Differences and similarities in sexual behaviour among pre-schoolers in Sweden and USA

Studies of childhood sexual behaviour in a cross-cultural perspective are i mportant in that they increase our knowledge of normative behaviour in gene ral and enhance our understanding of cultural influences on child sexual de velopment. Two studies, one from Sweden (n = 185) and one from Minnesota, U SA (n = 467) of 3-6 year old children, were assessed with a 25-item scale d erived from the Child Sexual Behaviour Inventory. Both studies were screene d for the absence of sexual abuse. The Swedish parents completed the questi onnaire about their child's behaviour at home and the US parents typically completed the questionnaire in the waiting room of a paediatric clinic. Pre -school children in Sweden exhibited more sexual behaviour than American ch ildren of the same age according to parental reports. These differences wer e most pronounced in boys. In both studies exhibitionistic or voyeuristic b ehaviour and touching behaviour was most frequent. Both intrusive and sexua lly explicit behaviour was very unusual. The results reflect how cultural c ontext influences which behaviour is permitted in young children, and conse quently what adults think constitutes normal and problematic childhood sexu al behaviour.