All right. Honestly. I give masturbation two thumbs way up. I masturbate a good amount and enjoy every minute of it. I believe masturbation is 110-percent normal and quite pleasurable. What do you think? It's not about being able to get girls, or about trying to impress your friends with your "pimp" game. It's just about pure pleasure and YOU getting comfortable with YOURself.


Jim's dad says in the movie American Pie, "It's like hitting a tennis ball against a brick wall, which can be fun. It can be fun. But it's not a game. What you want is a partner to return the ball." Key word: want. Of course, you will want a partner someday, but you do not need one, especially if you want to just "get off."

Sexual Stereotypes

Now, life is easy for us guys. We're expected to masturbate and it's normal if we talk about it freely. Why is that? It's the same reason why if a guy sleeps with ten girls, he's considered "the man," but if a girl sleeps with ten guys, she's considered a complete "slut." Girls, who are of the "feminine, beautiful" gender, are seen as incapable of such open sexual behavior...but are they?

It's a double standard. Most men do not find masturbation risky to talk about or in the least bit nasty. It is quite simple for us to talk about, because society expects us to. For girls, talking about masturbation is debated...but will it change? Can we change it? Think about it. Come up with your own answer.

Little Risk

Now, I highly doubt that I am the only one who thinks an orgasm is a miracle. So wanting to get one is completely acceptable, even if it's by your lonesome. So, guys, let's break down this situation.

Your hands cannot get pregnant. You don't have to worry about abortion (if your female partner gets pregnant and chooses to have one), breaking a condom, or having to pull out at the right time. You do not have to worry about sexually transmitted infections. And you don't have to worry about friction in a relationship. (But lotion up, so that friction won't be a problem when you're taking care of business. Trust me; it will make a huge difference.)

Big Benefits

There are meaningful benefits from masturbating. Top on the list would be it makes you extremely comfortable with your sexuality! Whether you are gay, straight, or, well, if you like the best of both worlds, masturbation will make you comfortable with you who are and who you want to be as a sexual person.

It will make you fully aware of what feels good sexually, and what you might want to do with a future partner. So, when having sex with a partner, you could let them know what's more pleasurable for intense stimulation.

It is perfectly fine if a guy does not masturbate, too. It's as simple as that. If you feel uncomfortable doing it, if your religion or your parent says you cannot pleasure yourself, or if you just don't find pleasure in doing it, then why waste your time? But the benefits from it are top notch. More so, an orgasm is amazing and taking 10 minutes out of your day to get one is a complete bargain.

Sexual Explorer

Masturbation is something in life that's meant to be explored. I'm the Christopher Columbus of it, in that case, and you can be as well, if you choose to. There is absolutely no harm and, more importantly, no shame in masturbating. It needs no type of relationship or athletic skill, just a couple of hands and some free time. That's it!

So, I'll leave it up to you to make your own decisions on masturbation.

Editors' Note: For a girl's take on masturbation, check out "Masturbation: Girls, Let's Admit It," by Ana Bacic.