Normative Sexuality in Children Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Normative Sexuality in Children - Essay Example This has called for knowledge expansion among the practicing pediatricians as regards to what is to be considered normative about sexual actions in children and teenagers and those that might be an indication that the child has been a victim of sexual abused or even acting in a manner that demonstrates sexual aggressiveness to fellow children. However it is worth noting that sexual development and plays are a positive indication of healthy and natural processes in children from toddlers through childhood to adolescence. For the case of toddlers and infant, it may involve body sensations, cuddling and touch amongst others. Behavior such as rubbing of genital parts and even erection experience is witnessed among the infant boys.2 It is also common that early school going children start inquiring about the function of various body parts. This later on graduates to sexual intercourse that is associated with affection and love for the opposite sex. During pre-adolescent stage of child dev elopment, they start getting involved in social relationships and expectation of indulging in clearer sexual feelings. Children touch and rub their sexual organs and this goes to the extent of masturbation. This would go into and even beyond puberty. At puberty and adolescence, the body parts and sex organs develop and this stage sets the onset of menstrual cycles among girls and routine masturbation especially for boys. There is the evidence of a lot of intimacy and romance which ultimately leads to dating, kissing and eventually sexual relationships and intercourse. It is very important to determine the age at which a child is appropriate or inappropriate sexual actions and respectively. For most children, sexual behaviors are exhibited throughout their childhood even before attaining puberty. However it will be considered normative (or expected) when the behaviors are not hostile, overtly sexual and are more exploratory in nature. Behaviors such as genital penetration and private part-mouth contact are not common and therefore considered non-normative.4 Sexual growth just as any areas of growth develops over time. There are certain behaviors that should not be ignored when a child develops. This is because such behaviors can be dangerous to the child and those who associate or interact with them. This therefore calls for keenness in deciding whether the behavior is natural or healthy. In addition the red flag needs to be raised especially when the behavior is considered extensive or involving others in non-consensual ways. For sexually reactive group of children, there is normally a tendency of engaging in several age-inappropriate sexual actions. This is majorly contributed by the fact that they were at one point exposed to sexual experiences. This drives them into engaging in sexual behaviors or relations characterized by too much sexual play, sexual abuse and molestation of other children.5 Exposing children of the age bracket of ten and below the years will lead them into emulating what they observe and hear. Such exposure may include but not limited to all natures of sexual actions with adolescents and adults viewing of sexually explicit and pornographic materials. Witnessing activities considered sexual between adults, adolescent or even other children. Such exposure might drive sexually reactive children into luring and engaging other