What's Normal Sexual Behavior in Young Children?

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My 6 yr old soon was playing with a friend his age when I caught them being inappropriate. I later found out that the friend had bitten my son's penis! It was enough to make it red and hurt his belly. Later that night he told me it still hurt and when I looked he had an erection. Should I be worried that this other boy is acting out sexual abuse that he's experienced? I am definitely freaked out!

Freaked out of UT 12:25AM July 10, 2012

Thank you for posting this.. I am sharing it on my facebook page- I masturbated as a toddler and from there, I became more sexual, and comfortable with my body as a grew older. My parents were very conservative and prudish about sexuality, well at least with me- and I only ever got the "sex is dirty- don't do it" kinds of talks (well my dad died when I was 9- but mom gave me awkward little dirty sex speeches sometimes). I always wondered if my childhood memories may have had some repressed sex abuse memories in there, but apparently I was perfectly normal. I just really appreciate this post. =) I think this is a topic people need to be more open and comfortable with talking about! Kudos!!

Gillian of FL 6:22AM May 27, 2012

I was taking a shower today and my Three year old son came into the bathroom completely naked holding out his penis and when I asked what he was doing he said he wanted to put it inside me, but not in by bum. Obviously I freak out, the worst part is when I ask him where he learned it, he said no one. Is this normal behavior?

Amanda of NH 9:44AM April 11, 2012

there is nothing a child does that couln't have been prevented.
humans are inherintly sexual creatures. with a crying need for guidance.
sexual behavior is expected and should be coped with before it occurs.
so abuse is the parents fault
tendencies are the parents fault
because children should be trained
on how to live
and misbehavior lost of sanity,
all are the parents fault.
thats why parents hate the issue.
is sexual desire the exception or the rule?
is not everyone born with it?
children need to learn
how to live a productive succesful life
and what will keep them from it.
they need to know what puts their health at risk.
and that their wishes are not weird but inherited,
but that their wishes can be dangerous.
doctors will never get it right.
and people should never be impressed.
they are new to the world
and need instructions to live.

loid of NY 6:38AM May 03, 2010

While parents have a responsibility to guide children in their pleasure seeking and the expression of their desires, they also have a responsibility to protect their child's right to sexual fulfillment.
In this light, parents might refer to Tony Duvert's book "Good Sex Illustrated", which analyzes power dynamics that usurp this right and desexualize children.

sean 7:06PM September 01, 2009

Gotta love that honest advice line:
"Grownups do that in private, and you should, too."
Sounds to me like our old courtroom favorite, "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth". Isn't that what we owe the kids when they're learning?

Muser of NM 4:32PM August 31, 2009