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Jerking off, wanking, spanking the monkey, choking the purple dinosaur, stroking the magic wand of fulfillment... almost anyone with a reasonable grasp over english can come up with a slang for:



Masturbation

In a particular sketch of the British comedy show 'Monty Python's Flying Circus', a contestant on a game show was to declare that his hobbies included "strangling animals, golf and masturbation". The BBC promptly mandated that the word 'masturbation' be silenced out. During one of the negotiations, one of the Pythons, Eric Idle, reportedly asked the head of the BBC, "Everyone masturbates. Don't you masturbate, sir?". He was not given a response.

That was an ideal episode to highlight the taboo associated with talking about masturbation, and the feeling of concern and guilt associated with the act. And old saying goes, '95% of people masturbate - the other 5% lie about it'.

All over the world, boys and girls, men and women, and even other mammals masturbate from 3-4 times a week to about 3-4 times a day. Most consider it a private affair, while others prefer a mutual act. People either use their hands, accessories, sexual partners or friends to get the act done. Millions of young boys and girls discover the pleasures of their genitilia every year, locking themselves in their rooms or taking too long in the bathroom. Even the most liberal parents sometimes worry, while the child almost always frames an uncomfortable and guilt-ridden view of masturbation in his/her head. All a part of growing up!

Many religions consider masturbation a sinful act. Christianity declares any sexual act outside the bonds of marriage as sinful. A very powerful statement made by St. Thomas Aquinas said that masturbation is worse than rape, since rape is a sin against reason alone, whereas masturbation is against the ways of nature as well as reason. It is but obvious then, that christians feel a sense of guilt while commiting the act. However, the private nature of the act manifests itself as guilt and shame even without religion involved.

The myths associated with masturbation are as interesting as the act itself! Personally, I've heard that you go blind if you masturbate too much, or that you lose your sexual urge. There are many more, some very strange indeed, such as you grow hair on your hands, you become dumber etc. Research indicates of course, that masturbation, even when performed often, is physiologically harmless. It's like a mild excercise, and it's only bane is a temporary drop in energy and hormone levels.

Masturbation hasn't inspired art as much as sex has, I'll admit. However, songs have been sung on it or referencing it, and it of course attracts a lot of humour.

We need to be more open about this act than we are. Everyone does it. EVERYONE! The others are lying :)