By: Andrea Elizabeth
There is much to be learned and said for the positive effects of masturbation. So be careful with condemning your children if you catch them in the act or they approach you with questions. Often when you respond negatively to this behavior you can inadvertently perpetuate more negative behaviors, attitudes and confusion. Your child may respond in one of three ways:
1.) They may simply just stop masturbating and think nothing more of it.
2.) They may think negatively of touching themselves and in turn foster much fear, guilt, shame or fear and think of themselves as being bad, nasty, crazy, etc… This can generate a negative attitude and confusion as children enter into their young adult years.
3.) They can become hypersexual. They will continue the masturbation, invite other children to behave the same or touch on them, and become promiscuous when they become adults.
All in all, masturbating is a normal, healthy activity while young, old, or in between. It allows you to learn about yourself, your body and what you like sexually, helps you relieve tension and/or frustration, and it just feels good! Next time you see your infant bouncing while sitting up then burst into tears for “no reason at all,” just be aware that an orgasm is a sensation that is not comprehended 100 percent by the mind-body balance; so children, reacting to the lack of control they have at the moment of ejaculation, sometimes will cry.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
* Have you ever witnessed a child (infant to age 18) masturbating? How did you react?
* Have you ever been “caught” touching yourself either as a child or adult? How did you respond? Share the story!
* What are some myths you’ve heard about masturbation?
Please comment below if you can offer any other advice to parents or people confused about the effects of masturbation. Everyone can benefit from lifting the suppression off from this taboo topic by addressing and remaining open to discussion. Thank you.
Why You Shouldn't Spank or Yell at Your Child for Masturbating,
MadJiver
14 Feb 2011I think most parents are clueless as to how to handle these type of situations. Naturally kids are curious about the explorations of the world and their bodies, but even still, as a parent it may be awkward & difficult to know how exactly to handle the explanation to your children about sex education. To me, obviously the answer isn’t to make them feel sinful or guilty or punish them for their natural curiousities, but I think a lot of parents are very punitive when it comes to ‘catching’ their kids in the act of what they consider to be sexual transgressions.
Justsayin101
18 Feb 2011Interesting information and research from the University of Michigan on the follow up link too!
arkhein
16 Mar 2011i woke up subconsciously rubbing my wood one morning and my sister walked in and saw me pitching a tent under the covers. she immediately left the room and we never spoke of the incident ever again. pretty healthy way to handle that, i’d say.