Despite research showing that approximately 60% of women and 80% of men admit to masturbating regularly, sociologists point out that around half of them feel ashamed to discuss it. With such a prevalent behavior, why does the taboo surrounding masturbation still exist in today's society? Let's delve into the history and scientific perspectives on this matter.
Ancient Autoeroticism: The Pharaohs and the Roots of Condemnation
Costantino Cipolla, a professor at the University of Bologna, explains that the condemnation of masturbation has ancient origins. Prehistoric cave paintings depict the act of masturbation, indicating that it has been a part of human behavior for millennia. Interestingly, in ancient Egypt, autoeroticism was considered an essential part of creation and fertility. Pharaohs even masturbated during ceremonies on the banks of the Nile as a symbolic act of fertility.
In the ancient world, masturbation was considered a natural act. However, the perceptions shifted when Christianity emerged, labeling masturbation as a sin that "prevented the generation of life." This notion transformed pleasure into an offense against God, and the act was deemed "unnatural." Medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas ranked this sin second only to murder, warranting a year of fasting on bread and water as punishment. Over time, the condemnation of masturbation intensified, extending to thoughts and heightened vigilance in religious settings.
The Lingering Effects of Repressive Views and Medical Prejudices
The Western world's views on masturbation continue to be influenced by centuries of repression. Adding to the stigma were medical prejudices that emerged in the past few centuries. Swiss physician Samuel August Tissot's influential work, De l'Onanisme (1760), attributed numerous diseases to the "impure vice" of masturbation, including blindness, gout, epilepsy, and madness.
In response, medical professionals and educators advocated for harsh measures to suppress the "scourge." 19th-century clinical sexologist Giorgio Rifelli suggested that parents should inspect bedrooms and bedding abruptly, while more extreme cases warranted the use of a serrated metal ring called a jugum penis to deter unwanted erections. German psychiatrist Richard von Krafft-Ebing, the author of Psychopathia Sexualis (1886), even prescribed cauterization of the clitoris with red-hot irons for "incurable onanists."
1972: A New Era for Masturbation as a "Normal Act"
The revolutionary shift in the perception of masturbation occurred during the 1940s-1950s with the groundbreaking "Kinsey Report," a survey on American sexuality. The study revealed that 94% of men and 58% of women engaged in autoeroticism, challenging traditional views. In 1972, following feminist movements, the American Medical Association acknowledged masturbation as a "normal" act.
However, social taboos surrounding masturbation persist, particularly for women. Sociologist Cirus Rinaldi explains that while male autoeroticism is seen as a sign of sexual potency, female autoeroticism is often viewed as perversion or sexual indulgence. Despite progressive attitudes, societal pressure still assigns women a passive, rather than active, sexual role.
Masturbation: Immature Sexuality or Dissatisfaction?
The stigma surrounding "lonely love" is the primary source of this social taboo. Autoeroticism represents self-sufficiency in sexual pleasure, which is often interpreted as a signal of inner isolation and an indication of immature sexuality or dissatisfaction. However, reality suggests otherwise.
Recent research highlights the extension of the age range in which masturbation is practiced, as well as the diverse range of fantasies accompanying the act, often fueled by online pornography.
The Science Behind Masturbation: Benefits and Insights
Masturbation, when not obsessive, can contribute to psychosexual development and the discovery of personal pleasure mechanisms, according to Roberta Giommi, director of the International Institute of Sexology in Florence. Surprisingly, scientific findings reveal that autoeroticism has health benefits, including the release of endorphins, oxytocin, and cortisol, which aid the immune system; prevention of type 2 diabetes; and improved sperm quality.
A 2017 study by Spanish gynecologists Vanesa RodrÃguez Fernández and Carlos López Ramón y Cajal even found evidence of autoeroticism in fetuses. Additionally, British evolutionary scholars Robin Baker and Mark Bellis suggest that frequent male autoerotic acts serve an evolutionary purpose, as they "remove old sperm from the reproductive system, accelerating its turnover and thus offering a greater likelihood for conception."
The real concern lies elsewhere: the cultural and social silence surrounding masturbation could perpetuate sexual repression. This may lead to feelings of shame and guilt, hindering individuals from embracing their sexuality in a healthy manner as adults. In an effort to break this taboo, the World Health Organization (WHO) distributed the "Standards of Sex Education in Europe" guide to all European governments in 2013. This encourages the inclusion of sexology courses in schools, allowing children and teenagers to become familiar with concepts of pleasure without causing parental concern or being misconstrued as early sexual signals. However, due to centuries of ingrained taboos, this message still faces challenges in gaining widespread acceptance.
Post a Comment