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Q & A ARCHIVE

When does childhood sexual behavior become a cause for concern?

Q When in the bathroom at school, my 8-year-old nephew touched another boy's penis. He was told that his actions were inappropriate and it hasn't happened since, still I am concerned. Is this normal behavior?

A Yes, it's normal for children to be curious about body parts. And, since this hasn't happened again, it is likely that your nephew really was just curious. If however, this or other sexual behaviors continue after the child has been told that what he did was inappropriate, it could be a cause for concern. If this happens, parents or caregivers may want to consider having the child evaluated by a professional that specializes in childhood sexual development and/or sexual abuse.

The book Understanding Your Child's Sexual Behavior: What's Natural and Healthy by Toni Cavanaugh Johnson, Ph.D., can help parents learn more about childhood sexual behavior. The book addresses healthy and unhealthy sexual behaviors of children and adolescents from birth to 12 years of age, and provides information to help identify, understand, and respond appropriately to these behaviors.