Page 219 - (DK) Help Your Kids with Growing Up: A No-Nonsense Guide to Puberty and Adolescence

M ASTURBATION 217

Frequently or not at all
How often a person masturbates is up to them. It might be as
frequent as several times a day, or not at all. There are no health
risks involved in masturbation. The frequency with which a teen
masturbates is only a problem if it begins to interfere with their
daily life, or if they masturbate around other people.

▷ Healthy balance
Teens should find a healthy
balance, and ensure that
masturbation doesn’t cause them
to miss out on other aspects of life.

Privacy Having fantasies
Masturbation is generally a private activity – there is no Some people like to fantasize about things they find sexual
need for a teen to tell anyone about it if they don’t want to. to help them become aroused or to experience an orgasm.
Getting caught, or catching someone masturbating, can be They may also use material such as pornography or romance
embarrassing, but the best idea is to laugh it off and not make novels while they masturbate. Having fantasies is normal,
a big deal of it. and can help people explore what they like and who they
Masturbation should also never be done in public. No one are attracted to.
should feel that masturbation is something to be ashamed of,
but it’s best to recognize it’s a personal act and not everybody
feels comfortable with it.

△ Peace and quiet △ Desire and dreams
Although masturbation is normal and Some people think about a person they are attracted
natural, it should be done privately. to or imagine a sexual situation when they masturbate.

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