The Masturbation Stigma

           Masturbation. It’s a topic we don’t often talk about and when we do, it’s probably in the context of a joke. I’m sure the vast majority of us don’t discuss it at the dinner table or while hanging with family and friends. It’s probably safe to say that most people have or do masturbate. But why does society still frown upon the act? Is partnered masturbation a more accepted practice because you are engaged with another person?
           In my search on the history of stigmas with masturbation, I came across an interesting paper published for Planned Parenthood that helps answer some of the hard questions regarding the subject. The white paper titled, Masturbation-From Stigma to Sexual Health, has a wealth of information on the history of social and cultural views on masturbation. What enthralled me the most were the obscene devices and remedies developed during the 19^th and 20^th centuries to curb masturbation in children. From today’s standards, items such genital cages and sutures or cauterization to the genitals to curb urges to masturbating seems extremely brutal. Masturbation was seen as pervasive and shameful and physicians created remedies for parents to discourage masturbation in their children.

            It wasn’t until later in the 20th century that sexual behavior studies done by Alfred Kinsey, helped try and create a less stigmatized view of masturbation. According to the white paper published by Planned Parenthood, many adults who masturbate, half feel a sense of shame or guilt about it. The paper not only gives us a glimpse into the social evolution of ideas on masturbation, but it gives those who feel shame the assurance that its healthy and normal to participate in such a behavior. Why is it so difficult for people to openly discuss the topic, especially when children are involved?

            Another great discussion I came upon was a video that has sex educator Jamye Waxman discussing the importance and benefits of masturbation. She reiterates that doing the act doesn’t have to be shameful; it doesn’t have to have a stigma attached to it. If we are faced with confronting children about it, we can approach the topic in way that doesn’t have to leave a person feeling shamed or guilty. What are your thoughts? Do you agree with Waxman and her take-charge approach towards masturbation and sexuality? It would be interesting to hear how others view the subject. 

References:

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/files/5513/9611/7867/masturbation_11-02.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVTsahsCg7c

Now means Now!

            

            The photograph above, is of the last public [event] hanging in recorded U.S. History.  Rainey Bethea, est. age 27 years, Owensboro, Kentucky; August 14, 1936.  Coincidentally, as the work of Angela Y. Davis (Kimmel et al) describes in “Rape, Racism, and the Myth of the Black Rapist”, the young man of color being executed, was accused of rape.

                        Some of the most flagrant symptoms of social

                        deterioration are acknowledged as serious problems

                        only when they have assumed such epidemic

                        proportions that they appear to defy solution. (Davis, 1981)

            It was with a heavy heart that this student turned the pages (575-586) of Kimmel et al, reading Davis’ resounding words.  

           

            How in the heavens are such despicable behaviors sustained?  What in the devil’s name are humans doing, accusing one another of heinous crimes, that in many instances, the accused did not even commit?  What does this say about mob mentality?  About justice?  About the abusive use of power, cultivating hate, lies, and fear--- pitting man against woman, and woman against man.  Where can one go, from here…(?)...

                        Young activists often stated that nothing could

                        protect Black women from being raped by the police. 

                        As recently as December, 1974, in Chicago, a

                        17-year-old Black woman reported that she was

                        gang-raped by 10 policemen.  Some of the men were

                        suspended, but ultimately the whole thing was swept

                        under the rug.  (Davis, 1981)

            One of the (many) disturbing passages shared in the Davis article pointing out that systematic oppression, and the diabolical mistreatment of certain marginalized U.S. citizens has a lingering history, and unfortunately, significance presently.

            May 5, 2003, Portland, Oregon:  A young woman, Kendra James, is shot and killed during a routine traffic stop, essentially for refusing to get out of the car, and allegedly starting to drive away.  James posed no physical threat, yet officer Scott McCollister felt the need to use deadly force.  McCollister was suspended for 5 months without pay.

            February 26, 2012, Sanford, Florida: a young man walks home one evening, in a hooded sweatshirt.  No knives, no guns, no weapons.  Trayvon Martin was shot and killed, and the killer, George Zimmerman was set free.

            Within the last week, a young 18-year-old male, Michael Brown, of African-American lineage was shot and killed by Ferguson, Missouri police.  The young man was unarmed.  Why?  According to recent News 4 KMOV reports: 

                        Dorian Johnson, and his friend Mike Brown were

                        walking home from a convienence store; on the street,

                        when a Ferguson police officer, from his vehicle, told

                        the boys to get out of the street.  Johnson says, they

                        kept walking  causing the officer to confront the boys. 

                        First from his car, then got out of the car, firing a shot. 

                        Johnson says him and Brown were scared, and ran away

                        from the officer.  Johnson, “..he shot again, and once my

                        friend felt that shot, he turned around and put his hands

                        in the air, and he started to get down, but the officer still                                                                              

                        approached with his weapon drawn, and he fired several

                        more shots...”

            

            What is going on, fellow citizens?  Is it time to move beyond cultural, gender, race, sex, and religious (spiritual) persecution, or what?  Time to band together yet?  Time to love thy neighbor?

           

            The cold, calculating ugliness perpetrated by the few is threatening the peace, safety, and liberty of all U.S. citizens.  Whether one is blamed for rape, is murdered, or assumed to be a criminal---based on ignorant profiling, and unabashed erroneous accusation---the time has come for this type of archaeic, so-called justice to end. 

Now. 

SOURCES:

KMOV.COM  Another witness to Brown shooting comes forward; video shows graphic scene.  2014.  Web.

http://www.kmov.com/special-coverage-001/Another-witness-to-Michael-Brown-Jr-shooting-speaks-to-News-4-271139501.html

NPR.  The last public execution in America.  2014.  Web.  http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2001/apr/010430.execution.html

New York Times.  Zimmerman Is Acquitted in Trayvon Martin Killing.  2014.  Web.  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/14/us/george-zimmerman-verdict-trayvon-martin.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Portland Cop Watch.  Kendra James Case Continues to Reverberate.  2014. Web.

http://www.portlandcopwatch.org/PPR31/KendraJames31.html

World Star Hip Hop.  Police Fatally Shoot Unarmed Black Teenager Michael Brown.  2014.  Web.

http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshheKu4mIJ1O8Wwq3N4

PHOTO:

Unknown, NPR website.

Caution!!

           Upon reading Adina Nack’s “Damaged Goods:  Women Managing the Stigma of STD’s”, a significant question moved into the forebrain.  “Has HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) become the most common sexually transmitted infection?”  

                       

            Learning, in the reading, that within the U.S. “an estimated three out of four sexually active adults have human papilloma virus” was quite a surprise.  The surprise led to one looking further into published details on HPV. 

           

            According to the CDC (Center for Disease Prevention) website; Human Papilloma virus is the most common STI/STD [in America], and genital warts are the most common indicator of HPV.  Although altogether a different virus than that that causes AIDS and Herpes, HPV can cause cancer in a number of regions of the human body, including the throat, vagina, cervix, penis, and anus.  Deceptively, HPV can be spread with or without the presence of genital warts, and is distinctly transmitted via physical sexual contact between partners.  Recent work indicates that in addition to skin-to-skin contact, damaged skin can be a precondition of HPV, and that small cuts, and abrasions may also factor in.

            Shockingly (with HPV being the most frequently contracted STI…), it was learned that HPV tests are only recommended for women patients over 30 years old, and that the majority of those infected may be completely unaware of HPV’s presence, and may never develop the telltale symptoms.  No wonder it has become so popular…(?!)… 

            The Nack article opens up an important discussion, possible through gathering, and study, of research data---with women as the primary focus.  Methods shared included personal experience, as well as (a month long collection of) written surveys handed to patients at a women’s health care clinic.

           

            The number one listed stigma associated with HPV is denial/non-acceptance.  The writings of Goffman (1963) are referenced in Kimmel et al (Nack, 2000) mentioning work on deviant stigma, with “the discredited” and the “discreditable” as qualifiers.  The former would require openly shared, or revealing characteristics of the deviant situation (in this case presence of HPV).  Where the later, may be less visible, and more difficult to detect.  Many HPV infected people, it is suggested, may use “disidentifiers” (Goffman) to cover, or hide the infection without the knowledge of others; either through ‘telling stories to cover it up’, or simply due to the characteristically concealed whereabouts of the contagion.

            Additional highlighted stigmas listed are deception and guilt.  The combination of denial, deception, and guilt that may resonate in the consciousness of many who contract STD’s, are illustrated quite well in a single quote shared in Kimmel et al:

                        No.  I never disclosed it to any future partner.  Then one day,

                        I was having sex with Josh, my current husband, before we

                        were married, and we had been together for a few months,

                        maybe, and I’m like looking at his penis, and I said, “Oh, my

                        goodness!  You have a wart on your penis!  Ahhh!”  All of a

                        sudden, it comes back to me.       (Nack, 2000.)

            Brining up an interesting question…  Does gender of the infected, change the probability of revealing, or concealing contraction of HPV?  One imagines not.  The Nack article does not make a hypothesis to this end, and this student imagines further research would be required in order to learn more about HPV, attitudes, and honesty surrounding sharing of human papilloma virus, as well as other common STD/STI’s.

           

SOURCES:

Centers for Disease Control.  Genital HPV Infection – Fact Sheet.  2014.  Web.  http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm

Kimmel, et al; Sexualities: Identities, Behaviors, and Society.  Second edition.  New York:  Oxford University Press.  2004-15.  Print.

Mayo Clinic.  Diseases and Conditions:  HPV infection.  2014.  Web.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hpv-infection/basics/definition/con-20030343

PHOTO:

JBuk, stock.

The Exploited?

            Katherine Frank’s article, “Thinking Critically About Strip Club Research” in Sexualities: Identities, Behaviors, and Society, offers a brief, yet interesting look into the sex industry, and of one particular type of sex worker, strippers.  It was reassuring to read that much of the data utilized was obtained from women who had first-hand experience working in strip clubs.  That invariably offered this reader, as others, greater insight into some authentic information associated with the sex industry, from first-hand sources.

                                    “women can, and do, negotiate meanings of power related

                                    to their bodies….At the same time, cashing in on these bodies

                                    may reinforce the same objectified constructions that oppress

                                    women.  The complicated relationship between women and

                                    their bodies is compounded for women who work as exotic

                                    dancers.”  (Wesley, 2003: 488)

            Quite a dichotomy… How does one reconcile profiting from the exploitation of others’ sexuality to earn a living, while faced with being sexually exploited themselves?  Does stripper (exotic dancer) gender play a role in determining attitudes about working in the sex industry?  Do men, living in a culture of compulsory heterosexuality (Seidman, 2009) experience different facets of this exploitation?  What about LGBTQ sex-industry workers? 

            Question posed: does one’s sexual identity, and/or sexual orientation shift one’s thoughts and ideas about sexual exploitation, related to the prospects of working in the sex industry?  Are there any differences in attitudes from one group, to another, be that of the heteronormative variety, or otherwise?

            Elizabeth Bernstein’s article (Kimmel, et al) suggests that it is not only a question of who is the exploited, and the exploiter—the oppressed or agentic party… she proposes that sex industry work is a conscious choice for some---not just the last refuge for underprivileged, or marginalized peoples---and may be developing a new reputation of “respectability.”

           

                                    “…the argument over whether sex work is either exploitative

                                    or liberating is a ridiculous one that produces ridiculous

                                    conclusions, and…had little relevance to the complex, contradictory,

                                    and widely varied experiences of sex workers.”  (Lerum, 1999: 8)

                 

                  With the role of new technologies, and increased employment challenges for many, the billions-of-dollars-per-year sex industry may be providing much more than fiscal gain, or a “good time” for many citizens.  Workers, and/or clients… 

            Contrary to late 20^th century (“double self”) work offered by Edwards in 1993, Hoigard and Finstad in 1992, and Perkins and Bennett, 1985; it appears some of the newer middle class sex workers are aspiring toward the “single self” (Goffman, 1959) that need supply no distinction between “front stage” and “back stage.”  Perhaps insinuating that the sex industry is turning a historical corner; with outward views, and internal perceptions by sex workers themselves beginning to shift from the prototypical shame and insecurity, to that of pride, and confidence.

SOURCES:

Kimmel, et al;  Sexualities:  Identities, Behaviors, and Society.  Second Edition.  New York:  Oxford University Press.  2004-15.  Print.

Lerum, Kari (1999)  “Twelve Step Feminism Makes Sex Workers Sick:  How the State and the Recovery Movement Turn Radical Women into ‘Useless Citizens,” in Barry M. Dank and Ro erto Refinetti (eds.)  Sex Work and Sex Workers:  Sexuality and Culture Volume 2, pp. 7-36.  New Brunswick:  Transaction publishers.

Wesley, Jennifer K. (2006)  “Negotiating Myself:  The Impact of Studying Female Exotic Dancers on a Feminist Researcher.”  Qualitative Inquiry 12(1):  146-62.

PHOTO:

JBuk, stock.