The conversation around sex is ever-changing, but what about masturbation? Getting in tune with our bodies through masturbation, especially for females, is healthy and empowering.
Masturbation has long been addressed and directed toward males, but females have varying libidos, needs and desires too.
“For men, it’s kind of regarded as this natural normal part of growing up and just life, whereas a lot of people don’t even believe that it exists for women,” said Adrienne Chinski, a first-year psychology major.
Rebbecca DeFamio, a junior psychology major, emphasizes the gender discrepancy within sex education when sharing her own experience.
“A lot of it was self-discovery. I was never really taught these things,” DeFamio said.
Suzanne Degges-White, chair and professor of counseling and counselor education, emphasized the social implications of expressing sexuality.
“Women have always suffered, and to be engaged with any sexual activity and take pleasure from it is often seen as dirty or promiscuous. It’s not as normalized,” Degges-White said.
Within society, a patriarchal framework exists that favors the needs of males. To this day, females have been sexualized and objectified, forced to adhere to male ideals. In the media, girls are depicted sexually more often than boys: dressed in revealing clothing and with bodily postures or facial expressions that imply sexual readiness, according to the American Psychological Association.
Under these strict and degrading constructs, positively connecting with your body is a treacherous task for females. However, the practice of female sexual exploration plays a vital role in fighting against the patriarchy. Additionally, being comfortable with yourself is helpful for interpersonal sex.
“Knowing yourself is super important and if it does take being in a relationship to suddenly understand the connection between sex, and the down there, and the pleasure up here, then that’s what you do, but if you can beforehand, it’s always good to know yourself,” Degges-White said.
Masturbating reaps all kinds of benefits, including higher self-esteem, reduced stress, improved mental health, menstrual cycle regulation and better quality of life, according to Planned Parenthood.
“Masturbation relieves stress, it promotes oxytocin — all the things that orgasm brings are just the pleasure of it,” Degges-White said. “It is self-love. It’s showing your whole body that you love it.”
While intimacy and sexual exploration with a partner are positive, solo-time can allow us to experience our sexuality without the heavy factors that come from sexual partners, such as STDS, trauma and pregnancy. As reproductive rights are not protected nationally, females put themselves at risk of unwanted parenthood with penile-vaginal penetrative sex.
“You always have consent with yourself, so there is no danger of nonconsensual situations, and you are completely in control and do what you want when you want,” Chinski said.
As females, our respect and love for ourselves can be practiced in the ways we nourish our sexuality. Our bodies exist without a male and should not be used or objectified, unless under consent.
“It’s Valentine’s Day, and if you don’t have a partner, you got yourself. Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day, and you have self love too,” Degges-White said.
Take care of your body and get to know yourself better; you deserve it.
