Genital play
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 begins in boys between six and seven months of age, and in girls at ten to eleven months.[2] It may take place in groups, and sometimes utilizing inanimate objects such as dolls.[2] Genital play may continue during early childhood. When the child is about six years old, a sexual latency period starts in which there can be some private masturbation. The latency phase ends when the child at ten years old enters preadolescence.[3]
See also[]
References[]
- ^ "GH6002 Sexuality and Your Child: For Children Ages 3 to 7, MU Extension". Archived from the original on February 10, 2007.
- ^ a b Jon D. Bancroft (29 December 2008). Human Sexuality and its problems. p. 148. ISBN 978-0443051616.
- ^ "North Carolina Dept. of Health and Human Services online publications" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 30, 2015.
Further reading[]
- Judd Marmor (January 1995). Modern Psychoanalysis: New Directions and Perspectives. ISBN 9781412828864.
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