Chimps are notorious for masturbation and a quick search on youtube will show you several videos of chimps in action. Here is one such video:
Since we use insights gained from observational research conducted on apes to paint a possible picture of how our ancestors may have acted in the past, scientists have longed believed that masturbation is an evolved trait. However, there are real biological reasons why masturbation is an evolved trait as well. Recent studies have found that masturbation increases the potency and effectiveness of human sperm. Sperm competition is a theory found in evolutionary sciences which theorizes that natural selection can cause behavioral changes in species such as masturbation. Sperm must compete in species where the female takes multiple partners, polyandry, in order to impregnate the female’s egg. This sperm competition will determine what genes are passed on to the next generation so only those with the highest quality of ejaculate will survive. Masturbation increases the quality of the sperm and therefore gives the male an evolutionary advantage.
If masturbation is an evolved trait then it is likely that the action did not start with the great apes. In recent years observations have been made of other animals masturbating as well. Here is a video of a dog going to town on itself with its front paws:
Here is a kangaroo having a little fun in the background:
And this is not for the faint of heart…Here is a video of a kangaroo licking his own penis:
Finally, here is a picture of cat involved in masturbation as well:
With masturbation being clearly natural in other animal species it is hard to imagine that religion has been adamantly against masturbation for thousands of years. Circumcision is one such effort to stop masturbation (perhaps I will write about this soon). Other past efforts to curb masturbation have included the use of mechanical anti-masturbation devices and surgeries. Be happy that you live in the time and location that you do!
One final note, I recently seen a study that highlighted an inverse relationship between the average number of ejaculations in a week and prostate cancer. So considering the possible health advantages of and the evolutionary advantage created by ejaculation I say HAVE FUN!!!!
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
