evolutionary biology : masturbation is bad

DeanW said:

Does anyone have an idea why human beings of certain sects or groups began to see masturbation as a bad thing, from an evolutionary biological perspective?

Click to expand...

Sex toys existed long before recorded history or civilization. Something new began with Adam and Eve 6,000 years ago. This was the beginning of marriage and the beginning of civilization. Also the beginning of recorded history and laws. Göbekli Tepe goes back a lot further. Some consider this the first temple others consider it more of a house of prostitution. This is considered to be pre civilization.

There are a dozen or so animals and birds that do mate for life. They are able to identify a hormone that seems to be the cause of this. Prairie voles are generally monogamous.

I believe evolutionary biology is the reason for a lot of our desires and choices, so why (if it does) cause some people to think they should not touch? Does it connect it with promiscuity and the tendency to not have stable relationships?

Click to expand...

Desires are the product of hormones that most mammals have in common. Sex and the recombination of DNA goes back a very long way and even almost to the beginning of evolution. Very few species reproduce through cloning themselves. If they do they they are immortal. There can be no death for a species that continues to reproduce that way. Only when the climate or the eco system can no longer support them.

Clinton's Surgeon General, Dr. Elders, was pressured to resign her position because she suggested masturbation was a healthy alternative to premarital, risky sex. Is it taught in sex-ed yet?

joshua 1 9 said:

Very few species reproduce through cloning themselves. If they do they they are immortal.

Click to expand...

They're not immortal: climate and habitat changes, mutations, predation, etc.

DaisyDay said:

They're not immortal: climate and habitat changes, mutations, predation, etc.

Click to expand...

It is rare but there are a few life forms that do not change, they just split into two exact copies of the original. Even pond scum or algae can reproduce sexually or asexually.

joshua 1 9 said:

It is rare but there are a few life forms that do not change, they just split into two exact copies of the original. Even pond scum or algae can reproduce sexually or asexually.

Click to expand...

So can tiger lilies, but if the climate becomes unsuitable, then they will die off. Or one of its mutant daughters may out-produce and hog the shared resources. Even pond scum wasn't always pond scum, if you catch my drift.

It's taught as 'wrong' because sexual control is a key part of many religion, including Christianity.

From a physiological point of view there's nothing wrong with it and it's perfectly healthy, especially for men in reducing the risk of prostate cancer.

florida2 said:

From a physiological point of view there's nothing wrong with it and it's perfectly healthy, especially for men in reducing the risk of prostate cancer.

Click to expand...

And for women in alleviating uterine cramps.

Actually, biology does not indicate that "masturbation is bad."

I don't see why this is even an issue. The "sin of Onan?" Grow up, and read the Bible with an adult's understanding.

Dr GS Hurd said:

Actually, biology does not indicate that "masturbation is bad."

I don't see why this is even an issue. The "sin of Onan?" Grow up, and read the Bible with an adult's understanding.

Click to expand...

Easy chief, it's an honest question. No need to be antagonistic.

florida2 said:

From a physiological point of view there's nothing wrong with it and it's perfectly healthy, especially for men in reducing the risk of prostate cancer.

Click to expand...

These data are suspect. Male humans over the age of 60 years who [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] at least 4 times a week have a lower rate of prostrate cancer. Is that a cause, or an effect??

More interesting is the religious argument against female masturbation because it "causes" lesbianism.

The biblical passages relating to reproduction are all pathetic.

Dr GS Hurd said:

These data are suspect. Male humans over the age of 60 years who [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] at least 4 times a week have a lower rate of prostrate cancer. Is that a cause, or an effect??

More interesting is the religious argument against female masturbation because it "causes" lesbianism.

The biblical passages relating to reproduction are all pathetic.

Click to expand...

The argument of female masturbation causing lesbianism, was that purely religious? That argument always seemed more "Bwah! We don't understand vaginas! Vaginas bad!"

DeanW said:

I don't think it does either but there is a reason that humans begin to think it is, somethings causing their brains to draw that conclusion.

Click to expand...

I really cannot find an explanation that is not cultural. If you think there is a biological explanation, then this may be a good research study.

Oh, also I should point out. Apparently our mods are a bunch of 12 year olds and this topic may be too mature for them. So be careful with this thread.

DeanW said:

Does anyone have an idea why human beings of certain sects or groups began to see masturbation as a bad thing, from an evolutionary biological perspective?

I believe evolutionary biology is the reason for a lot of our desires and choices, so why (if it does) cause some people to think they should not touch? Does it connect it with promiscuity and the tendency to not have stable relationships?

Click to expand...

Masturbation is part of sexuality, and if you can control a person's sexuality, you have a lot of control of the person. The Abrahamic religions certainly go in big for this type of control, with one of more of no sex before marriage, no masturbation, women covering themselves, genital mutilation of boys and girls.