The stigma of self-pleasure

The stigma of self-pleasure

Experts challenge preconceptions of masturbation acts

By Princeton Kim

While many students feel uncomfortable expressing certain
aspects of their sex life, behavior researchers find that non-human
primates exhibit their sexual practices freely.

More specifically, masturbation in non-human primate cultures is
used openly as a social tool for interaction or self-satisfaction
by both genders, psychologists say.

Scientists maintain masturbation promotes psychological
well-being, and students around the UCLA campus say they agree. But
social stereotypes regarding self-pleasure make the topic ­
and the activity ­ taboo.

"Primates masturbate as a social release. Some species of
monkeys even masturbate others to perhaps calm tensions or they may
self-masturbate to relieve themselves," said Steve Pinkerton, a
UCLA psychology doctoral candidate.

Scientists stress that masturbation is a very natural activity
and by no means restricted to human beings. The lack of open sexual
expression in Western civilization is due in part to social,
cultural and religious factors, researchers said.

And many students echo the scientists’ statements.

"People have a belief that (masturbation) is sick and unnatural.
But I think it’s something that everyone naturally does, and for
some people it’s a way to release frustration," said Scott
Cwiertny, a first-year music student.

Even today, students say, the connotation exists that
masturbation is a perverted act performed by sexual deviants.

"I’ve been taught by my religion and society that masturbation
is wrong. I was told that it is not sexuality as God had planned
it," Cwiertny commented.

Further examination of their sexuality has led many students to
evaluate the nature of social, cultural and religious
pressures.

"I think a lot of people do it but don’t admit it. But I don’t
see anything wrong with it. Some people do think that type of
sexual exploration is wrong because society views those who
masturbate as freaks or weirdos with some kind of problem," said
Anthony Glowacki, a first-year undeclared student.

"People are led to believe that sexuality is wrong. Masturbation
is condemned and hidden from the public because of how society
views them. Personally, I don’t believe that it is wrong. It’s just
these perceptions which make people believe there is something
unnatural about it," agreed Asuka Hashimoto, a fourth-year
political science/ Asian American studies student.

Research-ers studying non-human primates have found masturbation
has other functions. Primates often treat masturbation as a social,
as well as personal activity that is performed naturally.

Scientists make the point that since masturbation is prevalent
and acceptable among animals, social mores are what condemn the
practice as unusual.

"Non-human primates relate masturbation to a broader spectrum of
socially acceptable motivations since the weight of culture,
society and perhaps religion are not present to encourage the
condemnation of sexual self-satisfaction," stated the Archives of
Sexual Behavior journal in 1993.

Today, researchers travel beyond the limits of social
acceptability and find that not only is masturbation beneficial,
but that it is natural for humans as well.

"Masturbation is critical to human sexuality. And there are no
inherent physical or psychological repercussions whatsoever,
associated with masturbation," said psychology professor Paul
Abramson.

Other specialists agree.

"The only possible consequences of masturbation are
human-induced. For example, masturbation becomes a problem if it is
a person’s only sexual outlet because feelings of guilt or shame
may arise from these practices," added Pinkerton.

Researchers have also examined how these social pressures cause
both genders to express their autoerotic practices differently.

"The difference in the number of men and women who masturbate
are usually considered to be consequences of the different messages
about sex conveyed to men and women in our culture," according to
the Archives of Sexual Behavior journal.

Many scientists and students concede the pressures of society
and culture weigh heavily upon one’s open expression of
masturbating, regardless of its natural background. However,
researchers have also inquired about a biological reason for the
gender gap in autoerotic practices.

"Surveys of sexual behavior conducted in the U.S. have
consistently found that a much higher percentage of men report that
they masturbate than do women," said psychologist Warren
Gagaille.

Some experts believe that the anatomical differences among
genders, along with the double standard for females in society,
have led to greater male sexual awareness.

The presence of an erect penis is said to be a more obvious sign
of arousal than vaginal secretions, thus leading adolescent males
to explore their sexuality earlier and more openly, psychologists
said.

"The anatomical signs of sexuality in males is much more
prevalent than those experienced by females. This allows males to
become aware of their bodies and sexual stimulation before most
females," Gagaille said.

"Yet these biological reasons work in concert with the
socialization process of females in society. Women have been
conditioned to associate sex with romance and emotional intimacy.
To be interested in (masturbation) and sexual practices for
physical gratification is supposedly wrong in society," Gagaille
added.

But many noted psychologists have begun to counter traditional
stereotypes by publicizing the benefits of masturbation for both
men and women.

"Masturbation is healthy and beneficial in providing means for
learning about an individual’s body and sexual responses and
correlates positively with later sexual response with a partner. It
is a normal sexual activity," stated sex researchers Masters and
Johnson.