Sexual maladaptive behaviour is defined as an abnormal pattern of acting out in sexual manners that are grossly out of proportion to normal development. Then sex, especially rape, is introduced to children at a very young age, it begins to cause certain behaviour in these children, this situation is now known as sexual maladaptive behaviour.
It is a type of behaviour that puts the child’s physical, mental and emotional well-being at risk and also the safety of those who surround the child.
Although, some sexual behaviours in a child could be harmless as it could be a form of self-exploration, but this behaviours becomes maladaptive when it causes social impairment, disruption in daily activities, physical and emotional discomfort to the child and also to others.
There are various and several causes of sexual maladaptive behaviours but one which is very common is sexual molestation and child rape.
Many children who display these acts have been or are still victims of sexual abuse, molestation and rape, they have been molested sexually by older people and people who in one way or the other, they have close relationship with.
Also, children are exposed to these behaviours through social media movies, internet and their environment as such environmental factor plays a very important role in the development of a child.
Some of the symptoms that are commonly neglected includes when a child blatantly ignores rules, disregards figures of authority, displays aggressive behaviours, touching the genitals of animals, exposing oneself in public settings and making crude movements with their bodies.
It is very advisable for parents, guardians and teachers to pay immediate attention and treatment to children with such behaviours as to avoid making it become a long term addiction.
Sexual maladaptive behaviours does not just affect the child physically, but also psychologically, such children are very liable to have anxiety disorder, communication and learning issues and anti- social disorder.
Parents should henceforth learn to monitor their children and keen attention should be given to the movies they watch, the things they say and the clothes they wear.
Also schools who have such children in custody should not relegate such children but should create a forum that will help, such as extra lessons, paying undivided attention to them and also educate them about sexual maladaptive behaviours.
The media should also organize programs that educate parents and children on the behaviours exhibited.
As we know that rape affects the physical and emotional beings of a victim negatively, rapists should not be spared but brought to book. Also parents or guardians of a victim should as a matter of importance, apart from seeking medical attention for the victims, take the victims to a shrink or a psychologists to cleanse the psychological distress.
Morenike Tony-Esan
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