Masturbating – Why Do Children Do It?
According to most physicians, children start masturbating at an early age, around 18 months, and it peaks between the ages of 2 and 3 and then declines until they reach puberty. It usually being as children are investigating their bodies. Some children find that it actually feels good to masturbate and do so for that reason. Experts agree that children should not be punished for masturbating, however, they should be taught where masturbating is not appropriate, such as in public places or in front of guests, for example.
There is nothing at all sexual in the case of children masturbating. They are exploring their bodies. They find that the feeling they get from doing that is pleasurable. Why – because little penises and vaginas are very sensitive to touch. There is nothing wrong with children masturbating. They should not be taught that it is a bad thing. Do your research – talk to your doctor, read literature, read books, search the internet. Whatever you need to do to understand that masturbation in children is a natural phenomena and find out how to deal with it.
Children
How embarrassing you think. You have your parents or your in-laws over for dinner and your child is sitting on the floor in front of the television and decides to play with their private parts. Oh my, you think! I will just go hide under the table now! However, your parents or in-laws, have, after all, raised children of their own and have most likely gone through those same things with, gasp, you or your significant other! To be sure, that scenario would be extremely embarrassing to you. However, as an adult, you should deal with it in an adult, calm way. After all, you are the parent.
Life these days is filled with sex and sexual innuendos. People talk about it and children hear it. It is on the television and on the radio all the time. It is inevitable that children are exposed to it. Many a parent has blamed their child’s masturbation on that child’s exposure to sex and sexual verbiage, especially in the case of split marriages. While that is a whole different subject, blame should not be bandied about for a young child masturbating unless there are other factors involved. If that is the case, please consult a child specialist or your doctor. If you suspect someone has sexually abused your child, the best course of action is to contact your local children’s services agency or see your child’s pediatrician.
This article is not intended as medical advice. You should consult your pediatrician with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development.
Masturbating – Why Do Children Do It?
