Order# 209689819
Psychology
In 2012 the New Family Structures Study (NFSS) had a survey study to reveal notable social predictors of masturbation patterns. The survey interviewed almost 3000 Americans between the ages 18 and 39 years. The study shows that men are more likely to report masturbation, and they are also more consistent Masturbators. The study also shows that masturbation is linked to pornography and elevated sexual desire. Also, it is connected to how dissatisfied the person is in the relationship. Other studies have shown that masturbation increase in the adolescence, peak in young adulthood, and decrease throughout the lifetime. The masturbation patter has different phases and when men get older they don’t masturbate as often.
Historically, masturbation has been considered as an embarrassing behavior, although it is more common among men than women. “Masturbation is strikingly more prevalent among men than women for all age cohorts” (Herbenick et al., 2010a:263). Another study from Swedish sexual life showed that adult men who masturbated in the past 30 days did so an average of 4.5 times, and for women is an average of 1.5 times (Brody and Costa 2009).
However, all of these studies give the impression that men are bolder to engage in masturbation and report it, and I’m not surprised by these findings; because I believe that almost all men has different perspectives about sex, where they can engage in any sexual activity for the desire, and the act, although more women engage in such activities for love. So, I believe that masturbation is not so desirable for women; therefore they are not eager about it. Also, men are much more stimulated than women and have a higher sex drive. The nature of men is that they are more attracted to the outer appearance, and that makes them feel aroused more often than women; because of what they see and like. Although women are more attracted to the emotional side, like being taken care-off and having a romantic partner that satisfies her.
However, I don’t agree with the statistics in those studies; because I believe that there is more women who masturbate, but they don’t admit it; because of how masturbation is historically considered as an embarrassing behavior. According to Prevalence of Masturbation and Associated Factors in a British National Probability Survey, masturbation has been denied and claimed as a moral sin by some religions, like Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Religious and traditional practices might be a reason for women to hide their acts or fear the consequences, especially with all the illnesses that were claimed to be associated to masturbation in the past; like insanity, brain damage, blindness and impotence.
On the other hand, there is no research found that proves the claim of men being the most likely to report and engage in masturbation more than women, which proves that men and women have a close average of reporting and engaging in masturbation. Although in the 20th century, masturbation started to build a new understanding and became a common sexual activity after discovering the real reasons of the sexual transmitted diseases.
In addition to masturbating reports, there's also another point that is generally believed about men, which is that they generally don’t take better care of their reproductive health than females. According to Science Daily, American men have the worse care of their reproductive health comparing to women, and studies show that this is because of the lack of standard clinical guidelines for men at the reproductive age. Although there has been a change since Johns Hopkins, experts and the federally funded Male Training Center for Family Planning and Reproductive Health filled the needs of those clinics (Hopkins, 2014).
Also, there are absolutely no gender differences in this case; because according to The Guttmacher Report on Public Policy; historically, women were the only or the main focus when policymakers discussed sexuality and reproductive health. Yet, they have changed that fact and included men in the reproductive health services.
However, the gender differences were huge in the past, according to Science Daily. Experts had notched the differences between girls and boys from their reproductive health, plus the fact that primary care pediatricians take sexual histories from girls three times more than boys. Moreover, they also discuss the importance of using condom among girls more than the times they discuss it with boys. I cannot see any rational reasons for the gender gap, except that most cultures treat girls as weak and sensitive and cannot be responsible to take care of them, and that their emotions could control their acts that let them make bad decisions. Unlike boys who are supposed to be more responsible and do not need anyone guiding them on what to do or how to do it.
Furthermore, I believe that it is important for both genders to get a good reproductive health; so each one would feel comfortable with their partners. A good care of own genital is important for health and for having a good, healthy sex life. When it comes to good reproductive there should be no discrimination among gender. A healthy reproductive system results in better sexual lives among men and women.
References
Gerressu, M., Mercer, C., Graham, C., Wellings, K., & Johnson, A. (2008, April 1). Prevalence of Masturbation and Associated Factors in a British National Probability Survey - Springer. Prevalence of Masturbation and Associated Factors in a British National Probability Survey - Springer. Retrieved October 13, 2014, from http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10508-006-9123-6
Hopkins, J. (2014, September 9). 'Must-have' sexual health services for men outlined in report. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 13, 2014, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140909144431.htm
Looking at Men's Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs. (n.d.). Looking at Men's Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs. Retrieved October 13, 2014, from https://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/tgr/05/2/gr050207.html
