Over time, masturbation has had different opinions, views, critics and the likes. Some people are of the opinion its a way of life, most young people actually, some others talk on it with disdain and disgust, and some others say its not only wrong its a sin.
Masturbation is the sexual stimulation of one’s own genitals, usually to the point of orgasm This could be done using the hands, fingers, everyday objects, or sex toys. Sometimes it is done with a partner, this is known as MUTUAL MASTURBATION(which could be classified into contact and non-contact mutual masturbation).
Also there’s COMPULSIVE MASTURBATION with no known cause, but this is the most secretive and uncontrollable type of masturbation.
Masturbation is the sexual stimulation of one’s own genitals, usually to the point of orgasm This could be done using the hands, fingers, everyday objects, or sex toys. Sometimes it is done with a partner, this is known as MUTUAL MASTURBATION(which could be classified into contact and non-contact mutual masturbation).
Also there’s COMPULSIVE MASTURBATION with no known cause, but this is the most secretive and uncontrollable type of masturbation.
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The English word masturbation was introduced in the 18th century, based on the Latin verb masturbari, alongside the more technical and slightly earlier onanism. There are others like jerk off (1896) and wank(1948). It was also called self-pollution and self-abuse in early modern times.The question is, are there dangers to masturbation, is it wrong or is it right, what are the advantages and disadvantages of masturbation.
Social attitudes towards masturbation varies in most cultures. There has been an increase in discussion and portrayal of masturbation in television, films and literature. Most religions consider masturbation to be a sin, and in many socially conservative areas the stigma about masturbation is greater, where even discussion of the topic is restricted by social norms. Masturbation is usually done in private, and public masturbation is illegal in most places where it is accepted.
WAYS OF MASTURBATION:
Ways of masturbation common to members of both sexes include rubbing the genital area, it could be with the fingers or against an object such as a pillow inserting fingers or an object into the anus, this is known as anal masturbation and stimulating the penis or vulva with electric vibrators, which may also be inserted into the vagina or anus. Members of both sexes may also enjoy touching, rubbing, or pinching the nipples while masturbating. They may apply lubricating substances to intensify sensation. Also pornography, or sexual fantasies are often used to aid masturbation. Some others recall memories during masturbation. Masturbation activities can be ritualised and various fetishes and paraphilias may play a part. Some potentially harmful or activities include autoerotic asphyxiation(this is the intentional restriction of oxygen from the brain for sexual arousal).
Some people get sexual pleasure by inserting objects, such as urethral sounds, into the urethra (the tube through which urine and, in men, semen, flows), a practice known as urethral play or “sounding”. Other objects such as ball point pens and thermometers are sometimes used, although this practice can lead to injury or infection. Some people masturbate by using machines that simulate intercourse.
In some cases they may masturbate until they are close to orgasm, stop for a while to reduce excitement, and then resume masturbating. They may repeat this cycle multiple times. This is known as edging, and it can help achieve even stronger orgasms Rarely, people quit stimulation just before orgasm to retain the heightened energy that normally comes down after orgasm.
Scientifically there really is nothing wrong with masturbation.
Female masturbation alters conditions in the vagina, cervix and uterus, in ways that can alter the chances of conception from intercourse, depending on the timing of the masturbation. A woman’s orgasm between one minute before and 45 minutes after insemination favors the chances of that sperm reaching her egg. If, for example, she has had intercourse with more than one male, such an orgasm can increase the likelihood of a pregnancy by one of them. It can also provide protection against cervical infections by increasing the acidity of the cervical mucus and by moving debris out of the cervix.
In males, masturbation flushes out old sperm with low motility from the male’s genital tract. The next ejaculate then contains fresher sperm, with higher chances of achieving conception during intercourse. Frequent ejaculation also increases sperm count.
Medically, masturbation is a healthy and psychologically normal habit BUT there could be certain health risks with the way masturbation is practiced.
First let’s see the benefits; -Mutual masturbation is said to help couples enhance their sexual relationship.
-An Australian research team in 2003 led by Graham Giles found that males who masturbate have a lower probability of developing prostate cancer. However this is age related.
-A 2008 study at Tabriz Medical University found ejaculation reduces swollen nasal blood vessels, freeing the airway for normal breathing and this could be done from time to time by masturbation.
-It is said to mentally relieve depression and increase self-esteem.
-Also, it is said to create balance in relationships where one partner wants more sex than the other.
-Research is still being carried on masturbation functioning as a cardiovascular workout.
The risks could include;
-Inserting objects as aid to masturbation risk them becoming stuck. Men and women can fall prey to this problem.
-Masturbation(and even sex) lowers blood pressure.
-Mutual masturbation can transmit STDs if there is contact with bodily fluids.
RELIGIOUS VIEWS
The views vary with different religions.
Some religions view it as a spiritually detrimental practice while others don’t and some others support it if used to control sexual desire or healthy self-exploration and are against it if used otherwise. Below are some religious views from some common religions.
BUDDHISM
Buddhism agrees with contemporary medical opinion that masturbation is a normal expression of the sexual drive and is physically and psychologically harmless, as long as it does not become a preoccupation or a substitute for ordinary sexual relations.
But chinese buddhism is against it. So the view of masturbation in buddhism is described as situational.
CHRISTIANITY
On the matter of masturbation, the Hebrew and Christian Bibles are silent, neither denouncing nor encouraging the practice.
There is no explicit claim in the Bible that masturbation would be sinful, however Leviticus chapter 15 in the Law of Moses states that if any man’s sperm fluid gets released outside of intercourse, then he shall wash all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the evening, The bible mentioned it was unclean but did not specify it was a sin.
CATHOLICISM
The Catholic Church teaches that “Masturbation constitutes a grave moral disorder”.
This is because the deliberate use of the sexual faculty outside of marriage is, according to the teaching of the Church, contrary to its primary purpose of procreation and unification of the husband and wife within the sacrament of marriage.
ADVENTISM
Ellen G. White, one of the founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, in the mid-19th century claimed to have spiritual visions from God that gave her guidance on the Christian life. She warned against overly stimulating foods, sex, and masturbation, which she referred to as “solitary vice.” She warned her followers of her visions of disfigured humans and the consequences of masturbation not only destroying one’s life, but preventing access to Heaven when Jesus comes in the first resurrection. She made claims that masturbation was the cause of many sicknesses in adults from cancer to lung disease. White even stated that masturbation claimed many sinners’ lives prematurely. She believed that one’s diet had a direct correlation with one’s urge to masturbate. She claimed that a healthy diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, wheat breads, and water would lead to a diminished urge to masturbate and thus would lead to a healthier and more fulfilling life. To ultimately produce a guide for future generations she claimed solitary vice was the cause of hereditary insanity, cancer, and other deadly diseases.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that masturbation is a habit that is a “form of uncleanness”, one that “fosters attitudes that can be mentally corrupting”.
ISLAM
Scholars of Islam do not generally approve of masturbation, except in extenuating circumstances.
In Islam, sexual engagement outside of marriage is a major sin, which causes the doer to be punished in this life and in the afterlife (Qiyama). Yet if one’s desire is so overwhelming one might perform a greater wrong by having sex outside marriage, masturbation becomes permissible as a necessity but in that case it will be like eating the flesh of a pig to survive from major hunger or starvation when no other food is available.
But there are other parts of islam religion which is against masturbation, like the shi’a, sunni, and sufi view.
SOCIETY
It varies in different cultures and societies.
LAW
Generally there is no law against masturbation, its even said to help prisoners satisfy their sexual urges but the law discourages public masturbation.
