SEXUAL SOCIALIZATION: A CONCEPTUAL REVIEW*

Abstract

This paper presents a critical review of the concept of sexual socialization. A reformulation of conceptions of sexual socialization identifies five components of the developmental process (development of sex-object preference; development of gender roles; development of a gender identity; acquisition of sexual skills, knowledge, and values; and development of sexual attitudes). Sexual socialization, also referred to as sexualization, is defined as a process involving several interrelated social-psychological components which collective ly, not independently, determine our sexual selfconcept, values, atti tudes, and behaviors. The article discusses theoretical and empirical literature relating to these components and focuses primarily on the social sources of sexual development. It is suggested that future work on sexual socialization must consider the importance of all five components, including the distinctions between and the interplay among them.

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