What age did your son start "messing" with himself?

Question

Me and my friend found her 7 year old autistic son with VERY VERY DISTUBINGLY GRAPHIC MAGAZINES under his bed. He was playing in his room and he went quiet so we checked on him and he was under the bed looking at the pictures with his hand down his pants masturbating. We were horrified, we took the pictures away, he went in the corner. She doesn't know where to begin. Help?

Answer

Well I would begin by explaining that what he was doing was normal, EVERY boy is going to do it, you don't want to scar him and make him think he was doing something wrong, maybe he shouldn't have had the magazines but, he is a boy n that is a normal part of growing up.

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I don't think it's weird that he's "messing" with himself at that age. That is normal. What's strange and a bit disturbing is that he had magazines? Where the hell did he get them?

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I think it's normal for him to start masturbating BUT a boy his age should not have those pictures. I would sit him down and explain that to him.

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Hunmm, I'm a guy and I can say there is a difference between a fondle (touching one self) and actually master bating (touching in order to ejaculate). It's normal for all boys to touch and explore themselves. Especially children. At work (I work in primary schools) I see both boys and girls doing it. I've also worked in special needs schools and some children like to get aroused. Because of their needs they don't always know it's not socially acceptable. Let's face it, if something feels good then why stop? The magazines part is a bit strange though.

Answer

I worked in childcare, in pre preschool so the kids are 3 turning 4. there were two children, a male and female who would play with themselves at nap time. other teachers found it disturbing but I just wouldn't look and leave them too it! As far as I'm concerned it's normal!

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That doesn't make sense to me at all. Where did he get them?

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My son is turning 2 in November. He already touches himself down there. We just tell him not to do it in front of anyone. It's normal for them to experiment at that age, it's a part of life. I wouldn't make him feel like he's doing something wrong, but rather explain to him what he's doing is ok, but just in private. The magazine thing is not appropriate however, and I would definitely take those away amd explain that those are for adults only.

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What Kelly said. He shouldn't be punished for masturbating. However, he does need to learn that those magazines are entirely inappropriate for a boy his age. It's actually sex abuse and illegal for someone to provide him with them.

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At 7?!

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I'm not a guy and I started at 8. No one ever caught me, I did it alllllllll the time. I informed my best friend that she should try it, too, haha. ?? It's a normal part of growing up and learning about your body.

The abnormal part is the magazines... I mean, guys are more visual, magazines appeal to men more than women. But at that age, I don't think they're appropriate.

I wouldn't necessarily go to a counselor, though. My ex's mom did that to him about the same thing and he was fuuuuucked up about sex (pardon my french there) forever and still blames her. Shrug. I'd just have a conversation with him, say this part is normal, this is inappropriate. See what happens.

What age did your son start "messing" with himself?

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