect of this is children’s curiosity; they have a
natural desire to learn about their bodies, their emotions and those of others.

Some sexual behaviour is a normal part of growing up, as part of developing social
relationships.

Understanding sexual behaviour as part of children growing up and dealing with

inappropriate behaviour in a sensitive but firm way is a positive way to support their
development.

When children or adolescents display sexual behaviour that increases their vulnerability
or causes harm to another, adults have a responsibility to take action to provide support
and protection.
 Sexual behavior during adolescence
• The sexual double standard
• Different standards of sexual permissiveness for women and men--more
restrictive standards are applied to women
• Recent evidence suggests that double standard exists but may be diminishing
• Males
• focus of sexuality = conquest
• peers reinforce aggressive & independent behaviors
• females
• focus of sexuality = relationship
• dilemma: need to appear sexy to attract males, but does not want to appear
“easy”
Risky Sexual Behavior
• Early initiation of sexual intercourse
• Unprotected intercourse
• Multiple sexual partners
• Sex while under the influence of drugs
or alcohol
 Sex and Developmental Needs
• Having sex is pleasurable and can enhance one’s sense
of intimacy with others
• Being sexually active may enhance status in adolescent
peer groups
• Initiation of sexual behavior marks a transition to more
adult behavior
• Having sex may be a way to assert autonomy from
parents
Associations With Risk Factors
• Early onset of puberty
• Substance abuse
• Childhood sexual abuse
• Media portrayal of sex and
sexuality
• Low parental monitoring
 Sexual behaviours that are outside what is considered
‘normal’ – behaviour that is excessive, secretive,
compulsive, coercive or degrading indicates a need for
RED immediate intervention and action.

Sexual behaviours that are outside ‘normal’ behaviour

in terms of persistence, frequency or inequality in age
or developmental abilities signal the need to take
notice and gather information to assess the appropriate
action.
AMBER

Sexual behaviours that are ‘normal’ and considered

healthy – spontaneous, curious, light-hearted, easily
distracted, experimentation and equality of age, size
and ability levels provide opportunities to give the
child or adolescent positive feedback and information.
GREEN
Adolescents - Assessment and treatment
Issues in Harmful sexual behaviour (HSB)
• Cognitive ability
• Sexual Knowledge
• Abuse in childhood
• Mental health issues & impulse control
• Sexual deviance
• Social background and family attachment issues
• Emotional stability
• Cognitions consistent with HSB
Characteristics of adolescents who show
HSB
• Socially isolated;
• lack sexual knowledge;
• disturbed family relationships.
• Unusually high incidence of sexual and physical abuse. Multiple abuse
victims
 Protective Factors

Religiosity of positive peer group attitudes towards delaying

• Perception
• intercourse and/or contraceptive
Close parent-child relationship use
•• Access
Positivetoparent
STI screening, treatment and counseling
communication
• Access to condoms and other contraceptives
• Access to prevention education
• Thanks !