There are probably very few parents around who would explain their children that masturbation is a normal and healthy activity and would tell them to just enjoy it.

Sex is such a personal issue that it’s the most painful place a young person can be shamed. Now that social media has become so prevalent it’s has become the common arena in which to harass someone. For example, the expression “slut shaming” is often used online when teenage girls are being criticised (shamed) for their sexual expression or assumed sexual experiences. No chance we will ever see “stud shaming” used to the same extent.

Being shamed can affect anyone, but it especially affects those who don’t fit the “norm” – lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and intersex (LGBTI) people are easy targets. They are recognised as being a high-risk group for suicide, documented in this 2010 senate committee report. They feel marginalised because of their sexuality – this is how sexual shame hurts people.

So if we don’t want people to feel ashamed about sex, what exactly is “normal sex”? Sex is a consensual act between adults and you can do anything you want as long as it’s legal. Bondage, group sex, cybersex, swinging and kinky sex, looking at porn or using sex toys – anything goes. And if you don’t have a partner, solo sex is a great way to self-pleasure.

Curated by Erbe
Original Article