Childhood masturbation is the behavior seen in pre-adolescent children when they stimulate their genital area. This condition is considered a normal part of development unless there is an accompanying emotional or behavioral problem. However, due to cultural influences and common taboos about sexuality, this can be met with anxiety and reaction from parents. However, excessive and frequent childhood masturbation may be related to emotional distress. In this case, the child should be evaluated by a specialist.
Reasons for childhood masturbation
In childhood masturbation, the child receives pleasure from this behavior due to external stimuli, physical factors or curiosity. discovers and continues repetitively. Physically affecting factors can be allergies that cause itching in the genital area, diaper rash, tight clothes that cause discomfort.
The relationship of the child with the environment and caregivers is also important. The tendency to masturbation increases in children who do not receive enough attention from their parents and the environment.
The reaction of the environment to the child's masturbation behavior is also important. Situations that cause emotional stress such as weaning, birth of a sibling, loss of a parent, separation from one of the parents, sexual abuse can cause the behavior to be reinforced and increased. can trigger masturbation. Sometimes it occurs as a learned behavior. Early exposure to sexually explicit images from the Internet, seeing through an adult can cause this.
Diagnose in childhood masturbation
Disease with what is considered developmentally normal in childhood masturbation There are not very sharp boundaries between what is accepted as In general, if it causes a wound or infection in the genital area, negatively affects the social life of the child, and includes other emotional problems, it is referred for treatment. If masturbation includes sexual behaviors similar to adults that the child cannot have knowledge of, it should definitely be evaluated in terms of sexual abuse.
A detailed history is taken from the family for diagnosis, a video may be requested. G If necessary, it is requested that departments such as pediatrics and dermatology be evaluated in order not to be confused with neurological problems such as urinary tract infections, dermatitis and epilepsy.
Treatment in childhood masturbation
If childhood masturbation is considered developmentally normal, the situation is monitored by giving suggestions to the family. In many cases, it has been observed that when the communication between mother and child is increased, there is a decrease in behavior. A holistic approach is recommended when accompanied by other emotional problems.
Childhood masturbation advice to family
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Watch for times when the behavior is intensified, as these may be times when the child is emotionally challenged. When you realize this, you can take approaches to support the child.
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Punishing, embarrassing, laughing, mocking, banning are methods that will definitely not work. These methods can reinforce behavior. Also, your child feels rejected and helpless.
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Improve communication between you and your child. You can achieve this by organizing special play hours.
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Talk to your child about their feelings.
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Orient them to activities that will enable them to spend their time more active and productive. Playgroups, kindergarten, sports, painting may be some of these.
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When you notice the behavior, try to draw her attention to an activity she likes.
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Despite all this, if you think that the behavior has increased and you cannot cope, you should definitely seek help from an expert.
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