Infant and Child Sexuality: A Sociological Perspective - Ipce

Ilg, 1946, p. 320, 323, 367).
At six years a marked awareness of and interest in the differences
between sexes in body structure arises that was not evident at five.
Questioning and mutual investigation by both sexes reveal practical answers
to questions about sex differences. Interest in the origin of babies,
pregnancy, and birth continues. Interest in knowing how the baby
started is present and if the child is told of intercourse by older
playmates he may question his mother about it. The six year old commonly
accepts the idea that the baby grows in the mother’s stomach and
starts from a seed. He has some sort of vague notion that in sequence
babies follow marriage. How the baby comes out of the mother’s stomach
and whether it hurts are favorite topics for questions. The six year
old wants a new baby in the family and desires to hold the baby after
it is born. Mild sex play or exhibitionism in play or in school toilets
occurs. Simultaneously, one finds frequent name calling and giggling
involved with words dealing with the elimination function. Games
of “show” and hospital (in which rectal temperatures are taken) are
common. Some children are subjected to sex play by older children and
some six year old girls are bothered by older men. Strong interest of
older boys for younger girls begins to appear among the children themselves.
Some confusion in the differentiation of the male and female
exists. The child may dress up in the attire of the opposite sex, but
when thinking of marriage, he thinks in terms of a person of the opposite
sex, often a relative. Domestic play continues with games of
house, school, and library. Girls enjoy elaborated doll play with
dolls’ accessories as well as dressing up in adult clothes. (Gesell and
Ilg, 1946, p. 320, 323, 324, 368; Ilg and Ames, 1955, p. 204).
At seven years some mutual exploration, experimentation, and sex
play continue, but less than earlier. The child seems to have long
since satisfied interest in differences in physique between the sexes.
Any interest in male-female differences is more apt to relate to the
sex roles of boys and girls rather than physical differences. The topic
of birth is still quite popular; however. Seven year olds seem satisfied
to know that babies come from two seeds, one from the father and
one from the mother. They associate the appearance of pregnant women
with the presence of a baby and ask details of birth. Where the mother
will be at time of delivery and how the baby gets out are frequent
questions. Intense longing for a new baby in the family is usually for
one of the same sex and a mother’s pregnancy is met with excitement.
Baby’s growth, how it’s fed, its size, and how much it costs are all
questions that are raised. Meanwhile, the seven year old’s world is
broadening and includes his place in the social and physical world.
Seven year olds are ashamed of their fears, mistakes, and tears. Selfconsciousness
about their own body is strong and they are sensitive
about body exposure. They may not like to be touched and have become
quite modest about toileting. Strong and persistent boy-girl love affairs
with the idea of marriage occur. Play activities center on playing
house with the use of elaborate adult costumes for girls while boys
enjoy building and playing in tree houses, forts, huts, and tents. The
seven year old’s activities, in general, are characterized by intense
interest in some activities and less participation in new ventures.
(Gesell and Ilg, 1946, p. 320, 324, 368; Ilg and Ames, 1955, p. 204).
Masturbation is common during childhood, but by no means all children
between the ages of three and seven masturbate. We have no accu-
27