Statistics
Resources

• Abstinence and masturbation are 100% effective in preventing unwanted pregnancy or the spread of HIV/STIs. (https://www.teensource.org)
• Studies show that about 7 out of 10 adult men and more than 5 out of 10 adult women masturbate. Some people masturbate more than once a day, some people masturbate once in a while, and some people never masturbate — and all are completely healthy and normal. (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/newsroom/press-releases/mays-happy-ending-give-yourself-a-hand-this-national-masturbation-month)
• Ask students why they think the statistic: “5 out of 10 adult women masturbate” is so much lower than the men’s statistic? Are women not reporting the truth? Are they really not masturbating? Does stigma play a role in any of these possible answers?
• For most of their lives, women grow up believing the myth that women don’t masturbate. This myth is created and sustained on the premise that women don’t have desires independent of men. Secondly, a woman touching herself is ‘immoral.’ And third, only a man is capable of and should be involved in satiating a woman. Masturbation gives a sense of autonomy to the woman over her body and a better understanding of what gives her utmost pleasure.
• Female masturbation is normal and it’s time we do away with the stigma. The clitoris solely exists for sexual pleasure and has around 12,000 nerve endings. Many women do not know where the clitoris is or what it does, let alone touch it, play with it or rub it. Masturbation is still considered dirty. Why is self-pleasure looked down upon and controlled in the case of women?
• Explain the anatomical development and structure of the clitoris. Here are some sites to go to for more detailed/helpful information: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/vagina-anatomy-diagrams and https://www.babycenter.com/2_inside-pregnancy-girl-or-boy_10313041.bc
• Share or write these famous quotes as you encourage students to discuss/think about masturbation:

Reading, like masturbation, is something you do alone and very little in life brings more pleasure.
— Chloe Thurlow (Author of 50 Shades of Grey)

Among all types of sexual activity, masturbation is, however, the one in which the female most frequently reaches orgasm.
— Alfred Charles Kinsey (American sexologist)

Don’t knock masturbation — it’s sex with someone I love.
— Woody Allen (American director/writer/actor/comedian)

We have reason to believe that man first walked upright to free his hands for masturbation.
— Lily Tomlin (American actress/comedian/writer/singer/producer)

The good thing about masturbation is that you don’t have to get dressed up for it.
— Truman Capote (American novelist/short story writer)

The only shame in masturbation is the shame of not doing it well.
— Sigmund Freud (Austrian neurologist)