Thank you all so much for joining me once again, as we continue this 7-part series on sexuality and self-acceptance.
If you missed the first two installments you can catch them HERE and HERE.
Today's post is more video-centric and deals with the topic of humans pleasuring themselves via self-stimulation and masturbation.
This article will serve as a summary of the video below, as well as provide some notes regarding things I didn't get to in the video, but I think are important or worth mentioning.
Without further ado, let's get to it.
Video Takeaway:
Masturbation is a natural human function which is also found throughout nature in other species. Babies explore their genitals, and this process continues and develops as one gets older.
Masturbation has been documented throughout history for thousands of years. Some cultures have celebrated the practice--even "deified" it--where other cultures have denigrated auto-erotic behavior.
Puritanical/religious/pro-abstinence groups have claimed masturbation is "evil" and/or leads to all sorts of maladies such as poor eyesight, back pain, loss of energy, sexual deviancy, "brain fog," lack of confidence, hairy palms, and even suicidal tendencies. The list goes on. These groups throughout the ages have advocated such strange and extreme measures as genital mutilation, cauterization, chastity belts, "anti-masturbation machines," male circumcision, etc., etc.
Some more "liberal" groups maintain that masturbation, regardless of frequency, has no effect on the human mind/physiology. More moderate schools of thought maintain masturbation is healthy as long as it is not being used as an "escape" from psychological trauma or emotional pain, and/or interfering with one's quality of life, job, relationships, etc.
The "no-fap" movement has advocated partial or complete abstinence from masturbation in the interest of leading a more confident, healthy, focused and productive lifestyle. Though not perfect (indeed I see a severe flaw in this school of thought) this group's philosophy correctly identifies that there are some physiological and psychological effects of "excessive" masturbation.
In the end, what is right for each individual sexually varies, and ultimately it is self-acceptance which results in a healthy and free-flowing sexual expression, and vice versa.
Anti-masturbation machine in Prague.
Extra Notes:
One of my readers asked me to address the modern societal trend of viewing male auto-erotic expression as "dirty," shameful, or comical, while placing female masturbation on a kind of pedestal relative to male masturbation to be viewed generally as "clean," sexy, erotic, and healthy. I think this is a valid point, and may address this later, either in an additional installment, or within the previously established contents framework.
In relation to the note above, I also wanted to highlight a website I found dedicated to male sexuality, which provides various methods of masturbation for males, which I am certain most men probably do not know about due to the amount of societal shame associated with male auto-eroticism. These methods tend to incorporate the whole body, and the exploration of one's own sensual, sexual, and emotional self, instead of simply focusing on "getting off" as quickly as possible. You can find them here:
Image Sources: Wikipedia
It is my sincere hope that you will enjoy this informal talk. What is your take on today's topic? Let me know in the comments section! Here's the vid:
~KafkA
Graham Smith is a Voluntaryist activist, creator, and peaceful parent residing in Niigata City, Japan. He is also the founder of the anarchist intiative "Voluntary Japan." Hit me up so I can stop talking about myself in the third person!