|
| |
SECONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERISTICS
Sociologyindex, Sociology Books 2009
Secondary sexual characteristics are characteristics that are sex related but are not
directly connected with the physiology of reproduction (the sex organs).
The body image depends a good deal on the secondary sexual characteristics.
For example, statistically, men tend to be heavier with more muscle mass and physical
strength than women although there are some women heavier, more muscular and stronger than
some men.
Darwin did not limit his discussion of sex differences in variability to obviously
secondary sexual traits. Of humans he suggested that "the numerous measurements of
various other races with respect to stature, the circumference of the neck and chest, and
the length of the back-bone and arms, which were carefully made, nearly all showed that
the males differed much more from each other than did the females." He also discussed
studies in which various abnormalities, such as supernumerary digits, occurred more
frequently in men, noting that the data might be biased if women were more likely to
conceal such effects.
Darwin wrote of "the frequent and extraordinary amount of variability presented by
secondary sexual characters" of males and he concluded from his studies of
domesticated animals that "the male is more liable to vary than the female." He
reasoned that "all these contingencies are highly favorable for sexual
selection."
"Human female breasts are secondary sexual characteristics that evolved to attract
mates. - Desmond Morris (The Naked Ape, 1967).
An imbalance of maternal hormonal levels and some chemicals may alter the secondary
sexual characteristics of fetuses.
Ellis, H. 1894. Man and woman: A study of human secondary sexual characteristics.
Walter Scott, London.
The Psychological Significance of Secondary Sexual Characteristics in
Nine- to Eleven-Year-Old Girls.
Authors: Brooks-Gunn, J.; Warren, Michelle P.
Descriptors: Elementary Education; Females; Grade 5; Grade 6; Peer Relationship; Physical
Development; Preadolescents; Puberty; Social Development
Source: Child Development, v59 n4 p1061-69 Aug 1988
Abstract: Studied the onset of puberty in girls aged nine to eleven as represented by
breast, pubic hair growth, and height. Breast growth, but not pubic hair growth was
associated with a positive body image, positive peer relationships, and superior
adjustment. Height was linked to superior adjustment and rating of career as important. -
eric.ed.gov
Beyond Gender-Specific Intervention: Theory-driven Praxis
by Laurie Schaffner
Extract: In sociology, "sex" and "gender" are distinguished in
theoretical discussion. "Sex" is used to describe the biological, physiological
differences between boys/men and girls/women, although even these binary categories are
now under serious challenge. Some of the biological or physiological characterizations
utilized to differentiate among "sexes" are presence of mammary glands and
breasts, uterus, ovaries, vaginas, testicles, penises and the like, as well as what are
sometimes called secondary sexual characteristics, such as amount of facial hair, pitch of
voice, size of "Adam's apple," and such. "Gender" is the term many
social scientists deploy to describe the practices, behaviors, attitudes, representations,
and portrayals of masculinity and femininity. While debates continue regarding the
interchanging of the terms sex and gender, all agree that what is at stake is the meanings
and social significance of having differing physiological characteristics. -
womenandprison.org/ prison-industrial-complex/laurie-schaffner.html
Sexual maturation in Turkish girls
Authors: Neyzi, Olcay; Alp, Hülya; Orhon, Alper
Source: Annals of Human Biology, Volume 2, Number 1, Number 1/January 1975, pp. 49-59(11)
Abstract: The time intervals from onset to completion of secondary sexual characteristics
were comparable to those reported for European girls for pubic and axillary hair
development, but relatively longer for the development of the breast. They differed little
between the socioeconomic classes.
Ages of attainment of successive puberty stages of the breast, public hair and axillary
hair and of menarche were established in a cross-sectional study of 1468 Turkish school
girls in Istanbul. The subjects were grouped into four socioeconomic classes. Onset of
secondary sexual characteristics and of menarche in the highest socioeconomic class were
early as compared to other population groups. Mean ages of attainment for the initial
stage of breast, pubic hair and axillary hair development were 9·8, 10·4 and 10·8 years
respectively in this group. Mean menarcheal age was 12·36 ± 0·01 years. All stages of
breast, pubic hair and axillary hair and also menarche consistently occurred later in the
lower socioeconomic classes as compared with the higher. - ingentaconnect.com
Sexual precocity in girls. An association with sexual abuse? Herman-Giddens ME,
Sandler AD, Friedman NE.
Child Protection Team, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.
Am J Dis Child. 1988 Apr;142(4):431-3.
The development of secondary sexual characteristics before 8 years of age in girls is
uncommon and little is known of its epidemiology. In a retrospective study of a population
of 105 girls 10 years old and younger who were victims of confirmed or suspected sexual
abuse, we found a one in 15 prevalence of early development (before 8 years of age) of one
or more secondary sexual characteristics. We speculate on possible associations between
early development of secondary sexual characteristics and sexual abuse. The data suggest
that further research explore this possible association. - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
A study of developmental order of secondary sexual characteristics in Beijing girls.
(Article in Chinese)
Li JJ., Haidian Health and Epidemic Prevention Station, Beijing.
Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi. 1991 Jan;25(1):23-5.
A six-year (1980-1986) study of the developmental status of the secondary sexual
characteristics was made among 937 girls in Beijing. The mean age of the first appearance
of the secondary sexual characteristics was breast 11.84 +/- 0.95 years, pubic hair 13.29
+/- 1.11 years, axillary hair 13.71 +/- 1.21 years; the average age of developmental
maturation was breast 13.95 +/- 1.16 years, pubic hair 14.85 +/- 1.29 years, axillary hair
15.14 +/- 1.24 years. Their developmental order, as measured by the mean values of the
groups, was breast, the first menarche (12.88 years), pubic hair, axillary hair. But when
the individuals were examined only 22.85% was found to be in accord with the above order.
The individual variation was very great. The course of development took about 3.5 years,
but some needed one year to develop others six years. Some girls developed and finished at
the same time, some finished earlier or later. Only a few girls have had no development of
pubic hair and axillary hair until 18 years old. - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Secondary Sexual Characteristics in Boys
Estimates From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III,
1988-1994
Marcia E. Herman-Giddens, PA, MPH, DrPH; Lily Wang, MS; Gary Koch, PhD
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2001;155:1022-1028.
Background Descriptive data on pubertal stages for a representative population of racially
and ethnically diverse boys in the United States have not been published to our
knowledge.
Objective To determine at what ages boys in the United States reach each of the 5 sexual
maturity stages for genital and pubic hair growth.
Design and Setting Cross-sectional survey from the National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey III (NHANES III), 1988-1994.
| |
|