Should I Feel Ashamed of Masturbating?

Published: September 18, 2018
Dear TeenHealthFX,

should i feel ashamed of masturbating to my friends and teachers?

Signed: Should I Feel Ashamed of Masturbating?

Dear Should I Feel Ashamed of Masturbating? ,

As children move into their tween and teen years, they will at some point become aware of various changes in their bodies, thoughts and feelings. Different changes will occur because of puberty and feelings and thoughts will become sexualized in totally new way. These changes can be exciting and confusing. Masturbating is actually a normal and common way for teens to explore their bodies as they go through these changes. It’s not a “bad habit,” it doesn’t mean anything is wrong with them, and it is rare for it to become any kind of problem that needs to be stopped or addressed in any way.

FX would be concerned if you were masturbating in front of people, in public places, or putting any images of your masturbating online or in text messages. FX might also be concerned if you were masturbating so many times a day that it was interfering in some part of your life – for example, spending less time with family and friends because of the amount of time spent masturbating or doing poorly academically because the amount of time masturbating was interfering with your getting your schoolwork done.

But as long as you understand that masturbation is something that should be done in private, and as long as the amount of time you are spending masturbating doesn’t interfere with other parts of your life, then FX does not think you have anything to worry about. It is very common for teens to masturbate – so you are not different or abnormal in any way!

For more information, please check out the following resources:

Signed: TeenHealthFX

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