When we are born as babies, we want to be touched, stroked, kissed and held. This tells the little creatures that they are loved and safe. From day one, the various physical touches from close caregivers begin. In connection with changing diapers, this also includes touching the genitals. Even then, our brain makes connections about how our genitals are evaluated:

How does the person react when they see the genitals?

What is the facial expression?

How is the genital touched?

What words accompany the changing procedure?

In any case, even babies perceive these subtleties. When it comes to language acquisition later, the connotation flows into the naming of the gender.

"Schnäggli, Schätzli, Löchli, Pippi, Puller, Fifi, Scheide, Mumu" (I could go on with this list forever...!) are terms that small children have in their vocabulary when they talk about their genitals. Diminutives, sometimes also derogatory and absurd terms that characterize a "first meeting". What will their relationship to their own genitals be like when they are adults? Will they still talk about "Schnäggli" or "Pipi"? Do we want that?

As a mother and sexologist, I would like to encourage all parents to name their children's genitals as follows: VULVA and PENIS. Ultimately, it is not only parents who are involved in this naming process, but also teachers, educators, specialists, etc.

Many parents find this too "out of touch" or too "adult". But my experience in sexology is that even adults still say "Mumu" or "Pfifli". How this name affects our perception of our own body, our gender identity and ultimately our perception as a sexual being is something I see in my practice in Basel. Many people do not know their genitals - they have little or no connection to them! This also has an impact on our sex life.

In any case, this is not only due to the naming of their genitals, but also how they were able to build a relationship with themselves and their bodies. Our language influences how we think, how we feel and ultimately how we are.

That's why I want to encourage people to look at your genitals in the mirror, greet them, touch them in a variety of ways and play with them (with or without a sex toy)! Get to know your genitals! Because that's how you find out what you like, what you find arousing, what you find satisfying and beautiful when having sex with yourself or with other people.

The relationship to one's own gender strengthens people as a whole and promotes a self-determined, free and holistic perception of the whole body!