Question

Imagine that you are working as a counselor in an elementary school. A teacher has come to you, concerned that a student in her class might have been sexually abused. She explains that she became concerned when two of her 5-year old male students did not come out of the restroom after she called to them several times from the door. When she went in to check on them, she saw the boys facing each other, with Kyle’s pants around his ankles. Brandon was touching Kyle’s private part and both boys were laughing. In addition to her concern about abuse, the teacher is wondering if the boys could be gay.

As the counselor, explain to the boys’ teacher whether their behavior is indicative of sexual abuse. Remember to reflect on the research you have learned about, and give details to demonstrate why you might come to that conclusion.

How would you respond to the teacher’s question about the boys’ sexual orientation, based on research?

What recommendations should you, as the counselor, give to the teacher? Keep in mind research pertaining to the promotion of healthy sexual development by parents and schools.

Answer 1

the boys behavior is not indicative of sexual abuse as their emotional expression i.e. laughing by both of them justifies the pleasure seeked by it and not the refusal of any one of them. hence it is not a sexual abuse. it is not also neccessary that they are gay as iin their age children seek pleasure by manipulating the genitals. according to psychosexual development by freud the oys are in the stage of phallic development whereby the concentration shifts to the genitals and pleasure is seeked by masturbating. hence there is a great amount of possibility that it is a normal action based on their developmental stage and not because of any abnormality in their sexual orientation. i would recommend the teacher to talk to the students about the matter very politely and individually without the presence of parents as well the other boy and try to know the reasons of the actions. also explain them about the behavior being incorrect in the school premises and trying to understand their thinking about the same. also a careful observation of the shift towards the oedipus complex also needs to be analysed