5 1/ 2 year old son attraction to boys.

My 5 1/2 year old son seems to be attracted to boys.  He plays all the time with his big sister (she is almost 7) and doesn't have many male friends that he plays with, except at school and sometimes my friend's two boys.  He was playing at McDonalds with his sister and then found a little male friend to play with and then didn't want to play with his sister.  He went down the slide with his new little friend, but kind of hugging him sort of when they went down the slide.  When they came down at the botttom of the slide, I was there and he seemed a little embarrassed and I asked him to play also with his sister. He refused and said he wanted to play with the boy.  Later, I asked him that it wasn't nice to not let his sister play with him and he said that he always plays with her and that he wanted to play with the boy and that if his sister played, he would be jelous because he (I asume he meant "he" was the little boy he was playing with) was a boy.  I am sure I am blowing this out of proportion, but wondering if kids at that age show sexuality or understand it.  Could my son be gay?  Is it normal for boys to be "attracted" to boys.    Also, my son has a male cousin and he seems to get so excited when he comes over and he hardly leaves his side and when they eat, my son pulls his chair so he is right beside him.  And he chases him and bothers him and hugs him really hard.

Your input is appreciated.


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[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

This behavior is entirely normal and has nothing to do with sexuality. The use of the tern 'attraction' implies some sort of sexual interest, and this is not relevant. You can be assured your son is acting in precisely the way that would be expected of a child his age.

[P_Lech]

I'm no doctor but I'm a man and was once a boy.  Sounds like your boy is just being a boy...nothing to worry about.  Especially at that age, boys like to play with other boys...the hugging thing shouldn't be of concern until he gets older, like 8-10 and up.

[bread111]

Thank you for your replies.  I know all children are different, but I was concerned about his behaviour.  I am a very "hands on" mom, who  tries to pays a lot of attention to their children -  maybe too much.  I also tend to worry a lot.  If this is normal behaviour, then I need to relax.  Thanks again.

[tejodouro]

Your son is a normal boy.   The reason that he is excited about playing with a boy cousin or otherwise, is because he has a sister and does not get to play with boys as much.  Boys like to play with boys.  By the time boys get to first and second grade, most boys play with boys. If you go to a both sex type school during recess, you will notice that boys are playing with boys and most girls play with girls. That is total normal behavior. I actually would worry if all he wanted to play was with girls. His behavior is very normal. Enjoy him.

[bread111]

I agree with the playing, but I just find that the way my son put his arm around the little boy at McDonald's and how he is very affectionate with his cousin is strange, but I am sure it's normal.  I guess I am just very observant and tend to worry too much and over analyze.  Thank you for your comment.