Masturbation

MASTURBATION


The word masturbation is derived from the Latin verb masturbare: to defile by hand or to disturb by hand (i.e., manus: hand + either stuprare: to defile, or turbare: to disturb). The term was introduced into the English language only about 200 years ago. Before that time, people apparently used less definite references and descriptions, such as "youthful passions" or "solitary pleasures". Today, however, the word "masturbation" has become part of most European languages, and in professional textbooks it has replaced all other expressions. Under the circumstances, we have no choice but to follow the common usage in the present book.


Still, it is important to realize that the term is actually quite imprecise and misleading because both males and females can masturbate without using any hands. Therefore, when modern sex researchers speak of masturbation, they refer to "any deliberate bodily self-stimulation that produces a sexual response." Such deliberate stimulation can take many different forms. In a great number of cases, of course, the hands are indeed used. Thus, males may fondle, rub, or stroke their penis with their hands until they reach orgasm. At the same time, they may also use one hand to manipulate other erogenous zones of the body. For instance, in order to increase their overall sexual arousal, they may touch and lift their scrotum, or insert a finger into their anus. There are even some very rare cases in which men insert a solid object, such as a wire, into their urethra for stimulation. (It goes without saying that this latter practice is painful and potentially dangerous.) Recently some mechanical and even electric male masturbation aids (Accu-Jac) have appeared on the market. These gadgets, which apply some rhythmic air suction to the penis, may have a certain therapeutic use for physically handicapped men. However, otherwise they do not seem to offer any advantages over more "traditional" forms of masturbation. They are also rather expensive.


Females may also use one or both hands to masturbate. Most often they manipulate the entire vulva, or gently stroke the shaft of the clitoris and the minor lips (labia minora). Some women simultaneously play with the nipples of their breasts, and, in some cases, this breast stimulation alone may lead to orgasm.


Instead of using their hands, both males and females may also simply rub their sex organs against some object, such as a pillow, a towel, the bed cover, or the mattress. Indeed, some females reach orgasm by riding a bicycle. Many females can also masturbate by crossing their legs or pressing them together while moving rhythmically back and forth. In certain instances, rhythmic muscular tension alone is sufficient to produce an orgasm.


Many men imagine that women insert their fingers or some cylindrical object into the vagina when they masturbate. However, only relatively few women ever do so. There is almost no sensation in the vagina itself because its walls contain hardly any nerve endings. Instead, the most sensitive and excitable female organs are the clitoris and the minor lips. Thus, women may, on occasion, insert a finger into the vaginal opening in order to gain a firm hold for the rest of the hand which then stimulates the external sex organs.


Those women who insert various objects deep into the vagina often do so only to please and entertain men. The objects used for this purpose are usually simple household items, such as candles, cucumbers, or bananas. However, today there are also special masturbation aids on the market. The most common of these is the artificial penis, also known as a dildo (probably from the Italian diletto: delight). Dildos are made of wood, rubber, or plastic, and some of them can even be filled with warm liquid which, when suddenly released, simulates an ejaculation. Furthermore, in recent years penis-shaped electric vibrators have appeared in many American drugstores. The Japanese have developed still another device called ben-wa or rin-no-tama. It consists of two hollow metal balls, one of which contains a smaller ball of lead or mercury. The two balls are introduced into the vagina and held in place by a tampon. The woman's normal bodily movements then cause the balls to click together and to send pleasant vibrations through her entire pelvic region. It is doubtful, however, whether they can cause much sexual arousal or lead to orgasm. They never touch the clitoris at all, and the vagina itself contains virtually no nerve endings. Only its outer third (the so-called orgasmic platform) narrows in response to sexual stimulation.


Finally, there are also some electric vibrators or massagers which are meant to be used on the female external sex organs. Such a vibrator usually consists of a small electric motor which is encased in plastic and which is equipped with a vibrating rubber cup. The cup is placed near the clitoris and the vaginal opening where it provides a much more effective sexual stimulation than could be achieved by vaginal insertions. (For details, see "Sexual Dysfunction in Women—Absence of Orgasm.")


Both males and females may learn to masturbate all by themselves while still in their infancy. As they play with their sex organs, they may discover some plesurable feeling and then simply try to repeat the experience. However, in most cases, conscious and regular masturbation does not begin until adolescence. Boys are often taught how to masturbate by other boys, or they hear about it in their conversations. Since boys seem to discuss sexual matters much more openly than girls, they usually obtain more sex information at an earlier age. In contrast, girls are more likely to discover masturbation alone and by accident. Some of them are introduced to it through "petting" with a boy, and others read about it in books or magazines. There are even cases of girls who masturbate for years before they realize what they are doing.


In many popular sex guides (and even in some medical textbooks), masturbation is seen almost exclusively as an adolescent activity. In actual fact, however, it is also practiced by many adults, including married couples. Particularly older men and women may find themselves regaining great interest in masturbation when they live alone, or when their partners are sick, weak, or unavailable for some other reason. In these and many other cases, masturbation can be a very satisfying substitute for sexual intercourse which relieves tension, exercises the body, stimulates the imagination, and keeps the sexual capacities alive.


Still, generally speaking, in our society only the better-educated adults seem to take full advantage of the possibilities of masturbation. Many people at lower educational levels apparently stop masturbating at some time in late adolescence because they consider all sexual practices other than coitus to be childish, improper, immoral, or even unhealthy. High school and college graduates, on the other hand, usually know that masturbation is no danger to health, and they may, in fact, view it as useful and therapeutic. Moreover, a well-educated person normally also cherishes the sexual fantasies which can make the experience more rewarding.


We know that for many teenagers in our culture masturbation is the most common or even the only sexual outlet. However, this does not mean that it is typical for the earlier phases of human sexual development and that it is "appropriate" only during adolescence. It simply means that adolescents do not have sufficient opportunity for sexual intercourse. Adults who masturbate when they cannot find a sexual partner have no reason to feel that they are "immature".


 

[Title Page] [Contents] [Preface] [Introduction] [The Human Body] [Sexual Behavior] [Development of Behavior] [Types of Activity] [Sexual Maladjustment] [Sex and Society] [Epilogue] [Sexual Slang Glossary] [Sex Education Test] [Picture Credits]