![]() ![]() When parents of school-age children discover their child's masturbatory play or activity, some react with embarrassment, anger, and even moral outrage others take it in stride and recognize it as developmentally normal behavior. ![]() Nevertheless, many cultures still actively discourage masturbation, partly because of the general moral constraints often placed on sexual behavior. Nor will he go blind or insane, grow pimples or warts, or become sterile. A child who masturbates is not oversexed, promiscuous, or sexually deviant. Most young teenagers discover that masturbation is sexually pleasing and recognize that self-stimulation is an expression of their own developing sexuality.Īlthough the myths surrounding masturbation have been scientifically dispelled, they still persist. Masturbation is a regular part of normal adolescence. When pubertal development begins-accompanied by an increase of sexual hormones, thoughts, and curiosity-body awareness and sexual tensions rise. Masturbation in private will continue to some extent and remains normal. Youngsters also are curious about the differences between girls and boys, and thus in the preschool and kindergarten years they may occasionally explore each other's body, including their genitals.įrom age six on, the incidence of masturbation in public tends to subside, largely because children's social awareness increases and social mores assume greater importance. Young children are very curious about their bodies and find masturbation pleasurable and comforting. Just how common is masturbation during the various stages of childhood? Up to the age of five or six years, masturbation is quite common. It is done by both boys and girls and is normal behavior. The misunderstandings and secrecy about masturbation add to parent and child discomfort.īy definition, masturbation is self-stimulation of the genitals. Part of the difficulty may be the need to acknowledge that children are sexual beings. Masturbation is an aspect of childhood sexuality that parents find hard to respond to comfortably and appropriately.
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