[Diarrhoea]

Speaking to a counsellor recently. She said to me that most guys start touching themselves from the age of 2 and that it was very much normal to start touching yourself from that age and to start masturbating from around 5. I didn't know what to make of that but that can't be right surely?!

[Noodlzzz]

Yes it is true. By 'touching yourself' it doesn't mean you know 'goal directed' and on purpose, it's just like when kids suck their thumb or put their toes in their mouth like 'oh what's this?' kinda thing. It's not exactly masturbating in the sense we as adults use.

But I think the more important question is, why was this brought up in a counselling session!?

[ELs123]

5 wth.

Who observes kids to find these facts out?

[Noodlzzz]

(Original post by ELs123)
5 wth.

Who observes kids to find these facts out?

Parents.

[GirasoleL]

I think a lot of kids do actually, but without knowing what it is or why its happening. Its just something they accidently discover and might carry on doing it because it feels nice, not because they have any sexual thoughts or there's a purpose for it, just curiosity.
I actually remember masturbating when I was about 4/5, accidently discovered it, but at the time had no idea what it was, but did it anyway. I think I thought I was hypnotising myself or something. Bit of a weird take on it, but hey.

Oh but like Noodlzzz has said, it seems like a bit of a strange comment and out of the blue, was there any relevance to what you were talking about at the time?

[hr30]

We got told that in sex ed. when we were in Y6. Apparently it's a 'normal exploration of your own body'.

[KJane]

I remember reading something about this, but it's not touching themselves in the same way a teenager or older person would. Have you never heard a toddler ask about private parts? I gave my nephew and cousin a bath together when they were little, and my nephew asked where her willy was. They get curious.

[bullettheory]

(Original post by Diarrhoea)
Speaking to a counsellor recently. She said to me that most guys start touching themselves from the age of 2 and that it was very much normal to start touching yourself from that age and to start masturbating from around 5. I didn't know what to make of that but that can't be right surely?!

How on earth did this come up in counselling?

[daisydaffodil]

Very normal. Children explore, and find that exploring certain areas can be of comfort. I can sort of imagine why that might come up in counselling.

[Steezy]

How can you masturbate when you can't get an erection?

[Diarrhoea]

I can't rememeber why it came up. I think I said something about feeling like my sexual drive wasn't great and then she started going on about masturbating lol.

[Diarrhoea]

(Original post by Steezy)
How can you masturbate when you can't get an erection?

Ye that's what I was thinking lol.

[Noodlzzz]

(Original post by Diarrhoea)
I can't rememeber why it came up. I think I said something about feeling like my sexual drive wasn't great and then she started going on about masturbating lol.

That seems... odd. Wait, is she a psychoanalyst? URGHHHH

[Diarrhoea]

(Original post by Noodlzzz)
That seems... odd. Wait, is she a psychoanalyst? URGHHHH

Err No. Why?

[Noodlzzz]

(Original post by Diarrhoea)
Err No. Why?

They are known for their sexual drive and early childhood preoccupations.

[GPH92]

(Original post by ELs123)
5 wth.

Who observes kids to find these facts out?

Me

[Diarrhoea]

(Original post by Noodlzzz)
They are known for their sexual drive and early childhood preoccupations.

You've lost me.

[daisydaffodil]

(Original post by Steezy)
How can you masturbate when you can't get an erection?

You can get erections from birth. It's not really masturbation as such - masturbation is using your own sexual organs for sexual pleasure. Children don't use their sexual organs for sexual pleasure - it is purely exploratory and/or a comfort thing. Quite different to masturbation.

[Steezy]

(Original post by daisydaffodil)
You can get erections from birth. It's not really masturbation as such - masturbation is using your own sexual organs for sexual pleasure. Children don't use their sexual organs for sexual pleasure - it is purely exploratory and/or a comfort thing. Quite different to masturbation.

You show me a baby with a boner and I'll show you one horny little ****! And then report you for distributing child pornography.

Most boys start getting boners from around 10.

[daisydaffodil]

(Original post by Steezy)
You show me a baby with a boner and I'll show you one horny little ****! And then report you for distributing child pornography.

Most boys start getting boners from around 10.

Cousin had them at seven.. Aunty told me once when I was on holiday at their house as he wee'd all over the ensuite due to it, she thought it was funny hence why she told me. I on the other hand was a very embarrassed fifteen year old but have saved that little anecdote for when said cousin is a lot older and getting married or something.. It is quite possible, if you google (carefully) there'll be medical journals etc explaining.