Infant and Child Sexuality: A Sociological Perspective - Ipce
Infant and Child Sexuality: A Sociological Perspective - Ipce
Infant and Child Sexuality: A Sociological Perspective - Ipce
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adult roles. This is especially true of the male, for we expect aggressive<br />
behavior from adult males. Hence, adult activity dem<strong>and</strong>s traits<br />
that are interdicted in children. All too often, the child’s natural<br />
curiosity in the area of sex is discouraged, inhibited, <strong>and</strong> denied by<br />
well-meaning but ill-advised parents. The infant is not permitted to<br />
explore sex matters as he is permitted to explore other areas in which<br />
he has potential <strong>and</strong> curiosity. The child’s interest in the naked body<br />
is labeled indecent, questions are put off, false or silly answers are<br />
given to serious inquiries. All this serves to drive normal <strong>and</strong> natural<br />
sexual curiosity into secrecy, duplicity, <strong>and</strong> despair.<br />
Nevertheless, some children discover, one way <strong>and</strong> another, that<br />
they can produce pleasant <strong>and</strong> soothing sensations by stroking or touching<br />
their bodies. The taboo on self-discovery <strong>and</strong> self-stimulation may<br />
be the chief channel through which sexual repression is passed from<br />
parent to child. There is no evidence that self-stimulation does physical<br />
damage to the child. Masturbation is an important phase of sex maturing--a<br />
part of the growing up process <strong>and</strong> not a dangerous habit.<br />
Every child should have some privacy from adult interference for<br />
self-discovery. Sexual nature develops continuously from infancy,<br />
through childhood, preadolescence, <strong>and</strong> adolescence, provided it is<br />
given a chance. The repression of sexuality in girls during childhood<br />
<strong>and</strong> adolescence could well be the major factor in adult frigidity. It<br />
is important to establish a milieu in which young children in their own<br />
private world can develop self-confidence, self-esteem, <strong>and</strong> self-acceptance<br />
as sexual beings.<br />
Besides being permissive towards self-discovery <strong>and</strong> development,<br />
parents <strong>and</strong> others could do much better than they are doing in helping<br />
the child to conceptualize his body, its parts, <strong>and</strong> its functions.<br />
There is no reason to encourage children to form infantile, over-simplified,<br />
<strong>and</strong> incorrect sexual concepts through offering them false, deceptive,<br />
inadequate, <strong>and</strong> foolish information about sexuality. <strong>Child</strong>ren<br />
have the capacity to deal with accurate sexual concepts. The parent who<br />
is doing his best to give his child an opportunity to underst<strong>and</strong> himself,<br />
to express himself, <strong>and</strong> to share in the normal experiences of intimate<br />
human life, is making a significant contribution to the<br />
humanness, the health, <strong>and</strong> the happiness of his child.<br />
Hopefully, self-discovery, the touching <strong>and</strong> caressing by parents,<br />
siblings, <strong>and</strong> peers, <strong>and</strong> the release from feelings of sexual guilt <strong>and</strong><br />
shame over the expression of innocent <strong>and</strong> honest affection will lead to<br />
richer interpersonal relationships.<br />
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