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Our child masturbates - is it normal?

Questions:

Dear Network Doctor

Is it normal for a boy of 8? years to masturbate?

We have taken our son several times gradually and we think it is very early to care for it. He does it at all times of the day and does not care if there are others in the room. Could there be anything wrong with him and should we go to the doctor with that?

Sincerely, a worried parent.

Reply:

Dear worried.

I can reassure you that your son is absolutely normal.

It is quite common for children (both girls and boys) to explore and stimulate their own (and sometimes also each other's) genital organs. Indeed, ultrasound studies have shown that even the fetuses inside the mother's belly pills their genitalia.

It is therefore quite common for children to "masturbate", and boys can actually get something that resembles an orgasm (a bit untimely called a "dry orgasm" because it is not accompanied by ejaculation). Also girls can have orgasm experiences. In many cases, children are far less scary than their parents, and the border between private and public often goes somewhere else than for adults.

I think that in the specific situations where you feel that the mischief takes over, you must explain to your son that it is nice and alright that he investigates and plays with himself, but it is not always you want to look at it. Invite him to wait a little, or find a more discreet place to have fun. It is, of course, a balancing act and it is important that he regards the recommendation as a declaration of love and not as a reprimand.

I think that you should support him in being curious about his own body - but at the age of 8 he is also big enough to learn that the whole world does not necessarily want to be part of his sexual doctor and experiments.

Good luck!

Christian Graugaard

Doctor, PhD, sexual researcher
Our child masturbates - is it normal?

FAQ - 💬

❓ Is it normal for a child to play with herself?

👉 “If a child is feeling frightened or alone or scared, [masturbation or genital touching] is a soothing behavior.” said Roffman. “If children are upset, they touch themselves in a way that makes them feel good or relaxed like thumb-sucking. It is a normal way children deal with those feelings.”

❓ Is it normal for a 12 year old to play with herself?

👉 Although infants and younger children do touch their own genitals from time to time because they like the way it feels, masturbation is more common in older kids, from the preadolescent and teen years and beyond.

❓ At what age do boys start ejaculating?

👉 The mean reported age for the start of puberty was 12.39 years (95% CI, 11.99-12.80 years). The mean age of the first experienced ejaculation was 13.59 years (95% CI, 13.05-14.12 years).

❓ Is it normal for a 11 year old boy to play with himself?

👉 For a child this age, it has to do with him discovering pleasure associated with stimulation of a sensitive part of his body. It also may be a way of relieving tension or stress. If he becomes obsessed with this behaviour, it is problematic and not normal any more.

❓ Can a 6 year old have wet dreams?

👉 For boys, it usually happens during the ages of 9-14. For girls, it can be anytime between 8-13 years old. As boys undergo puberty, their testicles will be able to produce semen. Wet dreams may therefore occur as the body's way to release excess semen.

❓ At what age does a boy start ejaculating?

👉 The mean reported age for the start of puberty was 12.39 years (95% CI, 11.99-12.80 years). The mean age of the first experienced ejaculation was 13.59 years (95% CI, 13.05-14.12 years).

❓ At what age do boys start liking girls?

👉 In terms of an 'average' age, it seems to be 11 for girls and 12 for boys. But don't worry about averages… who wants to be average, anyway! Furthermore, even if his body says he is ready, intellectually, his mind might not be on the same wavelength just yet.

❓ How many times should a man release sperm in a week?

👉 It is completely healthy to ejaculate more or less than three times a week! The average ejaculation frequency for men ranges from two to seven times a week, which is a pretty wide gap. So it's clear that there's no right or wrong answer, nor are there any significant health risks associated with ejaculation frequency.

❓ At what age do boys produce sperm?

👉 12 years oldGuys start producing spermatozoa (or sperm, for short) at the onset of puberty. Puberty starts at different times for different people. Boys usually start puberty when they're around 10 or 12 years old, though some start a little sooner and others a little later.

❓ What is average age for first kiss?

👉 fifteenThough the average age for young people to experience a first kiss is fifteen, there is absolutely no reason to rush into it because “everyone else is doing it” or you want to feel “normal.” After all, what good is a kiss if it comes with a side of regret?

❓ What happens if you hold your sperm for too long?

👉 No evidence suggests blocking sperm can cause harm or negative side effects. Unejaculated sperm is not harmful to the body and does not build up. The body reabsorbs sperm that does not leave through ejaculation. This has no side effects on sex drive or fertility.


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