Can a 4 year old molest another 4 year old?

[Mercy Not Sacrifice]

Thats right! Turk has come out of RF retirement to ask this burning question. Let me set up the scenario for you.

So I am sitting here, watching E.R. when there is a break in the show to promote the 10 P.M. news. This is what I heard. "A 4 year old molests another 4 year old at a day care center." and "this is a bigger problem than was once thought."

So I am sitting there wondering if something with no feelings or knowledge of sexuality can molest something else with no feelings or knowledge of sexuality.

The nature of what they called "abuse" was described in detail but basically it all comes down to the fondling of a little girls private parts by a little boy.

So what do you all think?

I will be surprised if charges are not filed. I'm afraid that's where we've come in our increasingly paranoid society.

And yes, this would be a perfect way to scar BOTH kids for life.

 

[Draka]

here is the news clip:

http://www.whotv.com/

scroll down the video list to "Erin Keirnan's investigation: children molesting children"
There's a part 1 and 2

One boy pulled his pants down, another boy had pulled her pants down and then they touched her. Seems that the boys were curious. They knew what they had and showed it and wanted to see what she had and see how it was different.

DHS is saying that it was not abuse, but there was inadequate supervision and notification to the parents.

Unfortunately the little girl in question has been not only pulled out of the daycare by the mother, but has been put into counseling "to ensure she doesn't victimize someone and to ensure she's not a victim again"

 

[Bishka]

here is the news clip:

http://www.whotv.com/

scroll down the video list to "Erin Keirnan's investigation: children molesting children"
There's a part 1 and 2

One boy pulled his pants down, another boy had pulled her pants down and then they touched her. Seems that the boys were curious. They knew what they had and showed it and wanted to see what she had and see how it was different.

DHS is saying that it was not abuse, but there was inadequate supervision and notification to the parents.

Unfortunately the little girl in question has been not only pulled out of the daycare by the mother, but has been put into counseling "to ensure she doesn't victimize someone and to ensure she's not a victim again"

The mother needs the counseling more then the daughter does, but I suspect with a mother like that, the little girl will need more the therapy.

 

[Draka]

The mother needs the counseling more then the daughter does, but I suspect with a mother like that, the little girl will need more the therapy.

It does seem she flies a little off the handle about the whole thing. All distraught and bemoaning about how her little girl was horribly victimized and on and on. I just don't believe that the girl would be scarred for life or anything if it was just let alone about the whole thing.

 

[Bishka]

It does seem she flies a little off the handle about the whole thing. All distraught and bemoaning about how her little girl was horribly victimized and on and on. I just don't believe that the girl would be scarred for life or anything if it was just let alone about the whole thing.

She actually reminds me of one of the mothers of one of our preschool children that I currently teach.

 

[Draka]

She actually reminds me of one of the mothers of one of our preschool children that I currently teach.

I'm sorry

 

[Bishka]

I'm sorry

It's alright. I'll explain a little.

The little boy is a special-needs childl keep in mind, he's about four years of age. An issue he has latley is messing his pants (#2) and then digging through it. As a preschool teacher and child development studier, this is something that is particular disorder has a habit and facination of doing. We understand that we tell him this is not something that is appropriate, we clean him up and redirect him, with love and patience.

We went on a home visit to his house and my supervisor mentioned that, and the mother said "Everytime he does that we PUNISH him. We make him clean it up and then go sit in the corner for 20 minutes." This shocked me. She has a special needs child that doesn't understand and that punishment will not affect, and she does this? And she freaks out at every little thing and belittles him all the time.

 

[Draka]

It's alright. I'll explain a little.

The little boy is a special-needs childl keep in mind, he's about four years of age. An issue he has latley is messing his pants (#2) and then digging through it. As a preschool teacher and child development studier, this is something that is particular disorder has a habit and facination of doing. We understand that we tell him this is not something that is appropriate, we clean him up and redirect him, with love and patience.

We went on a home visit to his house and my supervisor mentioned that, and the mother said "Everytime he does that we PUNISH him. We make him clean it up and then go sit in the corner for 20 minutes." This shocked me. She has a special needs child that doesn't understand and that punishment will not affect, and she does this? And she freaks out at every little thing and belittles him all the time.

And people like this are fine to have children while a person who wants to adopt goes through hell in a handbasket sometimes to even be considered a parent. Makes a whole lot of sense doesn't it?:sarcastic But that is for another thread...don't want to get off topic.

 

[Bishka]

And people like this are fine to have children while a person who wants to adopt goes through hell in a handbasket sometimes to even be considered a parent. Makes a whole lot of sense doesn't it?:sarcastic But that is for another thread...don't want to get off topic.

Couldn't agree more......

 

[Mathematician]

OP

I did the same thing, only I was 14.

Edit- And SHE was 14, too. Phew.

 

[methylatedghosts]

Was shocked for a second there, GeneCosta!

Phew indeed!

But can a 4-yr old molest another?

Tough question indeed.

If this is a result of seeing an adult to the same to another, and it had malicious intent, then maybe the child is repeating what he learnt. Having said that though, it is not molestation in the sense that the child had a maliciouse intent, because it might be what he perceives as a "normal" thing to do. But it could be molestation in the sense of what the "victim" felt as malicious. I think it is a very delicate thing to judge.

If family life for both kids is stable and supportive then whatever "trauma" was perceived would be worked through, and the kids would learn to understand about their bodies and how wonderful and unique they are.

 

[cardero]

We used to call that "playing doctor" and it was seen for what it is -- a natural curiousity about the body differences between boys and girls. And parents explained that it was inappropriate to do that sort of thing and that was the end of it. Honestly!

In Elementary school, I had to close my practice when I discovered that many of my patients couldn't afford the co-pay.

 

[Ðanisty]

There is no "molestation" going on, but the parents need to be quizzed because the children (or at least the one instigating it) are imitating behavior they have seen elsewhere.

I agree there is no intent, the crime is on whoever placed that curiousity in the minds of 4 year olds?

Not necessarily. Children are far more curious than you're giving them credit for.