Chapter 3: Anatomy, Physiology, and Puberty

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About this Chapter
In most societies, people refer to sexual parts of the body with euphemisms, and the physical changes of puberty may be happening to an adolescent before he or she knows what they are or that they are normal. Ideally, schools would teach the reproductive system in as much detail and as early as they teach the digestive and respiratory systems; that’s usually not the norm, however. In fact, many adolescents may be uninformed, misinformed, or downright frightened by unexpected changes in their bodies. There are countless stories of girls who think they are dying when they get their first menstrual period because nobody has prepared them. Girls especially may have absorbed messages that their genitals are dirty and shouldn’t be looked at
or touched—feelings that are detrimental to sexual health and the development of a satisfying and safe sexual life.

People have a right to know their bodies fully. This is important for young children so that they can recognize sexual abuse; for adolescents so that they understand the changes they are going through; and for couples who want to experience a fulfilling sexual life together or become pregnant and bring a healthy child into the world. It is also essential for staying healthy—people need to know their bodies in order to recognize when something is wrong. Accepting our sexual and reproductive systems as natural and positive parts of our bodies is an important part of accepting and integrating sexuality into our identity.