Paper Title
Understanding Variation in Normative Childhood Sexual Behavior: The Significance of Family Context
Keywords
- childhood sexual behavior
- family context
- social constructionism
- preadolescent development
- african american families
- sexual beliefs
- family structure
- primary caregivers
- child development
- sexual customs
- caregiver education
- behavioral variation
- normative behavior
- early sexuality
- parenting influence
- socioeconomic factors
- cultural norms
- sexual socialization
- child psychology
- family dynamics
- developmental psychology
- sexual health education
- environmental influences
- caregiver-child interaction
- early childhood studies
- childsexual behavior
- normativesexual development
- childsexuality
- african american children
- african american primary caregivers
- sexual behavior (child)
- normative sexual behavior
- sexual development (child)
- childhood sexuality
- familial context
- familial customs
- variation
- parenting influences
- family environment
- early childhood behavior
- sociocultural factors
- childhood behavioral norms
- parental beliefs
- childhood experiences
- social learning
- child health and well-being
- sexual norms
- early sexual expression
- household structure
Article Type
Research Article
Journal
Research Impact Tools
DOI
Publication Info
Volume: 83 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 611-631
Published On
December, 2009
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Abstract
The sexual behavior of children is understudied and not well understood. Applying a social constructionist perspective to childhood sexual behavior, the present study investigates familial factors that influence the normal expression of such behavior. Analysis of data from primary caregivers of preadolescent African American children shows that childhood sexual behavior varies in accordance with the sexual beliefs and customs of the family. The family structure and the educational status of the primary caregiver also are found to be correlated with childhood sexual behavior. Although the findings must be interpreted cautiously, they provide evidence for the usefulness of a social constructionist perspective, thus illustrating the importance of considering the familial context in assessing childhood sexual behavior.
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