[Indie'sOK]

This may seem to some a weird question, but I am a teenage girl so I see it as normal curiosity. My question is, does anyone feel weird about masturbation? I hate the word, but I personally see it as a healthy way to learn about my body. There shouldn't be any shame associated with it. What started the idea that this is a shameful thing to do? Opinions? I'm hesitant to post this but I'm curious...

[Rhapsody]

Originally Posted by IndieSoul

What started the idea that this is a shameful thing to do?

Never be hesitant to ask a question for this is the way we learn.

IMO - I feel as though the ideal that masturbation is a bad thing started way back when ladies did not talk about such thing let alone enjoy it... sex was then considered a man thing that women suffered through for the sake of keeping their man from straying... and then the church got involved at one point (way back then) telling people what they could and could not do sexually and it just sort of stuck.

I personal par take of this practice with and with out my husband being present (and) I try to encourage others to see masturbation for what it is - as a natural sexual activity that takes place "hopfully" in private.... no shame here.

Hey there,

I agree with Rhapsody on how it started...definitely the church had some part to play in making it a "sin"...thankfully times have changed.

I actually started masturbating as a small child, and felt VERY guilty about it, but as I grew up I discovered there was really nothing wrong with it, and my feelings of guilt didn't need to be there. I'm now almost 18 and try to engage in it on a regular basis (I believe it's a great way of relieving stress).

[Indie'sOK]

Thanks girls I keep telling myself that there is nothing to feel guilty about, but I have the feeling that my mom somehow knows about it. She probably doesn't, but it seems like if she found out she wouldn't like it.

[lynn P.]

I agree with the other posters - there's nothing wrong and it's a positive activity. It's YOUR body and how can self pleasuring be wrong? When ever I try to convince people that masturbation is normal and healthy, I tell them this tidbit of info - fetuses actually touch themselves while they're in the womb. I also think if more young women were told it's healthy to do - they wouldn't be so inclined to become sexually invoved at a young age. Self pleasuring also gets a women aqainted with how to feel pleasure and understanding her own body, so she know her needs when she has a partner. It's completely normal and healthy.

[sugahorse1]

Yup - arrived at this discussion late, but i really feel there is nothing wrong. Especially if you are virgin, you become more comfortable with your body and your first time having sex will be a lot more pleasant as you know 50% of what to expect

[Katileena]

Me too Sugahorse! But I wanted to add my 2 cents...

I started masturbating when I was I think 4 years old?! How can something be a sin when an innocent child does it naturally? I think it is just a part of being human. However, I used to feel guilty doing it when I was a kid; well, maybe not guilty, just...like nervous, like someone would see me. Then one day my mom walked in on me (I was maybe 10?) She told me "If you want to do that, do it in private in your room with the door shut." She never freaked out or made me feel awkward about doing it. She basicly said its normal, just do it in private. I'm very glad I grew up with knowing this...now I feel alot more comfortable with sex.

[amante]

I totally agree with everyone's posts, I will add that in order to have your future mate/husband be able to please you to orgasmic heights, it first starts with knowing yourself and how you can please yourself to be able to orgasm. I have several girlfriends that said they could never orgasm during intercourse, and I asked them if they'd ever experienced it by masturbation, when they said No. I was surprised and asked them to see if they were able to do it for themselves and then they could tell their partner, things like how, what, when, it feels good etc.. IMO, I think it's a must for a healthy fullfilling sexlife.