For those of us who don't approve of masturbation, what are some ways a parent can discourage this behavior in young teens?
2006-12-22 20:38:38 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
why discourage it? its actually healthly to do it. if its because of religous reasons, then well, tell your kids the religous reason and see if they accept it
2006-12-22 20:48:35 · answer #1 · answered by Hermione Malfoy 3 · 7⤊ 0⤋
teens have been masturbating since penises were first discovered and no amount of talk or conniving or punishment is goign to stop the practice. Even circumcision which was once thought to cure the evil masturbation doesn't work.
What everyone has to realize is that masturbation is a normal healthy activity for teens and adults too. Sure they can do ti to excess but usually their sore penis will stop that quickly enough. In fact masturbation is also healthy in many ways. Aside from being an excellent release for sexual tension, it reduces the risk of prostate cancer, is free of any risk of sti's, won't get anyone pregnant and others...
So, unless you prefer your young teens having sex instead, you might want to put your disapproval of masturbation in a closet and just let the teens do their thing.
2006-12-23 23:48:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The problem with discouraging masturbation is that it will then be taboo and the forbidden is always more pleasurable. In all the literature that I have read, masturbation is not considered as it was considered say a decade ago. You don't go blind and you will not grow hair in the palm of your hands. I would say just be thankful that it is just masturbation.
2006-12-23 05:01:34 · answer #3 · answered by Bethy4 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
you shouldn't try to discourage it. its a natural part of life. Think of it this way: would you prefer they masturbate and find fulfillment with them selves or go out and find it with someone else? And don't say that you didn't do it when you were young, because we all do it and did it. My dad caught me when i was 10, he told me it was natural, but if i am going to do it, do it in private. Be glad its only masturbation, and not drugs or alcohol. Good luck
2006-12-23 17:51:17 · answer #4 · answered by mozartbuffy69 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Some battles aren't worth fighting (at least not very hard). This is one of them. There are natural law arguments, made by Thomas Aquinas, against masturbation. You might consider trying them. Probably won't work, though.
2006-12-25 01:17:26 · answer #5 · answered by rb42redsuns 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why would you disapprove of something that is natural, healthy, and common. It doesn't go against society's values, and last I checked religion is ok with it as well.
I guess you could discourage it by helping your children find boyfriends/girlfriends and teaching them to practice safe sex. But I'm guessing they're too young for that.
You should evaluate your personal beliefs about the subject, and discover the cause of your disapproval.
2006-12-23 04:51:51 · answer #6 · answered by joecool123_us 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Any way you address the situation will discourage it. You just might accomplish teaching your teen how to be more discreet. Some parents to their horror have infants who discover masturbation before they can walk, so count yourself lucky, and try not to scar the kid emotionally, okay? They already know that its "bad" (which I don't think its wrong) and have enough guilt as it is.
2006-12-23 04:54:13 · answer #7 · answered by ? 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
yes - you can let them go out and have real sex.....
masturbation is natural and if you make your kid feel like they are doing something nasty its going to cause serious mental issues with sex being dirty and interestingly enough this often results in more devious sexual interests..
if you are open minded and accept that it is natural then your kid will actually have a healthier attitude about sex in general...
if you don approve of masturbation it is likely becuase somebody poisoned your mind to think it was wrong and dirty and unfortunately for you it will be difficult to overcome those feelings.. but realize that masturbation is natural and many experts will infact say it is healthy
2006-12-23 11:06:29 · answer #8 · answered by CF_ 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
By discouraging it, all you're actually doing is encouraging them to try the real thing, which will lead to greater risks such as teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
Probably best not to even think or worry about masturbation. Out of sight, out of mind.
2006-12-23 08:36:59 · answer #9 · answered by O'Shea 5 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Try it yourself! But also find out why you disapprove of it so much (Parents? Friends spreading untrue rumours?)
If you mean that the kid does it when they're in public and they're over the age of 3, then they should be told not to do it in public as it's inappropriate.
If they just do it in their own room (regardless of age), however, then I'd say leave them be.
I've discovered from personal experience that NOT masturbating leads to sex that (I guess, in your eyes) is wrong. (i.e. Pre-marital; but I mean with a casual partner rather than my regular partner in my case).
Surely you'd rather the kid waited till legal age to have sex than have it come home with an STI and/or a baby inside after finding itself feeling uncomfortable becasue of not beign allowed to touch itself?
It eases tension, feels good and improves sleep, too.
2006-12-23 08:29:27 · answer #10 · answered by swelwynemma 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
There is nothing wrong with masturbation. If your teen is doing it, tell them to do it in the privacy of their bedroom or bathroom.
2006-12-26 15:52:01 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋