Normal Range

• Sexually explicit conversations with peers
• Obscenities and jokes within cultural norm
• Sexual innuendo, Flirting and courtship
• Interest in erotica
• Solitary masturbation
• Hugging, kissing, holding hands
• Foreplay, (petting, making out, fondling) [fn1]
• Mutual masturbation [fn1]
• Monogamist intercourse [fn1] (stable or serial [fn2])

Yellow Flags

• Sexual preoccupation/anxiety (interfering in daily functioning)
• Pornographic interest
• Polygamist sexual intercourse (promiscuity [fn3])
• Sexually aggressive themes/obscenities
• Sexual graffiti (especially chronic and impacting individuals)
• Embarrassment of others with sexual themes
• Violation of others' body space
• Pulling skirts up/pants down
• Single occurrence of peeping, exposing, frottage with known agemates
• Mooning and obscene gestures [fn4]

Red Flags

• Compulsive masturbation (especially chronic or public)
• Degradation/humiliation of self or others with sexual themes
• Attempting to expose others' genitals
• Chronic preoccupation with sexually aggressive pornography
• Sexually explicit conversation with significantly young children
• Touching genitals without permission (i.e. grabbing, goosing)
• Sexually explicit threats (verbal or written)

Stop: Illegal behaviors defined by law

• Obscene phone calls, voyeurism, exhibitionism, frottage, sexual harassment
• Sexual contact with significant age difference (child sexual abuse)
• Forced sexual contact (sexual assault)
• Forced penetration (rape)
• Sexual contact with animals (bestiality)
• Genital injury to others

Footnotes

[fn1] - Moral, social or familial rules may restrict, but these behaviors are not abnormal, developmentally harmful, or illegal when private, concentual, equal, and non-coercive.

[fn2] - Stable monogamy is defined as a single sexual partner throughout adolescence. Serial monogamy indicates long-term (several months or years) involvement with a single partner which ends and is then followed by another

[fn3] - Polygamist intercourse is defined as indiscriminate sexual contact with more than one partner during the same period of time.

[fn4] - Mooning and obscene gestures have been called 'Americana.' Although many of the yellow flags are not necessarily outside the range of behavior exhibited in teen peer groups, some evaluation and response is desirable in order to support healthy and responsible attitudes and behavior.

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Related document: Sexual Behavior of Children - Under Age 12

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