As a counselor at MTA that works with children ages 4 on up, I am often presented with a concerned parent asking the question about what is normal child sexual curiosity. Here is the answer I give them that comes directly from the experts at the New Orleans Children's Advocacy Center.

What Child Sexual Behaviors Are Not Normal? 

When trying to decide if a sexual behavior is normal, it's important for parents to be aware of and think about several things.

Concerning and/or abusive behavior can include sexual activity between children that is kept secret, occurs between children with a sizable age difference and/or children with unequal power or developmental levels.

Parents should consider whether the child's behavior appears to be compulsive, if the child seems to be obsessed with it, and/or if the child is not able or does not respond to the parents' redirection.

Normal child sexual behaviors are often accompanied with giggling and amusement.

Concerning and/or abusive sexual behaviors can be accompanied with physical force, threats, intimidation, rewards, promises, gifts and/or coercion.

For More Information:

New Orleans Children's Advocacy Center

504-894-5484

www.nocac.net

Sherrie Hutson, MAMFC Counselor Intern

225-202-4679

Sherrie@murphytoerner.com