Little Boys exposing themselves

[Gopher5]

I just found out that my 7 (almost 8) year old boy and pulled down my 5 year old sons pants and put his face in his bottom.  When I asked him why he did this, he said he didn't know.  Then I found out that my 7 year old son got an erection during this.  I am mortified.  I only had a sister growing up, so I am not sure if boy's are just curious, but actually putting his face in someone elses butt makes me extremely upset.  I talked with both of my sons in great length (seperately) about this.  My 5 year old said that no one had ever touched his penis or bottom before and that his brother did not touch his penis.  I spoke to my 7 year old and he said that no one (adult or child) has ever touched his penis or asked him to touch theirs.  So where does this come from?  Why would anyone want to do this?  Do I need to do something?   I am very upset and don't know what to do (or not do)?

[911brit]

A related discussion, 6yo son naked wrestling was started.

[Pevensie]

I don't know if your two sons watch wrestling or not, but there is a wrestler who -- as gross as it may be -- forces his opponent's face into his butt... with his clothes on, of course. But, if your boys have seen this wrestling "move", I would not be surprised if that is where your 7 yo son got the idea. I would not be too worried though, I work with boys of that age, and they do a lot of strange things out of curiosity or imitation. If they do watch wrestling, I would curtail it!

[Gopher5]

Thank you for all of the information!  I truly appreciate any help and/or advise given!
THANK YOU!

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Of course when you discover such behavior you are going to be upset - that is a normal parental reaction. And it may well be that your son is being truthful when he tells you he does not know how it happened to occur to him to do this. You asked sensible questions. Now it is important to set a clear, unambiguous limit on this behavior, which I imagine you have already done. Let them both know that this behavior is out of line and that it is not to be repeated. For your younger son, tell him not to cooperate with such requests, whether the request comes from his brother or anyone else. Talk with them about personal privacy as it relates to certain parts of their bodies, buttocks and genitals, and that this privact applies to other people as well.