Affective-Sexual Health Promotion in Early Childhood: Critical Review in The Context of Childcare and Education in Costa Rica

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22544/rcps.v42i02.06

Keywords:

Sexuality, Affectivity, Early Childhood, Health Promotion, Caretaking, Preschool Education

Abstract

This critical review describes research on affective and sexual development in early childhood in preschool and childcare settings. Studies are analyzed from the point of view of the regulatory and operational frameworks on which education on this topic in Costa Rica is based. The review was carried out using 4 international databases, examining empirical studies and review studies. Costa Rica has put in place a broad national-level policy framework that supports a comprehensive understanding of affective-sexual  development from infancy. However, implementation of the policy in the national preschool program does not always meet the framework’s standards. We find that the risk of sexual abuse tends to be prioritized in early sexual-affective education. Sexual-affective development is often addressed from a moralistic standpoint, advising for instance that the genitals should be named only  in the last levels of preschool and not when the other parts of the body are first named. From a health-promotional perspective on  national childcare and early education, we here propose a broader view that takes fully into account the complexities around the  social determinants of sexual-affective development. We conclude that an update of the preschool program is required,  accompanied by continuous training for staff and families of infants.

Author Biographies

Milvia Rodríguez Sánchez, Unversidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica

Psychologist with a Doctorate in Education focusing on Pedagogical Mediation from the new paradigm, obtained from the Universidad La Salle in Costa Rica. She serves as a professor, project manager, and researcher at the School of Public Health at the Universidad de Costa Rica. Presently, she coordinatesa national research-action project for staff in childcare centers (CEN-CINAI) concerning approaches to affectivity and sexuality in early childhood. Additionally, she serves as a co-investigator in a study examining perceptions and approaches to mental health within the Cabécar indigenous communities in Alto Chirripó and collaborates as a coproject manager on a mental health network project in the  Pavas community, Costa Rica.

Laura Brenes Vásquez, Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica

Psychologist from the Universidad de Costa Rica, holding a Doctorate in Health Psychology and an Academic Master’s in Health Psychology Research, both earned at the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. She works as a professor and researcher at the School of Public Health at the Universidad de Costa Rica. Presently, she leads research on perceptions and approaches to mental health within the Cabécar indigenous communities in Alto Chirripó and serves as a co-investigator in a study focusing on work conditions and health among bus drivers in the Greater Metropolitan Area.

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Published

2023-12-29

How to Cite

Rodríguez Sánchez, M., & Brenes Vásquez, L. (2023). Affective-Sexual Health Promotion in Early Childhood: Critical Review in The Context of Childcare and Education in Costa Rica. Costa Rican Journal of Psychology, 42(2), 263–275. https://doi.org/10.22544/rcps.v42i02.06