Masturbation or, autoeroticism .

Masturbation is a normal physiological phenomenon, which permits

people to satisfy their sexual urges and desires, without indulging in socially prohibited sexual
relationships (Davidson, 1984).(gujurate)

Thus, in orthodox and conservative societies, where premarital sexual activities are still unacceptable,
masturbation offers the only means of sexual outlet for adolescents. There have been a few studies on
masturbation among young boys in India (Sharma et al., 1996; Bhatia & Malik, 1991; Savara & Sridhar,
1992; Bhende, 1994) but there is a paucity of data with reference to the status of masturbation among
girls in our country.

Masturbation is a unique human behavior, often regarded as an appropriate sexual outlet, but it has
also been related variously to early onset of sexual activity.[4-6] Masturbation in India is known to be
associated with positive feelings when outlook toward it is positive.[7]It is also called as orgasmic
experience. (ref: Indian Jpsychiatry)

Masturbation is difficult to study because of the extreme sensitivity of participants to questions on the
topic. Masturbation makes potential study participants very uneasy, and polygraph tests have indicated
that masturbation is one of the least accurately reported sexual behaviors(Bradburn,Sudman,Blair,&
Stocking, 1978; Clark & Tifft, 1966; Halpern, Udry, Suchindran,&Campbell,2000). Although exact
prevalence numbers are hard to establish, we do know that masturbation is an extremely widespread
human experience.

A Higgins et al., 2010). It is estimated to be young men masturbate more frequently than young
women (2 to 4 times per month for women , 4 to 9 times per month for men).(IJRC)

Much of the existing research on masturbation has focused on gender differences between men and
women, with consistent findings that men masturbated more often than women (Arafat & Cotton, 1974;
Oliver & Hyde, 1993; Petersen & Hyde, 2011), women felt more stigma about masturbating than did
men (Kaestle & Allen, 2011), women relied more on (male) partners’ approval and comfort with
masturbation than did men (Kaestle & Allen, 2011), and women possessed a more negative attitude
toward masturbation compared to men (Clark & Wiederman, 2000). In addition, in a study where male
masturbators showed higher levels of ‘‘neuroticism’’ than did female masturbators, the author
suggested that men ‘‘get sex’’ from women while women do not rely on ‘‘getting sex’’ from men (and
therefore men without sex are more neurotic and need to masturbate) (Abramson,
1973).(reference:2014 journal)
The human species is probably the only one to practice masturbation and often is regarded as an
appropriate sexual outlet for them.[4] Masturbation is universally practiced ranging from 10% to 33%
among girls and 39.7% to 63% among boys.[3,5] However, masturbation has also been associated with
sexual activity in that earlier the age of initiation more the sexual activity.[22(IndianJpsychiatry)

It is a good way to learn about one’s sexual reactions and sexual responses but, unfortunately, this
process has been shrouded in mystification and controversy in the Indian social set-up. This has resulted
in the emergence of numerous myths and misconceptions, which appear to have percolated down to
the lowest stratum of the society. The social denial of any form of sex education has resulted in the
propagation of ignorance on sexual matters. Over the centuries, Indian boys have harboured feelings of
guilt associated with the Dhat Syndrome, that equates the loss of semen with loss of vital life-force.
Similarly, girls in India have to cope with various social strictures and restrictions linked to the process of
menstruation (Gupta, 1994; Sharma et al. 1996; Sharma, 1996).(gurjurate)