Final answer:
Sexual orientation typically becomes a pressing issue during adolescence. Individuals become aware of their sexual orientation between middle childhood and early adolescence. This life stage involves increased awareness and acceptance of a range of orientations such as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or asexual.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sexual orientation typically becomes a pressing issue during the life stage of adolescence. According to the American Psychological Association, individuals usually become aware of their sexual orientation between middle childhood and early adolescence. During this period, young people become increasingly aware of their emotional, romantic, and physical attractions, which may include being heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or asexual. The process of discovering and accepting one's sexual orientation can vary greatly from person to person and does not require participation in sexual activities.
It is also worth noting that gender roles and societal norms can influence how individuals perceive and express their sexual orientation. In a heteronormative society like the United States, expectations about sexual orientation can make the acknowledgment and acceptance process more difficult for those who identify as non-heterosexual.