Came across an interesting report whilst researching the effects of Ice (methamphetamine) on sexual urges. It was an unexpected result of my search because it was a discussion of the incidence of hypersexuality in children with bipolar disorder. The link between hypersexuality and forms of mania are well known, but in children?
The report was revealing because one of the first things it said was that adults and parents find it difficult to talk about hypersexuality in children. The reason I think is simple. We have developed the completely false idea that children are (and ought to be) asexual.
Around 45% of children with bipolar disorder exhibit hypersexuality. This causes a number of behaviours, masturbation (not necessarily compulsive), disinhibition, interest in sex, use of sexualised language, seeking sexual contact with other children and adults.
The article also mentioned that parents with hypersexual children do not report it because they fear they will be accused of sexual abuse. Hypersexuality can be misdiagnosed as ‘overstimulation’ due to exposure to sexual activity. However, studies have shown that only 1% of the 45% diagnosed with hypersexuality have been sexually abused.
The biggest problem however, is parent’s moral shock at the behaviour of their child. One parent reported disbelief and couldn’t understand where their child got their behaviour from. She said they had been very careful about not exposing their child to any sexual imagery or information. This is the type of ignorance I’d expect in a society that has trouble admitting child sexuality.
Here’s the deal – a good deal of sexual response is hardwired. The mania is caused by the overstimulation of part of the brain. A side effect is often the overstimulation of the sexual centre in adults and children. The hypersexual child is acting out instinctive behaviour. The problem is the parent’s naive belief that children are naturally asexual.
But the reality of child hypersexuality raises another interesting issue. It suggests that there is a range of sexual responses in children as a result of their particular mindscape. Bipolar disorder is clearly an exceptional circumstance but there are children who exhibit natural sexual precocity (and conservatism). This begs the question – what is normal behaviour?
Unfortunately our idea of ‘normal’ is constrained by the moral assumptions of the Judeo-Christian tradition which is sex negative. A cross-cultural study would indicate that sex positive societies accept sexual behaviour from children that ‘we’ would not. In short, we condemn sexually precocious children for moral reasons and not because of any objective undrstanding of normal behaviour.
Of course hypersexuality is a problem, especially if the behaviour prevents socialization and functionality – but how much of it is unnecessarily problematized because of moral concerns? In our sex negative society no wonder hypersexuality in children is embarrasing. When will we grow up?
Last thought–given the altitude of most of the world, I would almost be praying that no sort of mass, irrefutable event ever happens. It would lock over half the planet into a mythic worldview for centuries. Maybe I’m being pessimistic, but that’s terrifying!
Sorry re above. Wrong post!