Why don't parents teach their kids the proper names for their body parts?

Question

It's been my observation that too many parents who use "cute" names never get around to teaching them the right names.

Answer 1

Stupid, huh? My kids know and use the words p***s and v****a. I think it sounds rediculous to give them strange names. If you call a nose "nose", why is it so hard to not call a p***s a "p***s"?

Answer 2

Well, I would think its mostly to do with society. If a 2 year old who, lets say, goes to daycare learns for the first time that the long thing on her face is her nose and goes around saying 'nose nose nose' all day and pointing to it I would think she would get some smiles, encouragement and maybe some questions about what other parts were. Same situtuation except now she's walking around saying 'v****a v****a v****a' and pointing between her legs. I can gaurentee she would not get the same "aww" or "thats right, good girl!" response that she got with the nose.

Perfect example, my daughter (for some reason...I have no idea why?) seems to be extremely interested in nipples right now. Everytime her or her fathers shirt is off shes pointin at the nipples. I have told her they are nipples (along with her bellybutton, elbows....and anything else she points at) and my MIL heard this and was shocked that I would use the word nipple with her. Now my daughters not talking yet, but when she does I'm sure things like that will raise a few eyebrows and maybe get her into trouble. I personally am OK with that, she will eventually learn (be taught) that she shouldn't talk about 'those parts' with everyone but that its ok with mommy or daddy (and aparently not ok with grandma!) which really...we are the important ones who she should be 'open' with anyways.  

Just because I'm ok with her being embarassed about it in public (daycare, strangers etc) a few times before she 'gets' that its not deemed as acceptable converstation doesn't mean that every parent would be. Many I'm sure, would try to avoid it at all costs (especially if they themselves would be embarassed also) and hey...thats up to them...teach them a cute name for it if ya want. Thats my theory anyways.

Answer 3

It's actually quite dangerous not to.

My daughter was sexually molested at a daycare, by another boy, and she told us right away.  My doctor said the only reason he thinks she did so is because we have taught her the proper names for her anatomy and the anatomy of the opposite s*x.  Not only informing her of what things are called, but removing all embarrassment of the subject by being completely honest with her and not acting like her v****a is something to be ashamed of.  Part of the population has a v****a, the other part has a p***s, it's not that terribly sacred since every one of us has one or the other.

Answer 4

They probably are uncomfortable to talk about that stuff. They think that talking about those thing are not good for their "little ears". But it is recommended that people do teach their kids that. I will when I have kids. :)

Answer 5

I DON'T THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH GIVING YOUR KIDS PARTS NICKNAMES.  MY SON CALLS HIS PEEPIN. HE KNOWS ITS A p***s. IT'S NOT THAT I AM UNCOMFORTABLE WITH SAYING p***s OR v****a, WHY WOULD I BE, EVERYONES GOT THEM, I JUST DON'T WANT MY SON GOING AROUND SAYING p***s AND v****a WHILE HE IS AT HIS DAYCARE AROUND OTHER LITTLE KIDS. WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?

Answer 6

I know! We have such hang-ups about these things. My mother taught me the proper names as well as some slang words from an early age that way I'd know the difference.

Answer 7

Oh because now my 8 year old nephew swears his sister has a p***s (though he knows he has one too) and his brother has a v****a.  He thinks it's hilarious to announce this when I'm on the phone.

Answer 8

Because as a society we have turned anything to do with sexuality into a bad thing. Many people would die of shock if they heard a child say the word p***s or v****a. We have strived to become so politically correct that many people are afraid or embarassed to discuss s*x and body parts much less actually teach their children to use those words.

Answer 9

I did - I don't know why others don't - maybe they aren't comfortable talking about that kind of stuff.

Answer 10

they are probably unforfotable talking about it.

I learned the right words,

but i learned at daycare.

Answer 11

because people enjoy talking down to their children and think it's cute when the children babble back, and then wonder why their kid is in kindergarten for the third time.  i don't believe in baby talk, and all my nieces and nephews have a much better vocabulary as a result.

Answer 12

i tought my daughter all of her body parts, and i call her pee-pee her pee-pee, she can learn that its her v****a when shes a little bigger or she can call it her pee-pee. nothing wrong with that. she knew her body parts by 17 months (all of them) and i think calling it a pee-pee is fine, thats what it is. i dont go around using the word v****a or p***s all the time and i see no reason for my child, who calls out her body parts all the time to say them that way either. i think its fine.