Playing doctor
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"Playing doctor" (or "play doctor") is a phrase used colloquially in the western world that refers to the occurrence of children engaging in the examination of each other's genitals.[1] Playing doctor is considered by most child psychologists as a normal step in childhood sexual development between the ages of approximately three and six years. The phrase originates from children using the pretend roles of doctor and patient as a pretext for such an examination, but the phrase refers to the act whether or not such roles are actually involved.[2][3][4][5][6]
Playing doctor is a source of discomfort to some parents when they discover their children are engaging in such an activity.[7] Parenting professionals often advise parents to use the discovery that their child has been playing doctor to calmly explain the differences between the sexes, and to teach them about modesty and respecting the privacy and bodies of other children.[8][4]
Adults also use the phrase facetiously in similar reference, to refer to adult sexual activity.[9]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ http://life.familyeducation.com/sexuality/toddler/53839.html
- ^ http://extension.missouri.edu/xplor/hesguide/humanrel/gh6002.htm
- ^ http://www.medhelp.org/forums/ChildBehavior/messages/33006.html
- ^ a b http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5444897/
- ^ http://www.parentkidsright.com/pt-sexplay.html
- ^ http://www.fisher-price.com/us/parentingsolutions/article_view.asp?articleid=36591
- ^ http://www.canadianparents.com/article/i-caught-them-playing-doctor
- ^ http://pediatrics.about.com/od/playingdoctor/Playing_Doctor.htm
- ^ http://www.medhunters.com/articles/playingDoctor.html
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