Question 1

The National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior found that today's adolescents are increasingly engaging in more risky sexual behaviors.

Accepted Answer

The National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior found that today's adolescents are actually engaging in less risky sexual behaviors compared to previous generations.

Question 2

The majority of parents and teachers prefer to have abstinence-only sexuality education be taught in schools.

Accepted Answer

According to various surveys and studies, the majority of parents and teachers support comprehensive sexuality education, which includes information on both abstinence and contraception.

Question 3

Teen pregnancy rates across Europe are about the same as in the U.S.

Accepted Answer

Teen pregnancy rates in Europe are lower than in the U.S. According to data from the United Nations, the birth rate among women 15-19 years old in the U.S. is over 25 per 1,000 women, while in most European countries it is below 10 per 1,000 women.

Question 4

Girls' growth spurts typically happen earlier than boys'.

Accepted Answer

Girls generally start their growth spurts between the ages of 8 and 13, while boys usually start between the ages of 10 and 15.

Question 5

When a 4-year-old child has an erection, we can most likely assume:

Accepted Answer

Erections in young boys, including 4-year-olds, are normal physiological responses and are not necessarily related to sexual arousal. It is important to reassure the child that this is a normal occurrence and not something to be ashamed of. The occurrence of an erection at this age does not necessarily predict future erectile dysfunction.

Question 6

According to the most recent sexuality studies, oral sex among teens has increased.

Accepted Answer

According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there has been an increase in oral sex among teens in recent years.

Question 7

Casual parental attitudes towards nudity and seeing parents naked are correlated with lower levels of self-esteem in children.

Accepted Answer

Research has not found a consistent correlation between casual parental attitudes towards nudity or children seeing their parents naked and lower levels of self-esteem in children. In fact, attitudes towards nudity vary greatly among different cultures and families, and their impact on children's self-esteem is influenced by many factors, including the context and manner in which nudity is approached within the family.

Question 8

During adolescence, the risks for depression and suicide are about equal for heterosexual and homosexual youth.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth are at higher risk for depression and suicide compared to their heterosexual peers, due to factors like stigma, discrimination, and lack of support.

Question 9

Comprehensive sexuality education programs typically begin in kindergarten and continue through 12th grade.

Accepted Answer

Comprehensive sexuality education programs aim to provide age-appropriate information and skills to students from a young age throughout their school years, starting from kindergarten and continuing through 12th grade. This approach ensures that students receive accurate and relevant information that is reinforced over time, ultimately leading to improved sexual health outcomes.

Question 10

Experts encourage parents to be tolerant of their children's questions and behaviors related to sexuality (e.g., genital touching).

Accepted Answer

Experts recommend parents to approach their children's curiosity and questions about sexuality with tolerance and understanding, rather than reacting negatively or punishing them for their behaviors, such as genital touching. This helps children develop a positive and healthy attitude towards their bodies and sexuality.

Question 11

Emma, almost 3 years old, knows that she is a girl, but sometimes says things indicating that she thinks she may be a boy in the future. Emma has not yet achieved:

Accepted Answer

Gender constancy refers to the understanding that gender is a stable and consistent characteristic that is not influenced by external factors. Children typically develop gender constancy between the ages of 3 and 6, so the fact that Emma is considering the possibility of being a boy in the future suggests that she has not yet fully achieved gender constancy.

Question 12

Parents should be more concerned if their children show no interest in their own or other children's bodies than being concerned if they are engaging in sex play.

Accepted Answer

Children's natural curiosity about their bodies and those of others is a part of healthy development. If children show no interest in their own or others' bodies, it can indicate a potential developmental issue, whereas sex play is a natural part of exploration and should be approached with education and appropriate guidance from parents or caregivers.

Question 13

Cross-cultural studies show that the majority of teens worldwide are receiving adequate sexuality education.

Accepted Answer

Cross-cultural studies have shown that the majority of teens worldwide are not receiving adequate sexuality education, and that there is a need for improvement in this area.

Question 14

Which description is LEAST likely to have been a recent study done in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Research on sexual orientation and self-perception among adolescents is less common in the U.S. due to cultural and political sensitivities, compared to studies on teen pregnancy, STIs, and abstinence education.

Question 15

What hormone is released in response to a baby's crying, which in turn facilitates the release of breast milk?

Accepted Answer

The hormone released in response to a baby's crying that facilitates the release of breast milk is oxytocin. Estrogen plays a role in the development of female reproductive organs and secondary sexual characteristics. Pheromones are chemical signals that trigger social and behavioral responses in members of the same species. hCG is a hormone produced during pregnancy.

Question 16

What best describes genital self-stimulation and infants?

Accepted Answer

Genital self-stimulation is a normal part of infant development and exploration, and it is not associated with future sexual problems.

Question 17

Ultrasound technology has revealed that sexual anatomy (e.g., erections in males) becomes functional before birth.

Accepted Answer

Ultrasound technology has shown that male fetuses can experience erections as early as 16 weeks gestational age.

Question 18

In the United States, there is a standard sexuality education curriculum for all states to implement.

Accepted Answer

There is no federal mandate for a standard sexuality education curriculum in the United States. Each state or school district has its own unique curriculum and approach to teaching sexuality education. Some states have comprehensive sexuality education programs, while others have abstinence-only programs.

Question 19

Ethnic differences do not account for much variance in sexual attitudes, sexual behaviors, or frequency of behaviors among teens.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Ethnic differences do not account for much...

Question 20

On average, boys begin ejaculation before most girls experience their first period.

Accepted Answer

On average, girls begin puberty between ages 8 and 13 and may experience their first period, a sign of puberty, around this time frame. Boys typically start puberty a bit later, between ages 9 and 14, and ejaculation is one of the later developments, often occurring around ages 12 to 14.

Quiz 8: Childhood and Adolescent Sexuality