Masturbation: There is Nothing Wrong With A Little Self -Love Essay

Masturbation is defined as the self-stimulation of the genitals to achieve sexual arousal and pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm/sexual climax (Knowles, 2002). It is a natural process and one of the most common sexual activities that humans take part in. The subject of masturbation has long been a taboo topic and seen is a sin in many Western religious cultures. Because of this, guilt and shame are associated with masturbation. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries many believed masturbation caused illnesses and it was seen as a disease. This has been proven to be untrue and in fact many medical professionals now believe masturbation to be good for a persons physical and sexual health. Masturbation is a natural healthy process and should not be viewed as something sinful and unnatural. Masturbation Masturbation is one of the first sexual experiences a person will have and it usually done by stimulating the penis or clitoris with a hand, fingers or â€Å"sex toys† (Knowles, 2002). Masturbation is way of discovering ones sexual â€Å"potential† and is done for various reasons. Some people may masturbate to relieve sexual tension, to help them fall asleep, or as a safe sex alternative just to name a few. It begins as early as infancy and can continue into adulthood with varying frequency, with or with out a partner but is not considered a substitute for sex, merely a variation. Masturbation â€Å"does not cause any physical injury or harm to the body, and can be performed in moderation throughout a person's lifetime as a part of normal sexual behavior† (Knowles, 2002). The Hate Masturbation has been viewed as a shameful act â€Å"having pathological origins and negative physical and mental health consequences†(Knowles, 2002). T... ...d Johnson on Sex and Human Loving. Boston, MA: Little, Brown and Company. Moglia, Ronald Filiberti, and Jon Knowles, eds. (1997). All About Sex: A Family Resource on Sex and Sexuality. New York, NY: Three Rivers Press. Mosher, Donald L., and Susan G. Vonderheide. (1985). " Contributions of Sex Guilt and Masturbation Guilt to Women's Contraceptive Attitudes and Use." The Journal of Sex Research, 21(1), 2439. National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior (NSSHB). Findings from the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior, Centre for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University. Journal of Sexual Medicine, Vol. 7, Supplement 5. Rowan, Edward L. (2000). The Joy of SelfPleasuring. New York, NY: Prometheus Books. Yarber, W. L., Sayad, B. J., & Strong, B. (2010). Human sexuality: diversity in contemporary America (7th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.