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Abstract

Developmental processes of "puberty" and their cultural contexts in understanding the emergence of sexual subjectivity, especially sexual attraction, prior to gonadarche are critically examined. In particular, we consider the hypothesis that "sexual attraction" follows the onset of adrenal puberty, termed adrenarche, precipitating the development of stable and memorable attraction toward others approximately by the age of 10. In a prior study, the authors suggested that adrenarche is a significant source of this developmental change in sexuality (McClintock, M., and Herdt, G., 1996). The inferential evidence from New Guinea is compared with recent studies from the United States, including clinical findings on "precocious puberty." We conclude with the question of whether the age of 10 is a human universal in the development of attraction and sexuality.

Normative and Clinical Self-Perceptions of Sexuality and Their Links to Psychopathology among Adolescents

“…Adolescence, is the onset of considerable changes in the process of sexual and reproductive maturity. Many youngsters report experiencing sexual interest, arousal, and desire before puberty, often around the age of 10 years, when adrenal glands mature [6, 7]. Pubertal development and its physical manifestations, such as facial hair in boys and breasts in girls, publicly signal sexual readiness and mark the onset of a more active sexual activity.…”

The Role of Sexual Orientation in School-Based Victimization

“…Conceptually, more youth are aware of and disclose their sexual minority status in mid- to late-adolescence: the average age for awareness of attraction to the same or opposite sex is approximately 10 years (Herdt & McClintock, 2000), the average age for self-identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or queer is 16 years (e.g., Floyd & Stein, 2002), and the average age for coming out to others is 18 years (e.g., Floyd & Stein, 2002). Thus, the majority of youth might not disclose their sexual orientation until high school and therefore may experience victimization at later ages.…”

Stability of Self-Reported Same-Sex and Both-Sex Attraction from Adolescence to Young Adulthood

“…Initial same-sex attractions are usually experienced in late childhood or early adolescence (Herdt & McClintock, 2000). Compared to opposite-sex attractions, same-sex attractions have been found to be relatively unstable in early adulthood (21-26 years old), especially among women (Dickson, Paul, & Herbison, 2003).…”