Autoeroticism
Encyclopedia
Autoeroticism is the practice of stimulating oneself sexually. The term was popularized toward the end of the 19th century by British sexologist
Havelock Ellis
, who defined autoeroticism as "the phenomena of spontaneous sexual emotion generated in the absence of an external stimulus proceeding, directly or indirectly, from another person." The most common autoerotic practice is masturbation
, and the two terms are often used as synonyms, although masturbation can also occur with a partner.
s, vibrators, anal beads
, Sybian machines, and other sex toy
s while alone. Autofellatio
, the act of orally stimulating one's own penis, is thought to occur in less than 1% of the male population. It is rare because performing it requires great physical flexibility. Autoerotic behavior is considered to be a normal part of human development, beginning when children or adolescents are able to stimulate themselves sexually. Among the benefits of the act are availability of a sexual partner (oneself), the ability to learn varying degrees of orgasm control
, and the fact that it is usually a safe sex
practice.
because it violates the purpose of the "...total meaning of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love." As such, it is viewed as an offense against chastity
.
Teaching adolescents about masturbation remains controversial in some parts of the world. For example, in 1994 Bill Clinton
fired Joycelyn Elders who was Surgeon General of the United States
in part because she advocated teaching masturbation in schools as a way of preventing teenage pregnancy
and sexually transmitted diseases.
. These include autoerotic asphyxiation and self-bondage
. The potential for injury or even death that exists while engaging in these practices rather than the partnered versions (erotic asphyxiation
and bondage
, respectively) becomes drastically increased due to the isolation and lack of assistance in the event of a problem.
Sexology
Sexology is the scientific study of human sexuality, including human sexual interests, behavior, and function. The term does not generally refer to the non-scientific study of sex, such as political analysis or social criticism....
Havelock Ellis
Havelock Ellis
Henry Havelock Ellis, known as Havelock Ellis , was a British physician and psychologist, writer, and social reformer who studied human sexuality. He was co-author of the first medical textbook in English on homosexuality in 1897, and also published works on a variety of sexual practices and...
, who defined autoeroticism as "the phenomena of spontaneous sexual emotion generated in the absence of an external stimulus proceeding, directly or indirectly, from another person." The most common autoerotic practice is masturbation
Masturbation
Masturbation refers to sexual stimulation of a person's own genitals, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation can be performed manually, by use of objects or tools, or by some combination of these methods. Masturbation is a common form of autoeroticism...
, and the two terms are often used as synonyms, although masturbation can also occur with a partner.
Self stimulation
Many people use dildoDildo
A dildo is a sex toy, often explicitly phallic in appearance, intended for bodily penetration during masturbation or sex with partners.- Description and uses :...
s, vibrators, anal beads
Anal beads
Anal beads are a sex toy consisting of multiple spheres or balls attached together in series which are continuously inserted through the anus into the rectum and then removed with varying speeds depending on the effect desired...
, Sybian machines, and other sex toy
Sex toy
A sex toy is an object or device that is primarily used to facilitate human sexual pleasure. The most popular sex toys are designed to resemble human genitals and may be vibrating or non-vibrating...
s while alone. Autofellatio
Autofellatio
Autofellatio is the act of oral stimulation of one's own penis as a form of masturbation. It is physically possible for men who have sufficient flexibility, penis size or a combination of the two to perform autofellatio...
, the act of orally stimulating one's own penis, is thought to occur in less than 1% of the male population. It is rare because performing it requires great physical flexibility. Autoerotic behavior is considered to be a normal part of human development, beginning when children or adolescents are able to stimulate themselves sexually. Among the benefits of the act are availability of a sexual partner (oneself), the ability to learn varying degrees of orgasm control
Orgasm control
Orgasm control, also known as "edging", "peaking", "surfing", and by other terms, is a sexual technique which involves the maintenance of a high level of sexual arousal for an extended period of time without reaching orgasm, although orgasm can be reached eventually. If orgasm is not reached after...
, and the fact that it is usually a safe sex
Safe sex
Safe sex is sexual activity engaged in by people who have taken precautions to protect themselves against sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS. It is also referred to as safer sex or protected sex, while unsafe or unprotected sex is sexual activity engaged in without precautions...
practice.
Criticism and controversies
Some people, for religious or personal reasons, believe autoeroticism to be wrong. For example, masturbation is considered wrong by the Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
because it violates the purpose of the "...total meaning of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love." As such, it is viewed as an offense against chastity
Chastity
Chastity refers to the sexual behavior of a man or woman acceptable to the moral standards and guidelines of a culture, civilization, or religion....
.
Teaching adolescents about masturbation remains controversial in some parts of the world. For example, in 1994 Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
fired Joycelyn Elders who was Surgeon General of the United States
Surgeon General of the United States
The Surgeon General of the United States is the operational head of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and thus the leading spokesperson on matters of public health in the federal government...
in part because she advocated teaching masturbation in schools as a way of preventing teenage pregnancy
Teenage pregnancy
Teenage pregnancy is a pregnancy of a female under the age of 20 when the pregnancy ends. It generally refers to a female who is unmarried and usually refers to an unplanned pregnancy...
and sexually transmitted diseases.
Safety issue
A few autoerotic practices are considered unsafe, sometimes even leading to deathAutoerotic fatality
Autoerotic fatalities are deaths that occur during sexual activity when an action, chemical, device or prop that is being employed to enhance physical or psychological stimulation causes the death. These deaths may be accidental, natural or homicidal and occur in connection with consensual acts,...
. These include autoerotic asphyxiation and self-bondage
Self-bondage
Self-bondage refers to the use of restraints on oneself for sexual pleasure. It is a form of sexual bondage which can be practiced alone.Self-bondage is characterized by experimentation and ingenuity, and can be riskier than conventional bondage...
. The potential for injury or even death that exists while engaging in these practices rather than the partnered versions (erotic asphyxiation
Erotic asphyxiation
Erotic asphyxiation or breath control play is the intentional restriction of oxygen to the brain for sexual arousal. The sexual preference for that behavior is variously called asphyxiophilia, autoerotic asphyxia, hypoxyphilia. Colloquially, a person engaging in the activity is sometimes called a...
and bondage
Bondage (BDSM)
Bondage is the use of restraints for the sexual pleasure of the parties involved. It may be used in its own right, as in the case of rope bondage and breast bondage, or as part of sexual activity or BDSM activity.- Private bondage :...
, respectively) becomes drastically increased due to the isolation and lack of assistance in the event of a problem.