Enhancing Children's Sexual Development Through Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Programs

Abstract

Prior to participating in a personal safety program, Head Start preschoolers were asked for the names of nongenital and genital body parts. Although almost all children knew the correct terminology for nongenital body parts, few knew the anatomically correct terms for genitals. Children were able to learn the correct terms when taught by their parents as part of a personal safety program. Being taught correct genital terminology appeared to affect positively children's attitudes toward their own sexuality. Parents who did and did not teach correct terminology were compared and found to differ on income and in their attitudes toward children's genital exploration. Suggestions for integrating sexuality education into child sexual abuse prevention programs are offered, and parental involvement in sexuality and personal safety education is strongly encouraged.