Addressing Child Sexual Behavior Problems
Find out if there are any sexual behavior problems in your child how to tackle them successfully. But first you will have to know if it is normal or not according to age!
Your child may start to engage in sexual behavior, and it is normal for you to be concerned if this occurs. When this happens, do not worry excessively or panic, the ideal is to have a behavior plan and know if your child needs the help of a professional or not.
The first step in addressing children’s sexual behavior is developing an understanding of sexual development. It is normal for a 3-year-old to drop his pants because he is exploring his body, but it is no longer normal for a 13-year-old to do so, for example. For this reason, it is necessary to learn about sexual development according to age and thus be able to determine whether your child’s behaviors according to their age are normal or not.
Index
TEACH APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR
Younger children may have a harder time understanding limits unless you teach them. Therefore, it is important for parents to teach what behaviors are appropriate and what behaviors are not correct.
Young children should be taught about their own bodies and issues related to safe touch. They should also be given information on how to respond if someone tries to touch them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable. This information is crucial to keep children safe from potential sexual predators at all times .
You will have to give him information that he can understand based on his age. For example, if your son is 5 years old and he asks you where the children come from, do not tell him stories about storks. Tell him the truth but with information appropriate to his age and understanding. Older children can be given more information about the opposite sex and puberty. It is necessary that sex is not a taboo subject at home and that there is always good communication so that your children ask you for help whenever they need it.
At home there should also be rules and limits on privacy and appropriate limits. For example, you can include a rule that all doors must be closed and you must knock before entering or that only one person goes to the bathroom at a time.
HOW TO RESPOND TO INAPPROPRIATE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR
When inappropriate sexual behaviors occur, it is important to respond in a way that does not embarrass the child under any circumstances. For example, if your 4-year-old pulls down his clothes while in a store with you, you should remind him that it is not appropriate to do so in public. You will have to teach him the difference between private and public behavior.
It is important that in these situations you respond calmly and avoid using words that could embarrass the child, such as labeling him as ‘filthy’ or ‘bad’. If your child is embarrassed, he may feel like he doesn’t have to talk to you about sex or anything to do with his body in the future.
WARNING SIGNS OF MORE SERIOUS SEXUAL PROBLEMS
Look for warning signs that sexualized behavior could indicate a more serious problem or may require professional intervention. Possible warning signs may include:
-Inappropriate sexual behavior in development. For example, your 12-year-old son wants to walk around the house naked.
-Coercive sexualized behavior. It is never appropriate for sexual behavior to be coercive, such as when one child tries to convince another to engage in sexual activity by making threats or using aggression.
-Obsessive sexual behavior. If a child focuses too much on sexual behavior, such as trying to watch a sibling undress, it is a red flag.
-Behavior that does not respond to discipline
-Sex behavior that interferes with a child’s life
-Sex behavior that shows a mature knowledge of sex. For example, a 4-year-old should not imitate adult sexual activity and an 8-year-old should not attempt to access pornography.
If you identify these behavior problems of a sexual nature in your child, it will be necessary for you to go to a child psychology professional. A professional can conduct an evaluation and make treatment recommendations to address sexual behavior problems.
Dr. Tabriella Perivolaris, Sara's mother and fan of fashion, beauty, motherhood, among others, about the female universe. Since 2018 she has been working as a copywriter, always bringing to her articles a little of her experience and experience as a mother and woman.