Childhood Masturbation

Masturbation behavior is an extremely natural and healthy process for the development of children. Children start to touch their own bodies in a way that they enjoy from an early age when they start to explore their bodies. This behavior is more common in children between the ages of 3 and 6 years. The child, who discovers this pleasure sometimes by chance and sometimes consciously, can stimulate himself by touching it with his hand or by rubbing with the help of another object such as a pillow in order to experience the pleasure he feels when he plays with his sexual region. This discovery process, which was triggered by curiosity; It is quite different from older masturbation behavior and has nothing to do with adult sexuality. It is known that children tend to masturbate to reduce the intense anxiety and stress they feel, as well as the desire to enjoy. Masturbation if the child has difficulty coping with emotional difficulties or if the family shows too much interest in masturbation; It can be established as a way of attracting attention, relaxation or escape.

How can parents manage this process more healthily?

.If you see a curiosity in your child in this direction, you can buy him a book that is suitable for his age and tells about body parts and sexual information. You can tell your child that he can read the book and then ask you questions he is curious about.

.Using expressions such as ‘sin, bad, dirty’ about masturbation behavior while talking to your child; It can cause your child to develop negative thoughts about self-image and sexuality in adult life. It is therefore very important to emphasize that this is perfectly normal and not to punish the child for what he or she has done.

.When you witness this behavior of your child, do not react harshly. Because the intense reactions shown can cause the child to feel shame and guilt.

.You can explain to your child that masturbation is a private matter and cannot be done in public. You can say that he can do this when he is alone, in the bathroom or in his own room.

.If your child masturbates during the transition to sleep, leave him alone and do not try to control what he is doing. Compressing your child in this sense can cause him to lie and feel guilty about it.

.When your child masturbates in public, you can try to direct his attention to another activity or toy where he can use his hands.

.At what stage should you seek professional help?

Unless it is done deliberately in public after the age of 5-6, it is not possible to talk about an abnormality related to masturbation behavior. However, it is important to determine whether the child has any physiological problems in the genital area. Because a health problem that may cause itching or irritation will constantly direct attention to that area. If there is no health problem, if the child is inclined to masturbate in the community and unavoidably, at any cost; if he becomes detached, unrelated and later unconscious/exhausted in this process; It is very important to get professional help. With the support of a specialist, it is possible to determine the reasons why the child persists in this behavior and to manage this process more easily as parents.

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Psk. Tugba INCEKARA