What's So Wrong with It?

By, Devin

For some it is an enjoyable pastime; for others it is completely forbidden. This topic may make you turn red, fall out and crack up with laughter, or it just might make you utterly uncomfortable. Yes folks, I'm talking about masturbation. It's OK; laugh it off. It's not an easy topic to talk about, since it seems to stir up feelings in people. Usually people can't take seriously a discussion about masturbation. You can laugh all you’d like; laughs and giggles are good—it’s a coping mechanism for people when they are feeling uneasy. But laughing or not, it is important to talk about masturbation. Talking about it can make life a whole lot easier. This may sound a little outlandish, but just hear me out.

For starters, talking about it can address misconceptions teetering around the subject. Growing up, I sometimes heard people say it was a health hazard to masturbate. The idea that masturbation can harm your health is a scary thing to hear while growing up. The negative health effects I’ve heard masturbation can cause include blindness, a weakened immune system, and hair growth on the palms. But I have yet to meet someone who has experienced any of those negative consequences as a result of masturbation.

I asked a couple of people I know, including my brother who is a health teacher, my human sexuality professor (also a sex therapist) and a couple of my friends: “what are the positives of masturbation?” They came up with just about the same responses. They all said that masturbation is an outlet for sexual frustrations and for stress. My professor said that if women masturbate during their menstrual cycle, it can alleviate menstrual cramp pain. To me, the most recognizable advantage about masturbation is that masturbating is a safe way to release sexual tension – there is no possibility of contracting a sexually transmitted infection.

Masturbation can also help you learn what you enjoy sexually, so that with partners, you can be assertive about your needs, likes, and dislikes – including voicing your insistence on safer sex.

Some are uncomfortable with masturbation, while others believe it is morally wrong to masturbate. The latter can contribute to the myths and stigma around masturbation. We all need to ask ourselves, “What is so wrong about exploring our own bodies, and our sexual selves, alone?” We also need to know that we are normal if we do it and normal if we don’t.

Educating people on masturbation, although it feels weird doing so, is clearly needed so that young people do not grow up thinking they are bad for masturbating. Aside from pointing out the positives, we can talk about issues like appropriate times and places, privacy, and safety. We can impart knowledge, as well as normalize discussions of safe and healthy sexuality. Masturbation is not unhealthy and has many positive effects – so talk about the topic and dispel the myths!