Many factors are effective in sexual development. If we evaluate in order of priority
Biological Factors: Biological development begins in the womb. Sex-related chromosomes and biological structures begin to form and develop in the mother's womb. It is an important phase where being a boy or a girl is decisive.
Environmental factors: After the baby is born with its own gender, it first acquires the roles and behavior patterns appropriate to its gender from its closest environment, its family. Mother and father play a very important role in the development of gender roles and sexual development. In order for the child to exhibit behaviors, thoughts and emotions appropriate to his/her gender by adapting to the social environment; Families are very effective in sexual development.
Socio-cultural factors: As children grow up, areas where they can act more independently from the family can also be effective in sexual development. Friend relationships, television programs, social media, and school have an impact on sexual development.
Sexual development is very important in the early infancy stage. During this period, babies discover their own bodies. Rather, his perception of his own body begins and continues by touching himself. As babies touch themselves, they discover their different limbs - arms, legs and hair. Thanks to these discoveries, feelings and emotions about their own gender begin to form. Babies discover their genitals externally and as they get older, they begin to discover and adopt the games, toys and clothing style appropriate to their gender.
PERIOR PROBLEM: Problems that may occur during this period include being uncomfortable with the baby's exploration of touch and being as obstructive as possible. Being uncomfortable with the child touching one's own body and exhibiting an obstructive attitude creates distress. It is a problem that the child's need to explore and touch his own body is not met sufficiently and this situation is suppressed by the parents. Trying to prevent the baby from coming into contact with its mother and not breastfeeding the baby are situations that may cause problems during this period.
First Childhood Period; It is the period between the ages of 2 and 6, when infancy ends and early childhood begins. first childhood d important, that is, children from the age of 3; He can realize his own gender and gain awareness. Models behaviors appropriate to his/her gender role and chooses to play with toys appropriate to his/her gender identity while playing. During this period, children explore by asking questions rather than touching. They are in a state of discovery by asking and applying everything. He may be curious about his friend's sexual organ and try to get to know the opposite sex. He may fantasize about marriage with the parent of the opposite sex. For example, a 5-year-old girl can say that she will marry her father when she grows up. He asks questions to understand the gender difference between boys and girls and reflects this situation in his plays during this period.
PERIORAL PROBLEM: The biggest problem that may occur in this period is that families give incomplete or excessive answers to the questions asked by children, that is, by going into unnecessary details. These questions must have clear and short answers. Questions about sexuality should not go beyond satisfying the child's curiosity about a simple object. Blocking the questions they ask, silencing and shaming the child are among the problems of this period. Exaggerating too much while cleaning the toilet can cause problems. It is necessary to clean children's genitals without touching them too much. You should wear underwear when taking a bath. Children should not bathe without underwear in order to develop privacy and body autonomy.
Secondary Childhood Period: This period covers the period from 6 years of age and onwards until the age of 12. As the early childhood period ends, there are differences in children during this period. Gender difference and sexual identity and roles appropriate to that identity have been determined. This period is the phase when primary education begins. Boys acquire social skills by constantly playing games with their peers, and girls with their peers. They spend their energy mostly by establishing social relationships. Interest in sexual matters decreases, school learning and group games become active. In the later stages of the secondary period, interest in sexual issues decreases, and as moral development begins to mature, issues related to sexuality are expressed less.
PERIORAL PROBLEMS: Addressing the child as darling, my love, kissing children on the lips, constantly giving sexual messages, Undressing in public, not paying attention to privacy, and children should not enter the bathroom naked. It should be taught that it can wash itself. Children should be able to wash themselves by the age of 7 and clean the toilet themselves by the age of 5-6. If there is too much intervention during this period, the child may become insecure.
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