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Question:
I am a school nurse and I had emailed you before about a problem with a second grader that has been unable to control masturbation behavior during class time. This behavior has caused her to get behind in classwork and is being noticed by classmates. We have referred her to the guidance counselor who has explained that this behavior is inappropriate during class time(public). We have had 2 parent conferences and it was told that she exhibits this behavior at home from time to time as well and she has been talked to by her parents. Mom stated that she had the same problem as a child. We suggested that this be handled at home and we would just be responsible for reporting it to the parents. We also sugg. that she see a Dr. to rule out a medical problem such as yeast inf, etc. She has seen 2 Drs. each without having a physical exam(which I do not understand) No testing was done either. Just explained that this was normal behavior and she would outgrow it. If not, they would refer her to child psychologist. I had mom sign a release of info to allow me to talk with the Dr. but the Dr. has not returned my call. Any other suggestions? Please!!
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Answer:
by Konstance McCaffree: ()
Since you wrote I have done some checking myself. One of the causes of this type of masturbation that the child continues even when having discussions about it, is sexual abuse by someone. I didn't want to say anything about it before because often the stress a child feels can also create this situation. If it doesn't seem to be getting any better then you may want to get help from a savvy social service organization. The mother may even have been sexually touched and used this is a reliever as well. I know we might think that she would then be able to see the cause in her child, but sexual abuse can be buried very deeply in the psyche and never be brought out in the conscious understanding.
I don't want to alarm you on this but I did want to put this out as a possibility. I think a good counselor for the child certainly would be warranted, especially since the child is unable to do her work and is getting behind. The parents may need a bigger push to get this child help, especially if there is abuse behind it.
It is not easy to find the abuse or the abuser when people are resistant. The child does need a good medical exam as well, with a sensitive doctor who isn't going to traumatize her anymore than she may have been, if abused.
I'm sorry I don't have any better answers but hopefully you will be able to keep persisting until you get her some help or the behavior is stopped at school. (At home it probably makes no difference.)Reviewed by: Patricia Fawver Ph.D. in Sexology
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