[Author’s Name]
[Institution’s Name]
Essay on Individual and Interpersonal Sexual Behaviors
There is no clear borderline between sexual and nonsexual enjoyment of touching someone else's body. For example, holding hands may or may not have a sexual connotation, depending on culture, situation and other factors. The distinction between sexual and nonsexual behavior can be relevant due to social rules.
As with other behaviors, our high intelligence and complex societies have produced in us the most complicated sexual behaviors of any animal. Most people experiment with a range of sexual activities during their lives, though they tend to engage in only a few of these regularly. Most people enjoy some sexual activities. However, most societies have defined some sexual activities as inappropriate (wrong person, wrong activity, wrong time, etc.) Some people enjoy many different sexual activities, while others avoid sexual activities altogether for religious or other reasons. There is also a widespread belief that sex acts are devalued when engaged in outside of a long-term, monogamous romantic relationship. Historically, most societies and religions have viewed sex as appropriate only within marriage, but extra-marital sexual activity is increasingly accepted in modern society (Chauncey, 1982/1983).
Sexual behaviors are normal, even in very young children. Many children touch themselves, show their privates to others, play doctor, or ask questions about sex. For children to have healthy sexual development, you should let your children know that they can ask you about their bodies.
If you feel that your child's sexual behavior is inappropriate (for example, touching himself in public), then some limits should be set on that behavior. Many parents worry that setting such limits will cause the child to be ashamed or to have hangups about sex. However, like other things, children need guidelines about healthy touching and sexual behaviors (Chauncey, 1982/1983).
Here are four simple rules you can teach your child to help him understand the limits...................
