ADOLESCENCE

ADOLESCENCE:

Adolescence is recognized as both a cultural/social phenomenon and as a standardized human development phase.

In sociology, adolescence is seen as a cultural phenomenon for the working world and therefore its end points are not easily tied to physical milestones. The time is identified with dramatic changes in the body, along with developments in a person's psychology and academic career. In the onset of adolescence, children usually complete elementary school and enter secondary education, such as middle school or high school. A person between early childhood and the teenage years is sometimes referred to as a pre-teen or tween.

As a transitional stage of human development, adolescence is the period in which a child matures into an adult. This transition involves biological (i.e. pubertal), social, and psychological changes, though the biological ones are the easiest to measure objectively.

The ages of adolescence vary by culture. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines adolescence as the period of life between 10 and 19 years of age.[1] In contrast, in the United States, adolescence is generally considered to begin somewhere between ages 12 and 14, and end at 19 or 20. As distinct from the varied interpretations of who is considered an "adolescent", the word "teenager" is more easily defined: it describes a person who is thirteen to nineteen years of age.

During this period of life, most children go through the physical stages of puberty which often begins between the ages of nine and thirteen.

Most cultures regard people as becoming adults at various ages of the teenage years.


PUBERTY:

MAIN ARTICLE: PUBERTY

Puberty is the stage of the lifespan in which a child develops secondary sex characteristics (for example deeper voice in boys, and development of breasts in girls) as his or her hormonal balance shifts strongly towards an adult state. This is triggered by the pituitary gland, which secretes a surge of hormones into the blood stream and begins the rapid maturation of the gonads: the girl's ovaries and the boy's testicles.

The onset of puberty in girls appears to be related to body fat percentage. In most Western countries, the average age of menarche fell, in a secular trend, over the last century, possibly because of improved nutrition and increased caloric intake. Some theorists believe that analysis of data shows the age of onset of menarche to correlate to whether a girl lives with her natural father, a stepfather, or no father at all. Yet others propose a climatological connection and attribute the decreased average age of menarche in part to climate change or global warming. The debates regarding both of these theories are politically charged.

PRETEENS

MAIN ARTICLE: PRETEEN

The word preteen describes a child approaching the teenage years. The neologism tween has the same meaning, and isn't in general use as either a colloquial or scientific term. This word comes from the age being between that of a child and a teenager, and perhaps it has also been inspired by the first sounds of numeral twelve and the similarity to teen.

There is no universally agreed definition of "preteen", but the term may roughly be considered as covering the ages from 10 to 13 inclusive.

TEENAGERS

MAIN ARTICLE: YOUTH

The term teenager, or teen, is the usual Western designation for an Adolescent and derives from the western view that adolescence starts at 13 and ends at 20, the seven numbers, 13,14,15,16,17,18 and 19 all end in Teen if expressed in the decimal numerical representation.

Equivalent words in other languages may apply to a larger age bracket, including (at least some) preteens; e.g. tiener in Dutch officially from 12, colloquially from 10.

There are numerous activities in which teenagers engage, namely family, education, work and recreation; these occur in school, home, youth organizations and other settings throughout the community. Many argue that in Western cultures, a distinct youth culture has developed. This culture is often distinctly different from the mainstream culture, sometimes in rebellion against it, and thus is often referred to as a subculture or counterculture, although subcultures or countercultures themselves are not always necessarily youth-oriented. This rebellion is also referred to as youth voice, and is used in positively ways, including youth leadership and youth participation activities.

EMERGING ADULTHOOD

Some scholars have theorized a new stage of development, post-adolescence and pre-adulthood. Arnett (2000) calls this stage "emerging adulthood," and argues that it is characterized by "relative independence from social roles and from normative expectations...Emerging adulthood is a time of life when many different directions remain possible, when the scope of independent exploration of life's possibilities is greater for most people than it will be at any other period of the life course." Arnett notes, however, that this stage is situationally and culturally constructed (i.e., people in other countries may not experience this as a unique life stage).

PSYCHOLOGY OF ADOLESCENTS

MAIN ARTICLE: ADOLESCENT PSYCOLOGY

Adolescent psychology is associated with the notable changes in the behavior and characteristics of adolescents, cognitive, emotional and attitudal changes take place during this period, which can be a cause of conflict on one hand and positive personality development on the other.

Due to the adolescents' experiencing various cognitive and physical changes, it is frequently notable that they start giving more importance to their peer group and less to their parents, due to the aggregated influence of whom they might go on to indulge in activities not deemed as socially acceptable, although this may be more of a social phenomenon than a psychological one.

In the search for a unique social identity for themselves, adolescents are frequently found confused between the right and wrong. G. Stanley Hall denoted this period as one of "Storm and Stress" and, according to him, conflict at this developmental stage is normal and not unusual. Margaret Mead, on the other hand, attributed the behavior of adolescents to their culture and upbringing.[3] However, Piaget, attributed this stage in development with greatly increased cognitive abilities; at this stage of life the individual's thoughts start taking more of an abstract form and the egocentric thoughts decrease, hence the individual is able to think and reason in a wider perspective.[4]

Positive Psychology is sometimes brought up when addressing adolescent psychology as well. This approach towards adolescents refers to providing them with motivation to become socially acceptable and notable individuals, since many adolescents find themselves bored and unmotivated.[5]

It should also be noted that adolescence is the stage of a psychological breakthrough in a person's life when the cognitive development is rapid[6] and the thoughts, ideas and concepts developed at this period of life greatly influence the individual's life in future and play a major role in character and personality formation.[7]

ADOLSCENT SEXUALITY

Adolescent sexuality refers to sexual feelings, behavior and development in adolescents and is a stage of human sexuality. Sexuality and sexual desire usually begins to appear along with the onset of puberty. The expression of sexual desire among adolescents (or anyone, for that matter), might be influenced by social engineering, social control, taboos, and other kinds of social mores.

In the United States, sexual activity among adolescents is sometimes associated with a number of risks as well as stigmas and taboos. The risks of adolescent sexual activity is sometimes associated with include emotional distress, sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV/AIDS) and pregnancy through failure or non-use of birth control. In terms of sexual identity, sexual preferences among adolescents may vary greatly across the spectrum from heterosexuality and LGBT orientations to pansexuality and sexual fetishism.

SOCIAL CULTURAL

Entering post-secondary education is often considered a rite of passage in Western cultures.

In commerce, this generation is seen as an important target. Mobile phones, contemporary popular music, movies, television programs, sports, video games and clothes are heavily marketed and often popular amongst adolescents.

In the past (and still in some cultures) there were ceremonies that celebrated adulthood, typically occurring during adolescence. Seijin shiki (literally "adult ceremony") is a Japanese example of this. Upanayanam is a coming of age ceremony for males in the Hindu world. In Judaism, 12-year-old females and 13-year-old males become b'nai mitzvah and often have a celebration to mark this coming of age. Among some denominations of Christianity, the rite or sacrament of Confirmation is received by adolescents and may be considered the time at which adolescents becomes members of the church in their own right. African boys also have a coming of age ceremony in which, upon reaching adolescence, the males state a promise to never do anything to shame their families or their village. This was also continued among African-American slaves in the early days of slavery before the practice was outlawed. In United States, girls will often have a "sweet sixteen" party to celebrate turning the aforementioned age, a tradition similar to the quinceañera in Latino culture.

Adolescents have also been an important factor in many movements for positive social change around the world. The popular history of adolescents participating in these movements may perhaps start with Joan of Arc, and extend to present times with popular youth activism, student activism, and other efforts to make youth voice heard.


PRE EJACULATE:

Pre-ejaculate (also known as pre-ejaculatory fluid or Cowper's fluid, and colloquially as precum) is the clear, colorless, viscous fluid that is issued from the urethra of a man's penis when he is sexually aroused. The fluid is usually secreted by Cowper's glands during arousal, masturbation, foreplay or at an early stage during sex, some time before the man fully reaches orgasm and semen is ejaculated.

FUNCTION

Pre-ejaculatory fluid prepares the urethra for the passage of semen by neutralizing acidity due to any residual urine. It also lubricates the movement of the penis and the foreskin over the glans. The amount of fluid that the human male can issue varies widely among individuals, from imperceptible amounts to a copious flow.

COMPONENTS

There have been no large-scale studies of sperm in pre-ejaculate, but some smaller-scale studies suggest that any sperm present may be ineffectual at causing pregnancy.[1][2] This may account for the surprisingly low pregnancy rate (approximately 4% per year) among couples that practice perfect use of coitus interruptus.

The same studies have shown the presence of HIV, the virus responsible for the disease AIDS, in pre-ejaculate.



SEXUAL INTERCOURSE:

Vaginal sexual intercourse, also called coitus, is the human form of copulation. While its primary purpose is the reproduction and continued survival of the human species, it is often performed exclusively for pleasure and/or as an expression of love and emotional intimacy. Sexual intercourse typically plays a powerful bonding role; in many societies it is normal for couples to have frequent intercourse while using birth control, sharing pleasure and strengthening their emotional bond through sex even though they are deliberately avoiding pregnancy.

Sexual intercourse is also defined as referring to any form of insertive sexual behavior, including oral sex, as well as anal intercourse. The phrase to have sex can mean any or all of these behaviors, as well as other non-penetrative acts not considered here.

Coitus may be preceded by foreplay, which leads to sexual arousal of the partners, resulting in the erection of the penis and natural lubrication of the vagina.

To engage in coitus, the erect penis is inserted into the vagina and one or both of the partners move their hips to move the penis backward and forward inside the vagina to cause friction, typically without fully removing the penis. In this way, they stimulate themselves and each other, often continuing until highly pleasurable orgasm and ejaculation are achieved. Penetration by the hardened erect penis is also known as intromission, or by the Latin name immissio penis.


SEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Coitus is the basic reproductive method of humans. During ejaculation, which usually accompanies male orgasm, a series of muscular contractions delivers semen containing male gametes known as sperm cells or spermatozoa from the penis into the vagina. (While this is the norm, if one is wearing a condom, the sperm will almost never reach the egg.) The subsequent route of the sperm from the vault of the vagina is through the cervix and into the uterus, and then into the fallopian tubes. Millions of sperm are present in each ejaculation, to increase the chances of one fertilizing an egg or ovum. If female orgasm occurs during or after male ejaculation, the corresponding temporary reduction in the size of the vagina and the contractions of the uterus that occur can help the sperm to reach the fallopian tubes, though female orgasm is not necessary to achieve pregnancy. When a fertile ovum from the female is present in the fallopian tubes, the male gamete joins with the ovum resulting in fertilization and the formation of a new embryo. When a fertilized ovum reaches the uterus, it becomes implanted in the lining of the uterus, known as endometrium and a pregnancy begins.

OTHER FORMS OF SEXUAL INTERCOURSE

ORAL SEX
Oral sex consists of all the sexual activities that involve the use of the mouth, tongue, and possibly throat to stimulate genitalia. It is sometimes performed to the exclusion of all other forms of sexual activity. Oral sex may include the ingestion or absorption of semen or vaginal fluids.

ANAL SEX

Representation of Hadrian having anal sex with Antinous in Egypt

While there are many sexual acts involving the anus, anal cavity, sphincter valve and/or rectum, the specific meaning describes the insertion of a man's penis into another person's rectum.

Functions of sex beyond reproduction
The reverse missionary position is frequently combined with kissing, caressing and embracing.

Humans, bonobos[1] and dolphins[2] are all species that engage in heterosexual behaviors even when the female is not in estrus, that is, at a point in her reproductive cycle suitable for successful impregnation. (These three species, and others besides, are also known to engage in homosexual behaviors.[3])

In both humans and bonobos the female undergoes relatively concealed ovulation, so that both male and female partners commonly do not know whether she is fertile at any given moment. One possible reason for this distinct biological feature may be formation of strong emotional bonds between sexual partners important for social interactions and, in the case of humans, long-term partnership rather than immediate sexual reproduction.[4]

Humans, bonobos and dolphins are all intelligent social animals, whose cooperative behavior proves far more successful than that of any individual alone. In these animals, the use of sex has evolved beyond reproduction apparently to serve additional social functions. Sex reinforces intimate social bonds between individuals to form larger social structures. The resulting cooperation encourages collective tasks that promote the survival of each member of the group.

Alex Comfort[citation needed] and others [4] posit three potential advantages of intercourse in humans, which are not mutually exclusive: reproductive, relational, and recreational. While the development of the Pill and other highly-effective forms of contraception in the mid- and late 20th century increased peoples' ability to segregate these three functions, they still overlap a great deal and in complex patterns. For example: A fertile couple may have intercourse while contracepting not only to experience sexual pleasure (recreational), but also as a means of emotional intimacy (relational), thus making their relationship more stable and more capable of sustaining children in the future (deferred reproductive). This same couple may emphasize different aspects of intercourse on different occasions, being playful during one episode of intercourse (recreational), experiencing deep emotional connection on another occasion (relational), and later, after discontinuing contraception, seeking to achieve pregnancy (reproductive, or more likely reproductive and relational).

COITUS DIFFICULTIES:

While well-suited for effective stimulation of the penis, certain forms of coitus are much less effective at stimulating the clitoris, the seat of the female orgasm, because it is small and outside the vagina. Up to 70 percent of women[5] rarely or never achieve orgasm during coitus without simultaneous direct stimulation of the clitoris with the fingers or other implement. Most women do require such direct stimulation, and ignorance or disregard of this fact is seen as a common cause of female anorgasmia.


Anorgasmia is the lack of orgasm during otherwise pleasurable stimulation. It is much more common in women than men. The condition may be related to a psychological discomfort with or aversion to sexual pleasure, or to a basic lack of knowledge of what the woman finds physically pleasing and is likely to result in orgasm.[citation needed] A sense of shame, or the feeling that she "should" be able to climax can compound the problem, along with feelings of shame on the part of her partner, who may believe that he does not excite her sufficiently.[citation needed] Masturbation is a well supported method for a woman to explore her body and discover what feels good for her. The absence of a partner can remove the sense of performance anxiety and allow the woman to relax and enjoy. Good communication and patience are essential in helping an anorgasmic woman achieve orgasm. Whether a woman considers anorgasmia a problem or not is highly individual, though many women find it very frustrating.

Some males suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED), or impotence, at least occasionally. For those whose impotence is caused by medical conditions, prescription drugs such as Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra are available. However, doctors caution against the unnecessary use of these drugs because they are accompanied by serious risks such as increased chance of heart attack. Moreover, using a drug to counteract the symptom — impotence — can mask the underlying problem causing the impotence and does not resolve it. A serious medical condition might be aggravated if left untreated.

A more common sexual disorder in males is premature ejaculation (PE). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is examining the drug dapoxetine to treat premature ejaculation. In clinical trials, those with PE who took dapoxetine experienced intercourse three to four times longer before orgasm than without the drug.

Vaginismus is involuntary tensing of the pelvic floor musculature, making coitus distressing, painful, and sometimes impossible.

Dyspareunia is a medical term signifying painful or uncomfortable intercourse, but does not specify the cause.



SEXUAL ETHICS AND LEGALITY:

Unlike some other sexual activities, vaginal intercourse has rarely been made taboo on religious grounds or by government authorities, as procreation is inherently essential to the continuation to the species or of any particular genetic line, which is considered to be a positive factor, and indeed, enables most societies to continue in the first place. Many of the cultures that had prohibited sexual intercourse entirely no longer exist; an exception is the Shakers, a sect of Christianity that has four adherents at current. There are, however, many communities within cultures that prohibit their members to engage in any form of sex, especially members of religious orders and the priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church and priests in Buddhist monasteries. Within some ideologies, coitus has been considered the only "acceptable" sexual activity. Relatively strict designations of "appropriate" and "inappropriate" sexual intercourse have been in human culture for hundreds of years. These have included prohibitions against specific positions, but even more often against:
Coitus among partners who are not married (this is sometimes referred to as fornication)

Coitus where a married person has sex with someone to whom they are not married. (called adultery or extramarital sex)

Coitus mongst partners who are not married for consideration (called prostitution).

Coitus amongst partners of the same sex (called sodomy).

Coitus with a close relative (called incest). This may also be called inbreeding in slang terms.

Coitus with children (called pedophilia).

Coitus amongst partners of different species (called bestiality).

More controversially in some societies there are (or have been in the past) taboos (social, religious and sometimes legal) against sexual relations with persons of differing ethnic, tribal or social (e.g caste) backgrounds.

Some cultures and religions, such as Islam and Judaism, prohibit coitus during a woman's menstrual period. This is because sacred texts specifically forbids it. There is no medical reason for abstaining during this time.

Often a community adapts its legal definitions during case laws for settling disputes. For example, in 2003 the New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled that same-sex relations do not constitute sexual intercourse, based on a 1961 definition from Webster's Third New International Dictionary, in Blanchflower v. Blanchflower, and thereby an accused spouse in a divorce case was found not guilty of adultery based on this technicality.

Most countries have age of consent laws specifying the minimum legal age for engaging in sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse with a person against their will, or without their informed legal consent, is referred to as rape, and is considered a serious crime in many cultures around the world, including those found in Europe, northern and eastern Asia, and the Americas. Sex, regardless of consent, with a person under the age of consent is often considered to be sexual assault or statutory rape. The age of consent varies from country to country and often by state or region; commonly, the age of consent is set anywhere between twelve and eighteen years of age, with sixteen years being the most common age the law sets. Sometimes, the age of consent is lowered for people near the same age wishing to participate in intercourse. For example, in Canada, the minimum age of consent for all couples is 14. However, the age of consent can go below 14 on the condition that the couple still aren't 2 years of age apart. Religions may also set differing ages for consent, with Islam setting the age at puberty, which can vary from around 10 to 14. There are exceptions in the case of anal sex or people in a position of trust/authority


DURATION OF SEXUAL INTERCOURSE:

Many men suffer from premature ejaculation. Since most men, unlike women, cannot have multiple orgasms, intercourse normally ends when the man has ejaculated. Thus the woman might not have time to have an orgasm.

Vaginal sexual intercourse typically consists of a period of foreplay, followed by intromission and ejaculation. According to a Kinsey study, just under half of men reported a time to ejaculation from intromission of five minutes or less during their first marriage. Slowly the time increases but on an average duration of sexual intercourse from the time of insertion of the penis into the vagina and ejaculation is 4min to 6 min. Some form of local anesthesia can expand the time but not good for the health of penis and in future it may lead to severe sexual dysfunction.