Sexual Development and Behavior in Black Preadolescents.

As part of a longitudinal study of the sociosexual development of black preadolescents sexual maturation and sociosexual behaviors were assessed and the relationships between these variables determined in a sample of 101 9 to 11-year-old middle and low-income boys and girls. Sexual maturation was measured by Tanners staging criteria of specific secondary sex characteristics. Involvement in heterosexual behaviors was elicited via self reports and was classified on a 5-point heterosexual physical activity scale (HPA). The activities range from game playing to intercourse. Game playing = 1 point; holding hands hugging or kissing = 2 points; light petting = 3 points; heavy petting = 4 points; and intercourse = 5 points. The data corroborate other studies in demonstrating that girls were more advanced than boys in the process of sexual maturation. Considerable variation in stages of maturation for chronological age existed in both boys and girls between HPA and degree of biologic maturation. However genital development in boys was significantly related to their sexual behavior. Income level was not significantly associated with the HPA score.A baseline from which to chart the progress of sociosexual behaviors in these developing preadolescents was established.