During a conference in San Francisco, USA, at the United Nations offices, Joycelyn Elders spoke about the health benefits of masturbation and explained that it’s a part of human sexuality that should be promoted among young people and addressed in school sex education programs.
And although this controversial speech cost her her job, it was thanks to it that a sex toy company called “Good Vibrations” was inspired, and starting on May 7, 1995, Masturbation Day began to be celebrated.
That’s why on #sinrecato we don’t want this day to go unnoticed, and even though the month is already over, we want to share some valuable facts with you.
In ancient Greece, masturbation was considered a normal and healthy activity, especially for young men, because it allowed them to release sexual tension and get to know their bodies. For them, it served as a way to prepare for marriage.
Aristotle philosophized on the subject and believed that pleasure was a necessary and natural part of life: the goal of all human activities. Although he also believed in moderation and balance, and that too much pleasure could lead to excess and moral decay.
The Romans, who were more conservative, believed that masturbation could cause both physical and mental health problems. They considered it an immoral and shameful practice, and saw it as a sign of weakness or a lack of self-control.
In Judeo-Christian cultures, it was considered a sin because it went against the biblical commandment to “be fruitful and multiply.”
In 19th-century Europe, the taboo surrounding masturbation grew due to the influence of religious and moral codes of conduct, the conservative views of Queen Victoria of England, and the false beliefs that it could cause physical and mental illnesses.
On the other hand, in that same 19th century, doctors began treating female hysteria by manually stroking their patients’ clitoris until they reached orgasm.
Since this massage required time and physical effort, doctors began developing mechanical devices that could replace manual stimulation. In the late 19th century, British physician Joseph Mortimer Granville designed a steam-powered device called the “Granville Hammer”, considered the first mechanical sex toy or vibrator.
Thanks to Mortimer, the treatment of female hysteria found a more effective and rapid therapy, leading to the development of personal vibrators for home use.
In the early 20th century, the taboo didn’t disappear, on the contrary, psychologists such as Sigmund Freud asserted that this sexual practice could lead to various mental health problems, such as neurosis and psychosis.
Freud proposed an absurd theory called “penis envy”, in which he suggested that women were inferior to men because they lacked a penis. The psychologist also believed that female sexuality centered on the clitoris was immature and childish.
For him, female pleasure should be centered on vaginal intercourse with a male partner in order to develop a mature form of sexuality. Of course, this regressive concept was discredited years later by modern sexual research.
Today, in the 21st century, attitudes toward this sexual practice have evolved thanks to increased awareness and education regarding sexual health and well-being. Moreover, it’s considered a healthy and stimulating way to explore one’s own sexuality, reduce stress, and foster self-love.
Technological advancements such as interactive sensory tools, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence may offer new ways to revolutionize and experience masturbation.
We live in an era where high-tech sex toys can be controlled remotely or respond to voice commands, giving us the opportunity to enjoy pleasurable and innovative experiences, whether with a partner or alone.
Sexual wellness devices can also be used as medical tools to treat certain sexual dysfunctions, such as vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse.
My greatest wish is that this May you celebrated, and will continue to do so for the rest of the year, to find the best ways to discover self-pleasure, whether over your clothes, in front of the mirror, blindfolded while listening to music, touching each other as a couple (which we’ve discussed in past columns), touching your body except your genitals, using a toy, recording yourself, a video call with your playmate, or using three times more lube than usual.
The point is to enjoy and experiment as much as you can #sinrecato, always keeping your well-being and your physical and mental health in mind.
Traducción del español: Catalina Oviedo Brugés
