Why is masturbation such a taboo topic?

[mistermack]

Let's face it.

Masturbation is for wankers.

And, masturbation is for everyone.

But it causes inflation.

[tattuchu]

It certainly is a sensitive subject. Even painful to bring up at times. But inserting it unexpectedly can certainly stimulate conversation, and the results one might yield from such an exercise may be rewarding, dramatic, even explosive.

[mistermack]

It is a ridiculous taboo. You would think in this day and age that it would be acceptable to bring up the subject of masturbation, and discuss it like proper, grown-up adults.

But no, the last time I raised the subject, they threw me off the bus !!!

[rasetsu]

I don't know what you're talking about. I talk about masturbation all the time. Most often when I'm alone. And it's nothing but compliments.



I gotta get my strokes somehow.

[Pappa]

It's funny that the OP mentions dinner parties, a decidedly middle class persuit. It's only the middle classes who are so anal about bodily matters.

[Jason]

Mutual anal masturbation anyone?

No, I think I'll just have a bit more of this tasty beef bourguignon.

[rachelbean]

Yeah, masturbation is not a taboo subject at all amongst my friends, and most of them are fairly intelligent and "grown-up", but open about mist things. It seems odd to me that non-religious people would be so uptight

[Jason]

'mist things'?

To state the obvious, it's a cultural thing. Just because I'm an atheist doesn't mean I'm also counter-cultural. Unless it's an easing of the sexual repression caused by a formerly held belief I think the average person will simply carry on more or less following the cultural norms of the area they reside in.

[Thinking Aloud]

Discussing masturbation involves talking about or implying bodily fluids, so, much as we don't generally discuss mucus and earwax over dinner, other secretions are usually avoided. Genitals, of course, are dirty and shameful, as culture has long dictated (inherited from religion), so any mention of frontal organs is culturally on a par with having a conversation about urine and defecation.

Stupid societal mores.

[rasetsu]

Discussing masturbation involves talking about or implying bodily fluids, so, much as we don't generally discuss mucus and earwax over dinner, other secretions are usually avoided. Genitals, of course, are dirty and shameful, as culture has long dictated (inherited from religion), so any mention of frontal organs is culturally on a par with having a conversation about urine and defecation.

"What a bunch of hooey."

[Thinking Aloud]

Discussing masturbation involves talking about or implying bodily fluids, so, much as we don't generally discuss mucus and earwax over dinner, other secretions are usually avoided. Genitals, of course, are dirty and shameful, as culture has long dictated (inherited from religion), so any mention of frontal organs is culturally on a par with having a conversation about urine and defecation.

"What a bunch of hooey."

I know that, and you know that, but try converting the rest of the world...

[Bella Fortuna]

Discussing masturbation involves talking about or implying bodily fluids, so, much as we don't generally discuss mucus and earwax over dinner, other secretions are usually avoided. Genitals, of course, are dirty and shameful, as culture has long dictated (inherited from religion), so any mention of frontal organs is culturally on a par with having a conversation about urine and defecation.

"What a bunch of hooey."

I know that, and you know that, but try converting the rest of the world...

We can do it... one splurge at a time.

[Clinton Huxley]

Good grief! 'Twas a morbid addiction to solitary beastliness that led to French defeat against the Prussians.

[FBM]

I don't know what you're talking about. I talk about masturbation all the time. Most often when I'm alone. And it's nothing but compliments.



I gotta get my strokes somehow.

I still remember my first time to have sex. The warm bath, the uncertainty, the pleasant surprise, the solitude...

[mistermack]

There are perfectly good evolutionary reasons why we are reticent about sex, and instinctively keep it private.

Human infants are big, heavy, helpless and vulnerable, for the longest period of any species. They're a big investment for both sexes.

The male does not want to spend his life defending and providing for the young of another male.

And the female doesn't want to give away her sexual favours, without commitment from the male, to stick around, and defend and provide for her children.

Obviously, it's in the interests of both parties to cheat a bit. To attempt to have your cake, and eat it. But the instincts are to make sure that your partner remains committed.

Having sex in public is likely to invite interference from bystanders. A male would not like a bigger, stronger male to get interested enough to decide to take over.
And a female would rather other females didn't get to like the way her mate was performing, and to fancy some, when they got the chance.

So we evolved a need for privacy, to strengthen this system of one-man-one-woman bonding that served us so well.