Self pleasure: Part 1
For centuries, self pleasure was considered sinful. Sexual desire was the original sin and any sex that occurred outside of intentional baby making was shameful. In the medical world of the 18th century, masturbation was thought to cause an abundance of medical issues. From poor eyesight or blindness, to stunted growth, lower fertility, memory loss, epilepsy, acne, paleness, hair growth on your palms, heart palpitations, convulsions, even bad posture! In other words, they managed to blame virtually anything and everything on the sin of self pleasure.
If someone told you that every time you go camping you would get attacked by a bear or, at the very least, get a rash from poison ivy, you probably wouldn’t be in a huge rush to go. While we know that is not true, and would laugh at the idea that masturbation could somehow make you go blind, many of those feelings of shame, guilt or fear around masturbation still exist.
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Many of these misconceptions and taboos about masturbation arise from the influence of popular media.”
In mainstream North American movies that depict masterbation most of the experiences are shown to be neither pleasurable nor satisfying. In addition, even though research has indicated that masturbation is common among individuals of all ages, both single and in satisfying relationships, most of the characters in these films are portrayed as being sexually frustrated and unfulfilled.
Would you want to go hiking if every time you saw it in a movie they implied it was only for sad, lonely people? “Oh no, I don’t need to hike, I have a partner.” That’s ridiculous! Hiking (*ahem masturbation) is not only great for your health but is in no way an indication that you’re an unhappy person or in an unsuccessful relationship, it just means that you enjoy hiking.
When mainstream media sources feed ideas that masturbation is only performed by desperate, sad people who can’t find or maintain relationships, it not only reinforces the idea that it is some kind of taboo or shameful act, but that in order to be fulfilled you need to be in a successful relationship. The truth is, people of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, and relationship statuses masturbate and are happier for it.
So what are some of the benefits of self pleasure?
Relief from menstrual cramps
Relaxation
Increases the ability or ease of orgasms
Enhances sex with partners
Builds knowledge and improves sexual communication
Releases endorphins to help alleviate depression and anxiety
Improve sexual self esteem and body image
Those are just a few of the awesome benefits of self-pleasure. Surveys indicate that most people have masturbated at some time in their lives, and when you understand the many benefits to your emotional and overall health, it makes sense!
REFERENCES
Madanikia, Y., Bartholomew, K., & Cytrynbaum, J. (2013). Depiction of masterbation in North American movies. Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 22(2), 106-111.
Bullough, V. L. (2002). Masterbation: A historical overview. Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality, 14 (2-3), 17-33.
Guttmann, P. (2006). About confusions of the mind due to abnormal conditions of the sexual organs. History of Psychiatry, 17(1), 107-111.
Polanski, D. C. (2006). The big book of masturbation: From angst to zeal. Journal of Sex & Marriage Therapy. 32(1), 75-78.
Planned Parenthood (2022). Is masturbation healthy? Planned Parenthood. www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sex-pleasure-and-sexual-dysfunction/masturbation/masturbation-healthy
Rathus, S. A., Nevid, J. S., Fichner-Rathus, L., McKay, A., Milhausen, R. (2020). Human sexuality in a world of diversity (5th Canadian ed.). Toronto, ON: Pearson Canada Inc.