Most appropriate stage of development in which boys and girls start showing interest in the opposite sex is?

Appeared in: IGNOU Post B. SC. Nursing entrance-2019

Explanation

The Genital stage begins at puberty and extends into adulthood.
It is characterized by the reawakening of sexual drives and the direction of these interests toward peers and potential partners outside the family.
The primary objective of this stage is to establish mature, non-incestuous heterosexual object relations and separate from parental dependence.
Successful navigation of this stage leads to the capacity for a mature adult sexual relationship and a stable sense of identity.

Option A: The Latency stage is a period of sexual dormancy where libidinal energies are sublimated into schoolwork, hobbies, and same-sex friendships.
Option C: In the Phallic stage, the child's psychosexual interest is focused on the parent of the opposite sex (Oedipus/Electra complex), not on peers.
Option D: The Anal stage is primarily concerned with the process of toilet training and developing control over bodily functions.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Freud's Psychosexual Stages of Development as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding that adolescents are in the Genital stage helps nurses provide age-appropriate education on puberty, sexual health, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Nurses should ensure privacy and confidentiality when discussing sensitive topics with adolescents, as they are developing their own identity and seeking independence.
This knowledge allows nurses to support adolescents in forming healthy relationships and making responsible decisions, recognizing that this is a normal part of their development.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is about the stage of development related to sexual interest in peers.
Recall Freud's five psychosexual stages of development: Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency, and Genital.
Analyze the key feature of each stage. The question specifically asks about interest in the 'opposite sex' among 'boys and girls' (peers).
Evaluate the options: The Latency stage is about dormant sexuality. The Phallic stage is about interest in the parent. The Anal stage is about toilet training.
Conclude that the Genital stage, which begins at puberty, is defined by the maturation of sexual interest directed towards peers. This directly matches the question's premise.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 1 p. 163-165

E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) p. 3335-3337

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