Masturbation: a Silent Sexual Practice
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Masturbation: a Silent Sexual Practice Carolien Saathof 10885927 [email protected] Master in Sociology, track Gender, Sexuality in Society Supervisors: dr. M.L. Janssen and dr. D. Weenink Graduate School of Social Sciences – University of Amsterdam Thesis 30-06-2016 24.971 words Preface This thesis would not have been possible without the help of my respondents. I want to thank the respondents who have filled in the survey of the research project Let’s Talk About Sex. I want to thank the respondents who have participated in the interviews specifically for their openness about my (sometimes) uncomfortable questions. I want to thank the research team of Let’s Talk About Sex for all their insight and expertise that greatly assisted the research. I wish to thank dr. Stephanie Steinmetz for helping me with the quantitative data, dr. Don Weenink for his support and advice, and in particular dr. Marie-Louise Janssen for her patience, advice, insights, and support. I want to thank my parents for always believing in me and giving me the opportunity to do a masters at the University of Amsterdam. Many thanks to my brother, my friends and fellow students who have read my proposals, first, second, and 16th drafts, for your feedback and your support. Last but not least, thanks to my soon-to-be husband Robin for all his patience, pride, love, and never ending support. 2 Index Chapter 1: Introduction............................................................................................................... 6 Chapter 2: Methodology ............................................................................................................. 9 2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 9 2.2 Research group ................................................................................................................. 9 2.3 Qualitative approach....................................................................................................... 10 2.4 Quantitative approach..................................................................................................... 13 Chapter 3: Theoretical framework............................................................................................ 15 3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 15 3.2 Sexual script theory ........................................................................................................ 15 3.3 Christian beliefs .............................................................................................................. 17 3.4 Medical ideas .................................................................................................................. 17 3.5 Theory of sexuality by Freud ......................................................................................... 18 3.6 Sexual revolution ............................................................................................................ 19 3.7 The civilisation process .................................................................................................. 20 3.8 Gender ............................................................................................................................ 22 3.9 Feelings of shame and guilt ............................................................................................ 23 Chapter 4: Practices of masturbation........................................................................................ 24 4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 24 4.2 Start of masturbation ...................................................................................................... 24 4.3 Masturbation frequency .................................................................................................. 25 4.4 Gender ............................................................................................................................ 27 4.5 Having a relationship...................................................................................................... 28 4.6 Place of masturbation ..................................................................................................... 28 4.7 Masturbation as part of partnered sex ............................................................................ 29 4.8 Motives for masturbation ............................................................................................... 30 4.9 Masturbation as a preference .......................................................................................... 32 Chapter 5: Social ideas on masturbation .................................................................................. 34 5.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 34 5.2 Attitude towards masturbation ....................................................................................... 34 3 5.3 Masturbation as a sexual act ........................................................................................... 36 5.4 Gender ............................................................................................................................ 37 5.5 Sexual education............................................................................................................. 39 5.6 Talking about masturbation ............................................................................................ 40 Chapter 6: Feelings of shame and guilt .................................................................................... 42 6.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 42 6.2 Shame ............................................................................................................................. 42 6.3 Guilt ................................................................................................................................ 45 6.4 Consequences of shame.................................................................................................. 47 6.5 Self-constraint................................................................................................................. 48 6.6 Gender ............................................................................................................................ 50 6.7 Positive feelings.............................................................................................................. 51 Chapter 7: Sexual autonomy .................................................................................................... 52 7.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 52 7.2 Choice to masturbate ...................................................................................................... 52 7.3 Confidence...................................................................................................................... 52 7.4 Gender ............................................................................................................................ 53 7.5 Control ............................................................................................................................ 55 7.6 Script............................................................................................................................... 56 Chapter 8: Discussion ............................................................................................................... 59 8.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 59 8.2 Script............................................................................................................................... 59 8.3 Traditional ideas ............................................................................................................. 60 8.3 Practices.......................................................................................................................... 60 8.4 Shame and guilt .............................................................................................................. 62 8.5 Male sexual script ........................................................................................................... 63 8.6 Female sexual script ....................................................................................................... 64 8.7 Limitations qualitative research ..................................................................................... 66 8.8 Limitations quantitative research ................................................................................... 67 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 69 4 Appendix 1: Interview guide .................................................................................................... 81 Appendix 2: Summary.............................................................................................................. 85 5 Chapter 1: Introduction Within Western societies, masturbation has