Truth be told, it does take two to tango. Now, sex may share some of the same erotic qualities of the tango; however, one of the beautiful things about sex is that it can be enjoyed like the fine game of solitaire — alone. Masturbation is one of the greatest activities known to man … and woman.
“Beating around the bush” can be done just about anywhere and anytime, though I might suggest doing so in privacy. You don’t have to take yourself on a date to score or worry about whether you say something stupid to yourself. The best part is that when you are done, it’s over, and you don’t have to feel guilty about going straight to sleep.
Playing with oneself is not only an easy way to take care of sexual urges, but is also a way to become more comfortable with your body, which in turn helps to better your sex life.
It seems safe to say that most people would prefer to have company on the road to sexual pleasure, but there are many reasons to spank the monkey or bury the knuckles clit-deep. Whether it is out of boredom, sexual desire or the need for a study break, masturbation is always an option because you always have the people and materials necessary. The question is not so much why should I masturbate, but rather, why not?
Unfortunately, there are many people who think, mistakenly, that masturbation is unhealthy or wrong. Contrary to these beliefs, masturbation is in fact a very healthy part of sexuality. This doesn’t mean that masturbation is necessary for sexual health, as there are some people who simply don’t enjoy it enough to practice it.
Despite some of the rumors you may have heard, masturbation will not make you go blind. On the contrary, I believe it helps you see better in the sense that “flogging the dolphin” or “applying lip gloss” (for the ladies) allows one to discover his or her body and which parts of it feel nice to the touch.
In general, there is a notable difference in opinion about masturbation between men and women. Surveys tell us that fewer women admit to masturbating than men. However, I think that as some of the outdated and incorrect views of masturbation as being unhealthy diminish, the acceptance of masturbation among both men and women will continue to rise. Accepting masturbation and learning to appreciate it depend, of course, on the individual. I guess it’s a case of different strokes for different folks.
Most people assume that all guys masturbate, and if they say any differently, they are lying — which may not be far from the truth. Though fewer girls admit to masturbating, out of the five girls I spoke with, three masturbate regularly at varying frequencies. The other two who I talked to claimed to have tried it but prefer “the touch of a man.”
Men also seem to differ from women in their vehicles of arousal for masturbation. Opposed to the majority of women who rely more on fantasy or imagination to set the mood, most men prefer a visual aid such as a magazine or pornographic video. Despite the differences in majority, some women use pornography as either a way to set the mood during or before a solo sex session.
Self-touch may be a private thing most times, but many people enjoy the application of manual stimulation during sex. According to a former University of Wisconsin-Madison student: “Guys like it when you touch yourself.” Now, I can’t speak for the rest of the male population, but I, for one, am very turned on when I see a woman helping herself to an amazing orgasm.
The hand-job, traditionally a masturbatory practice, can also be used during sex acts such as oral sex, to supplement the sensation of the mouth.
The bottom line is this: whether you choose to masturbate or not, it is a very healthy aspect of sex and can also be a very cheap and effective date when you have no better options. Give yourself a holiday gift this year and spend some quality time touching yourself this winter break.
If you have any extra time or even a quick study break, send in your best sex story (kinkiest, funniest, most voyeuristic, etc.) to sex@badgerherald.com. Also, if there is anything you are interested to read about in future columns, send your ideas to the same address.
The winter holiday is a time of giving and receiving. Make sure your gifts are not of the STD variety and wear a condom.