Research on Masturbation
I have three questions to answer:
- Typical age of masturbation onset (by gender).
- Typical age of orgasm/ejaculatory onset (by gender).
- Typical age of highest masturbation frequency (by gender).
So what’s up with the relative lack of research on this topic? (Yes, that was a rhetorical question, for you smart-alecks in the peanut gallery.) Here’s what I’ve been able to find, although the sparseness of the research appals me to the degree where I’m hesitant to state these numbers absolutely:
- Pediatrics (kind of a giant in this kind of research) says that masturbation generally starts around 2 months for both girls and boys (although in-utero masturbation has also been observed). They go on to say that masturbation (and general body/sexual interest) drops off around 4 or 5 and then picks up again in adolescence. Now, lots of people (although apparently not Pediatrics) have trouble acknowledging that child masturbation is in fact masturbation (they say it’s “different”), but come on, people. It’s masturbation. It might not end in an orgasm, but if orgasm is our benchmark for an activity qualifying as a sexual activity, the whole ballgame just got changed.
- For boys, it’s maybe around 12, give or take a year. But the research that provides this information? It’s sketchy. More clear is that boys typically have this vague understanding that they will one day have something squirting from their penis, but they’re not entirely certain how they got that information. Very odd. However, information is just non-existent for girls. I have no idea at what age women tend to have their first orgasm. Certainly, for some, it is during adolescence. But others never have one. So the age spread will be much, much bigger than for boys. But I’m fascinated by this lack-of-information. Also, what about self-induced orgasms vs. partner-induced orgasms?
- “Adolescence.” How useful is that? Oh, wait, I forgot, it’s not it all. But best guesses for boys is maybe 13 to 15 somewhere. For girls? No idea.
Okay, folks, this is just inadequate. If anyone has information in these particular areas, I’d love to hear from you either in the comments section or privately via e-mail.
So what are your masturbation stories? I’d also love to hear them, either in comments or privately via e-mail. When did you start? When did you do it the most? What did your parents tell you (or not tell you) about it?
May 30th, 2008 at 7:16 am
Hmmm. Interesting stuff. I love research… and perfect for the tail end of National Masturbation Month (May)!
I started myself at about 8, with my first self-induced at 10 and my first partner-induced at 14.
As far as frequency, I am now in my mid-thirties, and have never been more “active” with myself (nor have I ever been more picky about potential partners), I guess we’ll have to see if I have hit my peak. *grins*
Good stuff. I look forward to reading other replies… and I may try to find some research to help you out.
May 30th, 2008 at 7:32 am
An anonymous e-mailer asked me to provide her personal masturbation experiences:
I can remember masturbating in my crib. My parents never said anything about it one way or the other. When I was in my early teens I started doing it more, but for years I never had an orgasm and wasn’t sure I could have one. Then when I was 16, I had my first orgasm and it was a.maz.ing. Changed my life forever. Whole new world. I masturbated the most when I was 17-19, after I discovered the glorious orgasm but before I did very much with partners
My husband had his first orgasm while masturbating in the bathtub of his step-relatives’ house when he was 12-ish. He thought it was pretty neat.
May 30th, 2008 at 8:00 am
Another anonymous response via e-mail:
And as a secret volunteer for your research I am going to answer your questions :),
1- I have been masturbating from when I was about 10, when I found it pleasing to wash my widgets with soap.
2- I have had orgasm/ejaculations from when I was about 14.
3- Highest infrequency of masturbation for me was when I was 17.
Of course, I think generally it would kinda related to parental education and the community where we live to get the proper answers to such questions. It’s very interesting to see what will be the results of your research.
May 30th, 2008 at 10:27 am
1. About 10 years old, if memory serves.
2. Hmm . . . 13, maybe? Don’t remember.
3. High school — circa age 16/17.
My parents never stigmatized it, though we never talked about it directly. I DO remember that our youth minister addressed it in a boys-only sex-ed class at church - positive outlook, feelings/desires are normal, don’t go overboard. Even at the time, I thought he was taking a candid, sensible approach.
May 31st, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Hi Karen,
My first masturbation to orgasm was during the two years I was in middle school, but I don’t recall my precise age at the time.
However, I distinctly recall having erotically stimulating fantasies about intercourse with girls when I as young as 8 (when I was in third grade).
June 4th, 2008 at 5:36 am
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