Infant and Child Sexuality: A Sociological Perspective - Ipce

and differentiating adults by such words as “lady” or “man” are among
these achievements. (Gesell and Ilg, 1946, p. 322).
At two and one-half years of age the infant has added still more to
his understanding of the socio-sexual scene. His differentiation of
male and female roles has increased markedly. He is aware of his gender
and the fact that he is like his parent of the same gender and different
from his opposite-gender parent, as well as his opposite-gender
peers. He can now differentiate the gender of children by the terms boy
and girl. The two and one-half year old may well have incorporated a
non-verbal generalization that boys and fathers have distinct genitalia
and stand when they urinate while girls and mothers do not. This
age marks the beginning of interest in the physiological differences
between sexes. The infant is very conscious of his own sex organs and
may handle them when undressed. Inquiries concerning mothers’ breasts
are common. All in all, the infant has reached a point where, because
gender distinctions are possible, socialization into a male or female
role can and does occur. (Gesell and Ilg, 1946, p. 322; Ilg and Ames,
1955, p. 203).
Toward the end of infancy, or early in childhood, erotic feelings
become centered in the genitalia and definite periods of sex play can
be observed. (Ribble, 1955, p. 26). Sex interest increases with age and
is variable in that some infants and children are much more interested
than other infants in the whole subject of sex. There are the highly
motivated who show an early and intense interest in trying things out
for themselves but ask few questions as well as those who are less interested
in activity and more interested in asking questions about sex.
There are others who are disinterested in the topic of sex.
The infant shows a distinct sexual nature and develops a great deal
in the first two years. Whatever the means, whatever the extent of curiosity,
and whatever the restrictive or permissive forces, the infant
of 0-2 years acquires sexual experience, knowledge, attitudes, and
feelings that may influence his whole life.
The Sexual Capacity of Infants
Before specifically discussing the affectional and sexual behavior
of infants, we will more systematically and conclusively establish that
infants have the somato-sensory capacity for erotic behavior.
Boy babies are sometimes born with erections, and there is no reason
to believe that the capacity for such marked physiological response
develops any later in girls. In a study of nine male babies of
ages three to twenty weeks, tumescence (penile erection) was observed
at least once daily in seven of the nine. (Halverson, 1940). Individual
responses varied greatly from five to forty erections per day. Tumescence
was accompanied in a large percentage of instances by
restlessness, fretting, crying, stretching, and flexing the limbs
stiffly. The behavior following the detumescence was in the nature of
playful activity or relaxation. Parents often report having observed
erections in infant boys. (Conn, 1940a).
Pelvic thrust movements in male and female infants eight to ten
months old appear to occur as part of an expression of affection in
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