Table of contents:

1. Risks
2. Risky behaviour
3. Where does knowledge come from?
4. What does harmful sexual behaviour mean?
5. Actions and deeds
6. How to react?

Sexual development is a sphere of human life that develops according to its own rhythm regardless of the constraints, social objections or norms that apply to the individual, which is particularly true at the age of puberty. Sexuality is a phenomenon that has its origins in biology, and one that is difficult to place within cultural and social norms. It is an aspect of our life that is inextricably linked to the most basic human needs, and it is therefore necessary, during the sexual development of a young person, to pay attention to psychosocial factors that, by interacting with biological needs, create the form in which sexuality will manifest itself. The question can then be posed as to which aspects of sexual life should be subjected to norms and to what extent, and which should be left to their own course in development [1].

Risks

The twentieth century brought with it many changes in human sexuality, much of which have given rise to significant health and social problems. The risky behaviour undertaken by young people in the course of their sexual development has consequently led to adverse health effects and even fatal consequences. We are largely talking about sexually transmitted infectious diseases, the spread of which can be attributed to harmful and risky behaviour undertaken by adolescents [2].

Inadequate and inconsistent contraception is another of the risks that arise in a situation of young age of sexual initiation. This increases both the risk of contracting STDs, but also of pregnancy and of entering the parental role too early. Another type of risk is the desire to reach for something new and different - this promotes frequent changes of partners, cohabitation with multiple partners and even entry into sexual violence, sponsorship or prostitution [2].

Risky behaviour

The very term 'risky behaviour' refers to activities that are potentially dangerous to a person's health and life. In addition to substance use, eating disorders or criminal tendencies, this group includes risky, harmful and premature sexual behaviour. It is not without reason that all these behaviours are combined in one group - observations show that the individual risk behaviours are highly likely to combine and thus increase health risks. The behaviours in question are understood to be those actions that are undertaken of their own accord and whose consequences remain uncertain, although negative consequences can be predicted for them. Asynchronicity in sexual maturation in relation to the peer group, and asynchronous sexual mat uration in relation to social and moral maturation are also risk factors here [2].

Poland also records an increasingly earlier age of sexual initiation, and adolescents in adolescence become active in this sphere, starting from less mature forms towards increasingly sophisticated ones. Behaviours such as masturbation, petting, necking, as well as intercourse itself are not treated as a boundary for entering adult life [2].

The conclusion is that there are deficiencies in the sexual education of young people which, combined with a liberal approach and a pattern of social consent, can generate a sense of irresponsibility in this particular sphere of life. Currently, Polish schools still approach the topic of sexual education in an incomplete manner, and the problem itself is highly controversial, hence the lack of implementation of educational programmes and lack of awareness of youth regarding the dangers of sexual behaviour [2].

Where does the knowledge come from?

The child learns certain behaviours based on social response - norms and precepts that are understood by the child as early as the age of two. When interpersonal contacts become more intensive, i.e. during the preschool period, the child acquires a greater awareness of certain standards and restrictions regarding sexuality. Norms are part of upbringing, introduced into the child's life from the adult world and it is by them that they are created and then transmitted and enforced. Through observation of their own bodies and the adult world, children learn both their bodies and their own sexuality. This is done by touching themselves or showing their genitals. Sometimes there are situations of peeping at parents or caregivers, rubbing one's own body, dressing up in the clothes of the opposite sex. At this stage, the reactions that the child encounters are extremely important, and these in turn depend on the taboos that prevail in the child's upbringing environment. Reactions can vary greatly, ranging from appropriate information and explanations acceptable to the child to rigour and outright prohibitions [3].

What does harmful sexual behaviour mean?

Sexual behaviour that is in no way coercive or violent, but has a negative impact on the sexual development of both the child and the adolescent, is understood as harmful sexual behaviour, which includes, above all, actions that are age-appropriate - thus correctable - but also those arising from natural curiosity or those that do not fall within the concept of "developmental norm". In other words, one can speak of problematic or compulsive behaviour and situations. Children, in a way that is specific to themselves and their developmental stage, show their needs and desires, also in the sexual sphere, hence it is extremely important to understand the underpinnings and sources of the actions or behaviours undertaken. Communication becomes a fundamental problem - as the child usually does not have the skills, experience and understanding to express his or her desires in a clear and lucid manner. The role of the parent-adult is to interpret them correctly and to set an example by their own attitude. Analysing worrying situations, those that are perceived as harmful by the parent, will help to understand the child's behaviour and to take appropriate countermeasures [3].

Harmful sexual behaviour of children and adolescents, photo: panthermedia

The initiation of this type of behaviour by children and adolescents is usually due to a lack of appropriate knowledge, curiosity, a desire to satisfy the need for close contact with someone, a lack of social understanding and disrupted peer interaction, but also a lack of appropriate parenting rules and problems with enforcing rules [3].

Deeds and actions

Masturbation is one of the actions undertaken by children and adolescents resulting from exploring their own body, the desire to stimulate erogenous zones in order to give themselves pleasure, which can be a problematic situation. This behaviour is typical and present during the sexual development of a young person, and it can provide the parent with knowledge and information about whether the behaviour is outside the developmental norm or not occurring at all - both of which are grounds for intervention [1].

Orientation behaviour is primarily driven by curiosity and the desire to know the differences between "my" body and that of the opposite sex. Observing, undressing and touching a child of the opposite sex is therefore largely dictated by the desire to learn about both one's own physique and that of the opponent. Restricting this type of behaviour too much and enforcing prohibitions may result in the child peeping at others - especially adults - as well as exposing himself and demonstrating his own genitals [1].

Interactions are also behaviours during which inappropriate actions and attitudes can occur. It has been observed that even pre-school children have some games with sexual overtones, mainly involving the repetition of observed scenes or behaviours of grown-ups. It is during such games that certain deviations from the norms may occur, thus spatologising sexual development [1].

How to react?

First of all, education - adapted to the age and needs of the child. It is necessary to provide adequate information and raise awareness of the dangers of deviating from safe norms. It is very important that sexual norms are clearly defined and consistent, but also enforced and consistently maintained. It is necessary to review the home situation in which the child is being brought up and therefore: the patterns of sexual behaviour that are being transmitted to the child. The words themselves can also become problematic, so it is worth avoiding any kind of slang in conversations about sex or sexuality. The elimination of behaviour with sexual overtones is also important, as one's own in such moments can outline an appropriate way of reacting and engaging in safe behaviour. One of the most important countermeasures is to eliminate all content of a sexual nature, such as pornography, which is extremely easy to access today [3].