NCJ Number
183112
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect - Special Issue Volume: 24 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2000 Pages: 49-61
Date Published
2000
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article attempts to increase the awareness and competence of professionals and parents in understanding and responding to the sexual behavior of children.
Abstract
Children engage in a wide range of sexual behaviors, some of which adults observe or learn about from other children. Adults can be trained to evaluate what is developmentally expected or problematic, and to respond consistently on the basis of objective definitions and universal goals, rather than relying on individuals’ personal beliefs and values. There is a legitimate need for adults to validate or correct children’s sexual learning because children’s sexual behaviors may pose a risk to themselves or others. The article describes dissemination of training curricula designed for this purpose and presented in Part I of this paper. The article suggests that pediatricians, home visitors, and parent educators be made aware of the profound effects of unempathic parenting and that perpetration prevention be initiated at birth. The article also proposes sociocultural changes as well as changes in mental health treatment for at-risk populations. References