CHILDRENS SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR AND KNOWLEDGE - A COMMUNITY STUDY

Objective: To provide contemporary information on sexual behaviour and knowledge among normal Irish children, as perceived by their parents. Method: The study was carried out in an Eastern Health Board urban Co mmunity Care Area, The parents of a random sample of all three year ol ds, and all seven and 12 year olds attending mainstream primary school s within the community care area formed the study population, A semi s tructured interview was used, covering demographic data, general play, sexual knowledge, sexual behaviour and family behaviour. Results: A t otal of 233 parents participated, giving a 67% response rate, Approxim ately 40% of children in each age group were reported by their parents as showing interest in their own genitalia, this being significantly more common in boys, Approximately one half of three year olds were re ported by parents as engaging in play with their own genitalia, this a ctivity becoming increasingly uncommon in the older age groups, Sexual play with other children was reported by 12.5% of parents, and was si gnificantly more likely among the three year olds and amongst boys, Ex plicit sexual behaviour involving older children, such as oral genital contact or attempted intercourse, were not reported for any child, In terest in genitalia of family members was very common in three year ol ds, while touching genitalia of family members was unusual, Approximat ely one third of parents had had some discussion with their older girl s about pubertal bodily changes, but male adolescent bodily changes we re rarely discussed, Mothers were the usual source of information on s exual matters to children of both sexes. Conclusions: Sexual interest and exploration are common is young children, while explicit sexual be haviours which come to adult attention are unusual, Little discussion takes place between parents and older children, particularly boys, abo ut specific aspects of reproduction including pubertal bodily changes.