Infant and Child Sexuality: A Sociological Perspective - Ipce

Preadolescent peers often serve as informal sex educators for each
other, although an older youth can similarly assume this role. Sexualerotic
encounters with older youth can also take the form of exposure,
fondling, mutual masturbation, homosexual activity, fellatio, sodomy,
or coitus.
Preadolescent-parent sexual encounters are rarely directly or intimately
erotic in nature. They are better typified by verbal exchanges,
whether in the form of sex information or reprimands regarding sexual
behavior. The realization that a sexual-erotic attachment exists between
parents is often reached during preadolescence also.
Incestuous relationships, although prohibited by law, can and do
occur during preadolescence. Daughter-father, stepdaughter-stepfather,
and brother-sister encounters are most frequent.
Preadolescents also interact with other adults. In some societies
overt sexual behavior is actively encouraged between preadolescents and
adults. In the United States such encounters are generally condemned by
society, although exhibitionism and masturbation by adult males in the
presence of female preadolescents do occur. Physical manipulation of
the preadolescent’s genitalia by an adult also occurs.
Public opinion and sex laws limit sexual-erotic encounters of preadolescent
and adult. Likewise, such institutions as the school and
church attempt to control such encounters. These institutions also provide
the preadolescent with sex information--sometimes with positive
and sometimes with negative results.
The reaction of preadolescents to their sexual-erotic encounters
range from very positive to very negative. Data from case histories of
preadolescents supports the arguments for improved instruction in human
sexuality during childhood.
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