Genital play
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Genital play is a common early childhood behavior of genital exploration distinct from autoerotic stimulation. This behavior is part of a normative period of children exploring all of their bodies, and some psychologists have even suggested genital play is a sign of healthy psychosexual development.[1] Though genital play may rarely evolve directly into masturbation, the behavior is sometimes misinterpreted directly as masturbation by adults. Genital play usually manifests in boys between six-seven months of age; and in girls at ten-eleven months.[2] It may take place in groups, and sometimes utilizing inanimate objects such as dolls.[3] It may continue, most often in boys, through the fifth year. There is then most commonly a sexual latency period between genital play and the onset of typically adolescent behaviors such as masturbation.[4]
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[edit] References
- The Vital Touch: How Intimate Contact with Your Baby Leads to Happier, Healthier Development By Sharon Heller
- Modern Psychoanalysis: New Directions and Perspectives By Judd Marmor
- ^ GH6002 Sexuality and Your Child: For Children Ages 3 to 7, MU Extension
- ^ "Human Sexuality and its problems" by Jon D. Bancroft
- ^ "Human Sexuality and its problems" by Jon D. Bancroft
- ^ North Carolina Dept. of Health and Human Services online publications
