Intelligent discussion: Masturbation

There were a bunch of other discussions about different things that usually aren't discussed, so I thought I'd bring up this topic for discussion. This is not meant to offend anyone, nor is it meant to be perverse. If you find it either of those, I'm sorry, but please still post your viewpoint. Thank you.

These are a few things that I procured from this site: http://www.afraidtoask.com/masturbate/MedView.htm

THE MEDICAL VIEWPOINT
Despite what many of us may have been told by our parents, teachers, or religious leaders, masturbation does not cause physical injury or harm to the body. We’ve all heard the many myths about masturbation. Here are some of the leading myths:
· Masturbation leads to blindness

· Masturbation causes you to grow hair on the palms of your hands

· Masturbation causes you to become impotent later in life

· Masturbation leads to mental illness

· Masturbation permanently reduces libido, desire, and/or sexual performance

· Masturbation permanently reduces the quantity or quality of semen

We are happy to report that all of these myths and misconceptions have been proven to be false by the medical community. Masters and Johnson who are a team of physicians who pioneered the field of human sexuality, and other researchers have demonstrate no negative short-term or long-term medical health effects from masturbation.

Despite the fact that there are no physical health consequences that may result from the practice of masturbation, there are emotional aspects that should be taken into consideration.

For example, if masturbation occurs within a marriage or relationship between two individuals where self-pleasure takes the place of having sex with a partner, this act could potentially damage the self-esteem of the latter. However, according to Louanne Cole Weston, PhD, a board-certified sex therapist “One lesson of long-term relationships is that both people need not be interested in doing the exact same things at the exact same time – and that includes sex.” If the partners within a relationship are capable of communicating their needs, desires, and expectations with one another, masturbation can then be part of a healthy component of a relationship.

Furthermore, masturbation may have negative social consequences if one becomes preoccupied with self-pleasure to the point that it interferes with one’s job and one’s social relationships. This includes spending excessive time masturbating while failing at attempts to reduce or control these activities resulting in interference with one’s day-to-day life activities.

Masturbation is a considered a natural and safe (both physically and emotionally) way for men and women to express sexuality and may help promote self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-confidence. By exploring one’s own body visually and by touch, this knowledge can be carried over to provide for a stronger and satisfying sexual relationship with one’s partner by opening lines of communication regarding what their body responds to best.

Positives

· May help to reduce stress and release sexual tension

· May help a person become more comfortable with his or her own sexuality

· Masturbation eliminates the potential for pregnancy or transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.

· Being self-aware of one’s body and sexuality may better prepare him/her for sexual activity with a partner.

Negatives

· Frequent and vigorous masturbation may produce skin abrasions or superficial bruising/temporary discoloration.

· Masturbation may become an obsession or addiction.

Masturbation may become an obsession or addiction which is generally felt to be the case if it reduces time available to participate in other activities (i.e. social relationships, job, work). This may lead to diversion of income toward sex merchandises (i.e. videotapes, chat rooms, online pornography, phone chat lines).

I have omitted a few paragraphs that I felt were not pertinent to the topic at hand (pun intended). If you want to see what they are, just visit the link.

Just to make things clear, the purpose of this post is to discuss views on masturbation, not personal masturbation habits (though, if you feel it necessary to get your point across, feel free to use it, just keep it clean).

AHHHHHH!!!!!

JPM: I can't help but wonder, if God kills a kitten everytime someone masturbates, why aren't cats extinct?

we hang in there

JPM - LMFAO :OD ha ha ha ha

Masturbation is good for you, just like everything else is...in moderation of course

Once in a girlfriend/dolly magazine - one of them crappy teen things - it had some girl who wrote in and said that she wanted to masturbate so she put a pen up her vagina and then like ripped it out and it started bleeding - GOING WAY TO FAR - i wouldn't mastubate no matter what anyone says

-Lyd

lol when my brother in law told that to my sister she like freaked out "are you serious?!?!" haha