The magical age of 10

Author(s): McClintock, M.

Journal/Book: Arch Sex Behav. 2000; 29: 233 Spring St, New York, NY 10013, USA. Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publ. 587-606.

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 reward 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.

Note: Article Herdt G, San Francisco State Univ, Program Human Sexual Studies, 1600 Holloway Ave, San Francisco,CA 94132 USA

Keyword(s): puberty; sexual attraction; adrenarche; gonadarche; culture; SEXUAL ORIENTATION; CHILDHOOD; BEHAVIOR; GENDER; IDENTITY; MENARCHE; PUBERTY; GAY

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