Infant and Child Sexuality: A Sociological Perspective - Ipce

that his erection was quite a trick, but I was
glad that he had that “long thing” and not us.
However, the third girl talked about it for days
and began asking other boys in the neighborhood
to come over and play doctor, probably in anticipation
of seeing another erection trick. It was
unique and fun to bounce around and to swing it
in the doctor exams that one day, but I never had
any further interest after that.
My neighborhood environment has always been
quite permissive which enabled me (a boy) the
time and freedom to become the finest five year
old doctor in my neighborhood. I clearly remember
associating my penile erections with examination
of the next door girl’s anatomy.
Very commonly sex play among children takes the form of “show it”
games.
During childhood I had a very sheltered life.
One thing I remember is the time the neighbor
girl and I (a boy) stripped and examined each
other to see for ourselves the differences
between our sexes.
Sex play can involve mixed emotions for the child as he tries to
understand and sort out his feelings of curiosity, fear of the unknown,
erotic desire, and even guilt. The child’s guilt is reinforced
by the mother in the first of the following two cases. In the second
case, the girl though scolded more than once for playing doctor did not
develop strong guilt feelings.
In the garage three, four, and five year olds
were starting to explore each other’s genitalia,
but I (a girl) felt so embarrassed that I
sought an escape in being the door guard in case
anyone came in. Guilt surrounded the whole escapade
both during and after. But somehow I never
ventured far enough away so that I could not
observe the “action.” Afterwards I tried to face
my mother but I felt so terrible that I started
crying and told her about our experience, whereupon
she consoled me and assured me that I did
right in not participating and saying how bad my
cousin and friend were. My first ordeal was over
for me, but the other two received lectures from
their parents after being informed by my mother.
Still, a curiosity lingered and during the
next seven years or so I remember masturbating
and fantasizing, but only quietly (secretly) and
in bed. Also, occasionally my sister, neighbor
girl, and I would explore her little sister’s
genitalia.
I remember the neighbor boy sticking his hand
down my pants in the field by our house one day,
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