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Understanding Your Child's Sexual Behavior: What's Natural and Healthy
Describes healthy childhood sexual behaviors and contrasts them with sexual behaviors that signal a need for concern or intervention. While focus is mainly on problematic sexual behaviors, there is more in- depth information on normal childhood sexual behaviors than is usually found in one place. Covers natural and healthy behaviors, understanding children's sexual exploration, characteristics and causes of problematic behavior, and how to decrease problem behaviors, and devotes much material to dispelling myths about child sexual abuse and children's developing sexuality. The author is a clinical psychologist in private practice. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
189 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1999
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June 5, 2021
This book tackles a lot and offers great insight into a majorly taboo subject in western society; children and their sexual behaviours.
While some parts are difficult to read -it's hard to reconcile the concept of childhood with the topic of sexuality- this book must be incredibly reassuring and informative to guardians of children who are displaying concerning behaviours. As an individual whose profession is in early childhood education, this book was helpful when referencing past and present behaviours exhibited in students. The book offers a couple of case studies that illustrate the different causes and consequential examples of sexual behaviours in children, helping adults interpret the behaviours they are seeing. An important theme of the book is understanding that children, including the ones who may be labeled 'children who molest' (children who demonstrate predatorial behaviours), are themselves survivors of trauma and abuse in some way or another. This book is *almost entirely non judgmental.
There are three key components of the book I found exceptionally helpful. The first was the behavioural checklist; while no case is black and white, it is helpful to have a chart laid out to help determine when a a behaviour is natural, when it is concerning, and when you should be seeking immediate help from a professional.
The second component were the case studies. These studies, including the life circumstances that were the likely cause of the behaviours, the consequential behaviours, and the follow up fleshed out the reality of many children in our society today.
The third, was the inclusion of examples of intentional dialogue examples of engaging with children who are exhibiting concerning behaviours; adults addressing concerning behaviours with children in a non-judgmental and emotionally neutral tone. This is SO important when working/ living with children in general, particularly children who engage in behaviours that challenge us as adults. These examples of dialogue really strip the abstractness out of the topic and insert tangible, productive help for caregivers and professionals.
A star was docked for two reasons, the first being that I wish there were more case studies and more dialogue examples included! The second, indicated with an asterisk* above, was concerning input from Dr. Cavanagh Johnson regarding children exploring their gender identity, especially when male-assigned children dress in feminine clothing. Her advice was to allow this to happen inside the home, but to disallow in public. It's important to remember that this book was published in 1999, and is quite progressive for its time. In 2021 the proper solution is to be your child's champion, and to advocate and educate those questioning your child's dress choices (and gender identity and expression in general) rather than have your child conform to societal norms to protect your own comfort. I imagine the authors would agree today (I hope!), but were meeting parents and societal mores where they were at over two decades ago.
While some parts are difficult to read -it's hard to reconcile the concept of childhood with the topic of sexuality- this book must be incredibly reassuring and informative to guardians of children who are displaying concerning behaviours. As an individual whose profession is in early childhood education, this book was helpful when referencing past and present behaviours exhibited in students. The book offers a couple of case studies that illustrate the different causes and consequential examples of sexual behaviours in children, helping adults interpret the behaviours they are seeing. An important theme of the book is understanding that children, including the ones who may be labeled 'children who molest' (children who demonstrate predatorial behaviours), are themselves survivors of trauma and abuse in some way or another. This book is *almost entirely non judgmental.
There are three key components of the book I found exceptionally helpful. The first was the behavioural checklist; while no case is black and white, it is helpful to have a chart laid out to help determine when a a behaviour is natural, when it is concerning, and when you should be seeking immediate help from a professional.
The second component were the case studies. These studies, including the life circumstances that were the likely cause of the behaviours, the consequential behaviours, and the follow up fleshed out the reality of many children in our society today.
The third, was the inclusion of examples of intentional dialogue examples of engaging with children who are exhibiting concerning behaviours; adults addressing concerning behaviours with children in a non-judgmental and emotionally neutral tone. This is SO important when working/ living with children in general, particularly children who engage in behaviours that challenge us as adults. These examples of dialogue really strip the abstractness out of the topic and insert tangible, productive help for caregivers and professionals.
A star was docked for two reasons, the first being that I wish there were more case studies and more dialogue examples included! The second, indicated with an asterisk* above, was concerning input from Dr. Cavanagh Johnson regarding children exploring their gender identity, especially when male-assigned children dress in feminine clothing. Her advice was to allow this to happen inside the home, but to disallow in public. It's important to remember that this book was published in 1999, and is quite progressive for its time. In 2021 the proper solution is to be your child's champion, and to advocate and educate those questioning your child's dress choices (and gender identity and expression in general) rather than have your child conform to societal norms to protect your own comfort. I imagine the authors would agree today (I hope!), but were meeting parents and societal mores where they were at over two decades ago.
Displaying 1 of 1 review