Lecture notes:
Youth and Sexuality
Content
Lecture 1a – Course introduction x
Lecture 1b – Psychosexual development x
Literature
Cacciatore et al., 2019
de Graaf et al., 2024
Lecture 2 – Biological and Social perspectives on young people’s sexuality x
Literature
Vanwesenbeeck, 2009
Buss & Schmitt, 2011
Renström & Bäck, 2024
Lecture 3a – The impact of family, peers and the media x
Lecture 3b – Why today’s youth starts having sex later x
Literature
Naezer & van Oosterhout, 2021
M. De Looze, 2025
De Graaf et al., 2025
Lecture 4a – Sexual abuse during adolescence
Lecture 4b – Sexual consent
Literature
Covers et al., 2022
Frederica et al., 2026
Brown et al., 2020
Muehlenhard et al., 2016
Lecture 5a – Sexual and Gender Diversity in adolescence x
Lecture 5b - Intersectionality in sexuality research x
Literature
Goldbach & Gibbs, 2016
Baams & Kaufman, 2023
Cup et al., 2024
Mereish et al., 2022
Lecture 6a – Sex education x
Lecture 6b – interactive interview with former head of WHO’s department on
adolescent sexual and reproductive health x
Literature
Vanwesenbeeck, 2020
Zaneva et al., 2022
, Lecture 1b – Psychosexual development
Sexual health = multidimensional = state of physical, emotional, mental
and social well-being in relation to sexuality
Positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual
relationships
Possibility to have pleasurable and safe sexual experiences
Sexual health
- Body image
- Knowledge
- Love and relationships
- Gender and sexual orientation
- Sexual behavior
- Beliefs and emotions
Sexual development -> life-long process
Experiences impacted by gender
Sexuality has many potential pathways
Research on youth and sexuality controversial > why?
- Developmental sensitivity (not relevant for children)
Importance of using age appropriate language
- Moral and political sensitivity -> misinformation (‘protecting
children’)
Sensitive topics to attract voters
Myth of innocent child -> idea that children are innocent /
asexual
Protection from exposure to sexual content to protect ‘purity’
Dangerous view in the context of sexuality:
-Children are aware of stereotypes (from age 2)
-Children discover their own and other’s bodies
Impedes education
Makes children vulnerable and protects abusers
Causes victim-blaming (loss of innocence)
Overlooks developmental reality
a) Psychosexual development
Infants (birth – 2y)
Exploring body parts
Experience with genital pleasure
Understanding boundaries
Language -> learning names for body parts
Learning expected behaviors for boys and girls / stereotypes
, Toddlers (3y – 4y)
Walking, talking, imagining phase
Becoming aware of gender, body differences and their origin
Copy adult behaviors -> playing mother & father
Gender identity
Childhood (5y – 11y)
Curious about pregnancy and birth
Focus on peer group style of dress and speech -> wanting to fit
in
Same-sex gender friendships
Becoming aware of sexual orientation
9y-11y: beginning of puberty
Early adolescence (12y – 14y)
Insecurity
Desire to be more independent
Participating in risk-taking
Romantic relationship
Kissing / occasionally touching
Friends become more important -> parents remain important >
privacy
Exploring sexually related content on social media
Middle adolescence (15y – 18y)
Physical changes continue
Peer pressure gradually decreases
Influence of social media
Less insecurity -> appearance remains important
Relationships become more personal and intimate
Important sexual orientation milestones
Sex progress in a step-by-step manner (typically / for
heterosexuals)
> Masturbation
> French kissing
> Manual sex
> Oral sex
> Penile-vaginal sex
Late adolescence / emerging adulthood (19y – 24y)
Self-control increases
Legally adults
Leaving home
Going out, drinking and drug use
Serial monogamy
Satisfied with appearance
Positive view of sex
Peak in sexual activity
Peak in problems and risks
Experience with sexting
, b) Conducting research on youth and sexuality
Ethical considerations
Age appropriateness
Youth-friendly language > understanding the questions
Old-fashioned language
Sex = more than penetration
Heteronormative language
Transparent consent procedures > parental consent and child’s
active consent
Active parental consent = under 16y -> signed document
Passive parental consent = assumed consent unless parents take
action
> Should be nationally representative data, but certain
sociodemographic groups are less likely to provide parental
consent
Explicit safeguarding plan
Anonymous survey -> providing a place to go
Ethics review by ethical board
Lecture 2 – Biological and Social perspectives on young people’s
sexuality
Different perspectives to understand sexuality -> and how they are
interconnected
And their misperceptions
Public discourse :
Cultural and societal norms -> how you should behave according to
which
gender you belong
Youth and Sexuality
Content
Lecture 1a – Course introduction x
Lecture 1b – Psychosexual development x
Literature
Cacciatore et al., 2019
de Graaf et al., 2024
Lecture 2 – Biological and Social perspectives on young people’s sexuality x
Literature
Vanwesenbeeck, 2009
Buss & Schmitt, 2011
Renström & Bäck, 2024
Lecture 3a – The impact of family, peers and the media x
Lecture 3b – Why today’s youth starts having sex later x
Literature
Naezer & van Oosterhout, 2021
M. De Looze, 2025
De Graaf et al., 2025
Lecture 4a – Sexual abuse during adolescence
Lecture 4b – Sexual consent
Literature
Covers et al., 2022
Frederica et al., 2026
Brown et al., 2020
Muehlenhard et al., 2016
Lecture 5a – Sexual and Gender Diversity in adolescence x
Lecture 5b - Intersectionality in sexuality research x
Literature
Goldbach & Gibbs, 2016
Baams & Kaufman, 2023
Cup et al., 2024
Mereish et al., 2022
Lecture 6a – Sex education x
Lecture 6b – interactive interview with former head of WHO’s department on
adolescent sexual and reproductive health x
Literature
Vanwesenbeeck, 2020
Zaneva et al., 2022
, Lecture 1b – Psychosexual development
Sexual health = multidimensional = state of physical, emotional, mental
and social well-being in relation to sexuality
Positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual
relationships
Possibility to have pleasurable and safe sexual experiences
Sexual health
- Body image
- Knowledge
- Love and relationships
- Gender and sexual orientation
- Sexual behavior
- Beliefs and emotions
Sexual development -> life-long process
Experiences impacted by gender
Sexuality has many potential pathways
Research on youth and sexuality controversial > why?
- Developmental sensitivity (not relevant for children)
Importance of using age appropriate language
- Moral and political sensitivity -> misinformation (‘protecting
children’)
Sensitive topics to attract voters
Myth of innocent child -> idea that children are innocent /
asexual
Protection from exposure to sexual content to protect ‘purity’
Dangerous view in the context of sexuality:
-Children are aware of stereotypes (from age 2)
-Children discover their own and other’s bodies
Impedes education
Makes children vulnerable and protects abusers
Causes victim-blaming (loss of innocence)
Overlooks developmental reality
a) Psychosexual development
Infants (birth – 2y)
Exploring body parts
Experience with genital pleasure
Understanding boundaries
Language -> learning names for body parts
Learning expected behaviors for boys and girls / stereotypes
, Toddlers (3y – 4y)
Walking, talking, imagining phase
Becoming aware of gender, body differences and their origin
Copy adult behaviors -> playing mother & father
Gender identity
Childhood (5y – 11y)
Curious about pregnancy and birth
Focus on peer group style of dress and speech -> wanting to fit
in
Same-sex gender friendships
Becoming aware of sexual orientation
9y-11y: beginning of puberty
Early adolescence (12y – 14y)
Insecurity
Desire to be more independent
Participating in risk-taking
Romantic relationship
Kissing / occasionally touching
Friends become more important -> parents remain important >
privacy
Exploring sexually related content on social media
Middle adolescence (15y – 18y)
Physical changes continue
Peer pressure gradually decreases
Influence of social media
Less insecurity -> appearance remains important
Relationships become more personal and intimate
Important sexual orientation milestones
Sex progress in a step-by-step manner (typically / for
heterosexuals)
> Masturbation
> French kissing
> Manual sex
> Oral sex
> Penile-vaginal sex
Late adolescence / emerging adulthood (19y – 24y)
Self-control increases
Legally adults
Leaving home
Going out, drinking and drug use
Serial monogamy
Satisfied with appearance
Positive view of sex
Peak in sexual activity
Peak in problems and risks
Experience with sexting
, b) Conducting research on youth and sexuality
Ethical considerations
Age appropriateness
Youth-friendly language > understanding the questions
Old-fashioned language
Sex = more than penetration
Heteronormative language
Transparent consent procedures > parental consent and child’s
active consent
Active parental consent = under 16y -> signed document
Passive parental consent = assumed consent unless parents take
action
> Should be nationally representative data, but certain
sociodemographic groups are less likely to provide parental
consent
Explicit safeguarding plan
Anonymous survey -> providing a place to go
Ethics review by ethical board
Lecture 2 – Biological and Social perspectives on young people’s
sexuality
Different perspectives to understand sexuality -> and how they are
interconnected
And their misperceptions
Public discourse :
Cultural and societal norms -> how you should behave according to
which
gender you belong
