Masturbation is a tale as old as time. As we grow and discover our bodies, exploration is only natural. Clay figures from well before the advent of Christianity depict masturbation, and the world's oldest known dildo is over 30,000 years old! And that's just the evidence of ancient masturbation that still exists!
Solo sex isn't just reserved for adults, either. Perhaps you remember your youthful urges to touch yourself in a way that feels good. Or you might have had to explain to your little one when it is and isn't appropriate for them to touch themselves. And if you think that humans are the only creatures that participate in this hobby, think again. Everything from dolphins to monkeys to the family dog gets in on the action from time to time.
That's why it's so odd that so many people experience shame or judgment about a completely natural act, especially from their sexual partners or people who are responsible for teaching them. While the reasons against and reactions to masturbation have varied, resistance to the act of self-pleasuring also has a long history. For example, doctors have described masturbation as a cause of insanity, which has resulted in at least one person being institutionalized. Physician Robert James wrote about how masturbation was despicable in the 1740s.
Anti-masturbation attitudes often correspond to religious teachings, with one 18th century pamphlet describing the act, using the label "onanism," and explaining how it polluted the body and led a person to hell. The pamphlet listed all sorts of symptoms that would happen to people who masturbate. You might be familiar with some myths, including that touching yourself will cause you to go blind or grow hair on your palms. Of course, you probably realize that's completely false, but it might have taken some time to get to that point.
You might also have heard that Corn Flakes cereal was designed to be bland to avoid arousing consumers in any way. It's true! John Kellogg was a doctor with a major campaign against masturbation. Sadly, inventing a tasteless cereal was the least of Kellogg's offenses against those who masturbated. He employed genital mutilation, restraints, electrical shock, and circumcision without anesthesia against his own children, and he's been dead for less than a century.
Fortunately, we've made some progress since then. Science has shown that masturbating has mental and physical health benefits, including lowered stress and improved sleep. We know that masturbation can be positive even if you're in a relationship. Through masturbation, you can learn what you like and teach your partners. And toys make masturbating easier and more fun for anyone to enjoy a little self-love.