Variations of this scenario happen in the best of families. Parents who have had their own sexuality shamed cannot handle their children’s natural sexuality. When their child explores his sexuality, parents react with disapproval or worse, disgust. Global comments such as “That’s bad,” “Don’t ever touch yourself there,” “Go get decent—put on your clothes,” or “Cover your privates” link sexuality to something bad, dirty and disgusting. This part of us must be disowned. The feeling of shame becomes linked to sexuality.
