Is masturbation a life skill?

I wish it was talked about more when I was at school.

It was fairly common knowledge that boys did this, but I didnt have a clue about it for girls.

For this reason, I spent my teens getting into relationships for sex, had a really busy sex life (almost an "addiction" at some point) because I never explored this or had a clue what I was doing.

I spent time in sexually unfulfilling relationships being very frustrated until at the grand age of 30, I researched and experimented with different toys and can now 100% say that it is a part of my routine and leaves me feeling much more balanced and takes the pressure off my partner.

I wish I had learned more about it when I was younger and I may not have been as promiscuous in my early days.

Except that as teachers not only are we CRB checked, but well trained professionals who are well aware of the sensitivity of this particular area of the curriculum. It's not hey kids lets talk about wanking. In some schools the lesson will be done with two adults in the room to protect the teacher against an allegation usually from parents that they said something inappropriate....

I think having healthy relationships and a good consenting, shame-free sex life is a life skill. Certainly contributes hugely to happiness, wellbeing, mental health etc.

FGM should be covered earlier than Y11. Girls at risk are much younger than this. DDs school taught it at the end of year 7, informing the kids of the potential risk over the summer holiday. To be aware for younger sisters, cousins, family friends. Advice on who to contact if they had concerns.

It's not a life skill but it's important that it is discussed and that it is explained it is normal and not wrong. Likewise with FGM; awareness is critical, children may hear about something happening to a friend of theirs and need to report it.

School is not there to solely teach children about what will impact on them.

Teaching 16yo about masturbation??? They will know more than the teacher! Jokingvaside on the physical side they likely will but on how it has to be kept in moderation, its place in relationships, issues with excessive and extreme porm are things that should be covered??

Yes. I have it straight after my contact details on my CV.

Ok, I said what I said!!!!!!

Being taught how to masturbate is grim. Mentioning it's normal and why people do it is fine.

I am pleased my kids will learn about masturbation. Self care is important and they would cringe if I spoke to them about it. My own mother didn't know what the clitoris was while she was married to my dad and I feel sad for her.

I teach it via a Facts and Myths activity - the emphasis is that masturbation is normal/harmless.

In the same unit we cover the menstrual cycle, wet dreams, naming of body parts. Kids can ask factual questions and can submit anonymous questions which I may or may not answer.

The bit that causes most discussion is period products. However, I don't see why 11 and 12 year old boys should be shielded from what a wrapped tampon looks like.

Why is it grim? Its important sex education gives a full picture of a healthy relationship. Pleasure is a part of sex. If it isn’t taught as part of sex education you will have many children being taught at home or through abusive relationships that sex is dirty, shameful, to be endured not enjoyed etc, masturbation is sinful or dirty. They need factual education so they grow up with healthy attitudes to sec and their bodies.

Maybe not a lifeskill - but important nevertheless.

To dispel myths, old wives tales, sex and dirtyness etc.

I saw sex education in schools as a combination of….
adding to what parents said (if anything)
removing what had been learnt behind the bike sheds (and now online porn)
and answering questions that couldn’t be asked of parents and of what they’d heard from others.

masturbation fits into the above.

🤣🤣🤣

I know your post is a more general discussion but just to answer your title directly - yes I think masturbation is a life skill.

It’s a great skill to know what you like and be able to communicate that as needed.

I’m sure when I was growing up the average age of first female orgasm was a good bit higher than average age for first sexual intercourse.

I think I was about 11/12 when learnt it. I don't see the issue. It wasn't a main discussion just pointed out body part and where the clit was etc.

Personally I think it should be mentioned that masturbation is an excellent natural sleep aid.

@bellswithwhistles OP was talking about Yr11, not 11 year olds. So 15-16. They most certainly should be learning that they need to be considerate of their partners.

At age 11 you can keep it more basic - but given that some girls will be menstruating at that age, we shouldn't be on the 'preserving their innocence' bandwagon, if only because we need to give them the information they need to recognise when they are being groomed.

There's a reason why countries which start sex ed young, deliver it to a very high standard and keep it age appropriate throughout have lower teen pregnancy rates, higher rates of happiness and a later age of first intercourse.

Children aged 11 who shouldn't be having sex need to know this??

To be fair, if he still remembers if 6 years later it probably did its job!

Thank fuck for this. I"m reading all the comments thinking what the hell have we come to when we're encouraging adults to encourage children (11yr olds!!!) to masturbate. Simply no need. I bought a book for my 9 yr old ( was actually targeted at 8+) and ripped out the 3 pages of needless information about how it's great to masturbate. No 9 yr old needs to know this.

I think telling young people that sexual pleasure is a normal part of having a sex life is actually essential, not grim. How else are people going to learn to communicate effectively around sex and enjoy it rather than seeing it as a duty or a transaction? You don't have to go into graphic detail, but everyone should know how to have a decent orgasm and that their partner should be thinking of providing accordingly in a mutually happy sexual relationship.

'Is masturbation a life skill?'

Well, it's never helped me at a job interview.
I don't know why I bothered, I think I'll stop doing it.