X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parenting & Play by Friso
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-schooler
    • Kids
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • Money Parenting
    • Tips for Parents
    • Tips for Toddlers
    • Tips for Older Kids
    • The 5 Personas
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

How to Explain Male Private Parts to Your Daughter

4 min read
How to Explain Male Private Parts to Your DaughterHow to Explain Male Private Parts to Your Daughter

One day she's going to ask you. So it's best you are prepared...

I am quite used to seeing male private parts around me. I know what you’re thinking, but please don’t get me wrong. I’m simply a mother of two little boys.

During my time as a mum of boys, I’ve curiously realised there’s something quite fascinating about male private parts to their owners. My boys will hold onto their willies like they’re going to fall off, whether they’re stressed, happy, sad or merely want to go to the loo. 

With no regard for decorum, they’ll scratch or clutch their crown jewels while eating their meals or watching TV. They don’t need an occasion (like bath time) to get naked and prance about.

In a nutshell: Male private parts should be renamed “male public parts”. 

All this public sharing of what should be private got me thinking: How should mothers of girls explain male private parts to their daughters? Because eventually, you know, your little girl is going to ask you about them. She might see daddy changing. Or her baby brother having a bath. And questions will be asked. 

So, instead of blushing and mumbling untruths (and wishing the earth would open up and swallow you), as a mum of sons, here’s how I suggest you go about it in a logical, rational and truthful manner.  

male private parts

Be honest and truthful with your daughter, and you’ll be rewarded with open communication channels with her.

Explaining Male Private Parts to Your Daughters: Tips for the Uninitiated

1. Don’t make it into a big deal

The same way you explain the anatomy and function of your daughter’s vagina to her, you can also talk about the function of a penis, if and when asked.  

Depending on your daughter’s age, you can do this with less, or more detail. The older your daughter is, the more detail you could go into. Remember that it’s never to do with inappropriateness, because a parent educating their daughter about the human anatomy is perfectly fine. It’s just that a younger child won’t understand a more complex explanation. 

2. Use the right terms

Girls have a vagina, boys have a penis – it’s as simple as that. By avoiding the use of “cutesy” names like “wee wee”, you’re teaching your daughter that there’s no shame in having an honest, open discussion about genitalia.

It’s part of human anatomy, after all. But more importantly, you’re helping your girl protect herself from sexual predators with the ability to correctly name body parts. 

This is because potential predators might back off a child who uses the right names for body parts, assuming that they will be equally comfortable with telling their parents if molestation happens. 

3. Penis and vagina: Same but different

One way to break the awkwardness is to tell your daughter that the penis to a boy is what the vagina is to a girl. It’s one way of telling a boy and girl apart. Again, the two main functions of a penis can be explained based on your daughter’s age and level of comprehension. 

4. Avoid being too formal

If you make it into a “serious discussion” you could potentially make it embarrassing for your daughter. You see, explaining about male private parts to your girl is more than just educating her about the biological purpose and function of a body part. It also opens the door later to an honest, open sex-ed discussion. So keep the tone light and informative, and keep those communication channels wide open. 

5. Tell her penises are also private parts

Just like she has her own private parts, so do boys. Remind her that just because she’s learned about what they are, that she shouldn’t got to school the next day and ask to see or touch a boy’s penis. Neither should she be forced to see or touch one. And here, you can even continue the discussion to “good touch, bad touch”, where a child is taught the difference between the two in order to protect herself from molesters. 

So, if you’re ever asked a “penis question” by your girl, I hope these tips help you tackle it gracefully. Do remember to watch for cues that show your daughter is uncomfortable. If she is, stop the conversation. There will be more questions in the future and you can always answer them then. 

 

Partner Stories
Welcoming a Newborn 101: 4 Handy Tips that All New Dads Should Know
Welcoming a Newborn 101: 4 Handy Tips that All New Dads Should Know
Conceiving In The New Normal: Your Ultimate Guide To Successful Pregnancy
Conceiving In The New Normal: Your Ultimate Guide To Successful Pregnancy
3 things you should do now if you’re trying to conceive naturally
3 things you should do now if you’re trying to conceive naturally
Reducing The Risk Of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: What You Should Know
Reducing The Risk Of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: What You Should Know

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

ddc-calendar
Get ready for the baby’s arrival by adding your due date.
OR
Calculate your due date
img
Written by

Nalika Unantenne

  • Home
  • /
  • Girls
  • /
  • How to Explain Male Private Parts to Your Daughter
Share:
  • Why You Should Call Your Child's Private Parts by Their Actual Names

    Why You Should Call Your Child's Private Parts by Their Actual Names

  • Talking to your kids about their private parts - important do's and don'ts!

    Talking to your kids about their private parts - important do's and don'ts!

  • "It was like a bad movie." Family of 5 Jumps Off From Their Apartment in Switzerland

    "It was like a bad movie." Family of 5 Jumps Off From Their Apartment in Switzerland

  • Why it's getting harder to keep baby safe in this world

    Why it's getting harder to keep baby safe in this world

app info
get app banner
  • Why You Should Call Your Child's Private Parts by Their Actual Names

    Why You Should Call Your Child's Private Parts by Their Actual Names

  • Talking to your kids about their private parts - important do's and don'ts!

    Talking to your kids about their private parts - important do's and don'ts!

  • "It was like a bad movie." Family of 5 Jumps Off From Their Apartment in Switzerland

    "It was like a bad movie." Family of 5 Jumps Off From Their Apartment in Switzerland

  • Why it's getting harder to keep baby safe in this world

    Why it's getting harder to keep baby safe in this world

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2022. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and updates on pregnancy.