Autoeroticism

Last updated

The Muse, autoeroticism in art, modeled by Nina Longshadow at Opus Themuse.jpg
The Muse, autoeroticism in art, modeled by Nina Longshadow at Opus

Autoeroticism (also known as autoerotism or self-gratification) [1] [2] is sexual activity involving only one participant. [3] It is the use of one's own body and mind to stimulate oneself sexually.

Contents

As an extension of masturbation, it usually means one of several activities done by oneself to fulfill their own sexual desire. Masturbation has a similar meaning, but is not synonymous; masturbation is only physical stimulation of the genitals by oneself [4] while autoeroticism encompasses all stimulation by oneself (masturbation or sexual thoughts), as well as involuntary experiences (wet dreams or spontaneous sexual arousal).

The term was popularized toward the end of the 19th century by British sexologist Havelock Ellis, who defined autoeroticism as "the phenomenon of spontaneous sexual emotion generated in the absence of an external stimulus proceeding, directly or indirectly, from another person". [5]

Autosexuality is a similar term, which is a sexuality for oneself, and is usually accompanied by autoerotic activities such as masturbation or sexually fantasizing about oneself. [6]

The mere act of autoeroticism does not mean a person is autosexual. [7] For example, masturbation is done nearly universally, regardless of someone's gender or sexuality. It can be directed at oneself, but can also be used to sleep, relieve stress, or release sexual tension when a partner is either unavailable or does not consent to sex. However, masturbation or other autoerotic practices might be a factor in deciding one's sexuality. For example, while sexual fantasy about the same sex might be a sign of being gay, [8] it is not uncommon for heterosexual people to have homosexual fantasies.

Terminology and concept

As previously stated, the term autoeroticism is a physical or emotional act done to satisfy one's own sexual desires ("self-gratification"). Although masturbation is the most common autoerotic action, and is sometimes used as a synonym for autoeroticism, it is not the only autoerotic activity. The term autoeroticism usually includes masturbation, sexual fantasy, and sexual emotions arising without external cause, which are all maintained by the self.

Autosexuality, on the other hand, is a sexual orientation towards oneself, and is closely related, albeit not identical, to autoeroticism. An autosexual person may engage in masturbation, possibly while looking in a mirror. [7]

In 1977, a scientist named Myra T. Johnson authored a paper titled Asexual and Autoerotic Women: Two Invisible Groups, contrasting the notions of autosexuality and asexuality:

"The asexual woman ... has no sexual desires at all [but] the autoerotic woman ... recognizes such desires but prefers to satisfy them alone." Johnson's evidence is mostly letters to the editor found in women's magazines written by autoerotic/asexual women. She portrays them as invisible, "oppressed by a consensus that they are nonexistent," and left behind by both the sexual revolution and the feminist movement. Society either ignores or denies their existence or insists they must be ascetic for religious reasons, neurotic, or asexual for political reasons. [9]

Self-stimulation

Masturbation is the most popular autoerotic practice. There are many techniques used to masturbate, like manual stimulation or using everyday objects.

For some people, sex toys such as dildos, vibrators, masturbators, anal beads and Sybian machines can be helpful for this form of autoeroticism. Stimulation with the mouth is significantly harder to achieve; proof of autocunnilingus is incredibly slim [10] but autofellatio is thought to occur in less than 1% of the male population, [11] possibly because of the physical flexibility required to perform it.

Another activity is sexual fantasy, which is imagining a sexual experience while one is awake. Because it doesn't involve any stimulation other than a person's mind, it is an autoerotic activity. It can be used to envision sex that might not be possible due to legal (e.g. one's age), religious (e.g. religious where premarital sex isn't allowed), or natural reasons (e.g. sex with a mythical creature or other things that can be impossible in the real world.) Depending on age or gender, these fantasies may be more or less explicit.

Sexual fantasy may also be done during masturbation, which could enhance said activity without the downsides of pornography or other media, although it might be less stimulating and more difficult to accomplish.

Criticism and controversies

Some people, for religious or personal reasons, disapprove of autoeroticism on moral grounds. [12] For example, masturbation is considered a sin by the Roman Catholic Church. [13] Teaching adolescents about masturbation remains controversial in some parts of the world. For example, in the USA in 1994, President Bill Clinton fired Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders in part because she advocated teaching about masturbation in schools as a way of preventing teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. [14]

Safety

A few autoerotic practices are considered unsafe, and sometimes even lead to death. [15] These include autoerotic asphyxiation and self-bondage. The potential for injury or even death that exists while engaging in these practices rather than the partnered versions (erotic asphyxiation and bondage, respectively) becomes drastically increased due to the isolation and lack of assistance in the event of a problem.

In other animal species

Autoerotic behavior has been observed in many species, both in the wild and in captivity. Individuals of some species, such as apes and dolphins, have been known to create tools for autoerotic purposes.

Increase of autoeroticism during COVID-19 pandemic

Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent worldwide lockdown starting in March 2020, there was an increase in autoerotic sexual practices of 40% according to a study done by the International Journal of Impotence Research. [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human sexual activity</span> Manner in which humans engage sexually

Human sexual activity, human sexual practice or human sexual behaviour is the manner in which humans experience and express their sexuality. People engage in a variety of sexual acts, ranging from activities done alone to acts with another person in varying patterns of frequency, for a wide variety of reasons. Sexual activity usually results in sexual arousal and physiological changes in the aroused person, some of which are pronounced while others are more subtle. Sexual activity may also include conduct and activities which are intended to arouse the sexual interest of another or enhance the sex life of another, such as strategies to find or attract partners, or personal interactions between individuals. Sexual activity may follow sexual arousal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sexual fetishism</span> Sexual arousal a person receives from an object or situation

Sexual fetishism or erotic fetishism is a sexual fixation on an object or a body part. The object of interest is called the fetish; the person who has a fetish is a fetishist. A sexual fetish may be regarded as a mental disorder if it causes significant psychosocial distress for the person or has detrimental effects on important areas of their life. Sexual arousal from a particular body part can be further classified as partialism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asexuality</span> Lack of sexual attraction to others

Asexuality is the lack of sexual attraction to others, or low or absent interest in or desire for sexual activity. It may be considered a sexual orientation or the lack thereof. It may also be categorized more widely, to include a broad spectrum of asexual sub-identities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autofellatio</span> Act of oral stimulation of ones own penis

Autofellatio is a form of masturbation involving the oral stimulation of one's own penis. Only a limited number of males are physically capable of performing fellatio on themselves due to the flexibility required.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sexual fantasy</span> Class of mental image or pattern of thought

A sexual fantasy or erotic fantasy is an autoerotic mental image or pattern of thought that stirs a person's sexuality and can create or enhance sexual arousal. A sexual fantasy can be created by the person's imagination or memory, and may be triggered autonomously or by external stimulation such as erotic literature or pornography, a physical object, or sexual attraction to another person. Anything that may give rise to sexual arousal may also produce a sexual fantasy, and sexual arousal may in turn give rise to fantasies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sexual stimulation</span> Anything that causes a sexual response

Sexual stimulation is anything that leads to sexual arousal or orgasm. This thing can be physical or of other senses, and is known as a stimulus.

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), hyposexuality, or inhibited sexual desire (ISD) is sometimes considered a sexual dysfunction, and is characterized as a lack or absence of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity, as judged by a clinician. For this to be regarded as a disorder, it must cause marked distress or interpersonal difficulties and not be better accounted for by another mental disorder, a drug, or some other medical condition. A person with ISD will not start, or respond to their partner's desire for, sexual activity. HSDD affects approximately 10% of all pre-menopausal women in the United States, or about 6 million women, 1.5% of men and an unstudied amount of gender non-conforming people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edging (sexual practice)</span> Orgasm control technique

Edging, sometimes also referred to as gooning or surfing, is a sexual technique whereby an orgasm is controlled. It is practiced alone or with a partner and involves the maintenance of a high level of sexual arousal for an extended period without reaching climax. Orgasm control involves either sex partner being in control of the other partner's orgasm, or a person delaying their own orgasm during sexual activity with a partner or through masturbation. Any method of sexual stimulation can be used to experience controlled orgasm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anal masturbation</span> Sexual stimulation of ones own anus

Anal masturbation is an autoerotic practice in which a person masturbates by sexually stimulating their own anus and rectum. Common methods of anal masturbation include manual stimulation of the anal opening and the insertion of an object or objects. Items inserted may be sex toys such as anal beads, butt plugs, dildos, vibrators, or specially designed prostate massagers or enemas.

Erotic asphyxiation is the intentional restriction of oxygen to the brain for the purposes of sexual arousal. With a partner, the act often involves strangulation. The term autoerotic asphyxiation is used when the act is done by a person to themself. Colloquially, a person engaging in the activity is sometimes called a gasper. Erotic asphyxiation can lead to accidental death due to asphyxia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erotic humiliation</span> Consensual use of humiliation in a sexual context

Erotic humiliation or sexual humiliation is a consensual psychological humiliation performed in order to produce erotic excitement or sexual arousal. This can be for either the person(s) being humiliated and demeaned or the person(s) humiliating, or both. It is sometimes performed before spectators, including through pornography and webcam modeling. It may be part of BDSM and other sexual roleplay, or accompanied by the sexual stimulation of the genitals of one or both parties in the activity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Non-penetrative sex</span> Sexual activity that usually excludes penetration

Non-penetrative sex or outercourse is sexual activity that usually does not include sexual penetration, but some forms, particularly when termed outercourse, include penetrative aspects, that may result from forms of fingering or oral sex. It generally excludes the penetrative aspects of vaginal, anal, or oral sex, but includes various forms of sexual and non-sexual activity, such as frottage, manual sex, mutual masturbation, kissing, or hugging.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masturbation</span> Sexual stimulation of ones own genitals

Masturbation is a form of autoeroticism in which a person sexually stimulates their own genitals for sexual arousal or other sexual pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm. Stimulation may involve use of hands, everyday objects, sex toys, or more rarely, the mouth. Masturbation may also be performed with a sex partner, either masturbating together or watching the other partner masturbate and this is known as "Mutual Masturbation".

Human sexuality covers a broad range of topics, including the physiological, psychological, social, cultural, political, philosophical, ethical, moral, theological, legal and spiritual or religious aspects of sex and human sexual behavior.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of masturbation</span>

The history of masturbation describes broad changes in society concerning the ethics, social attitudes, scientific study, and artistic depiction of masturbation over the history of sexuality.

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to human sexuality:

Analloeroticism is having no sexual interests in other people. Anil Aggrawal considers it distinct from asexuality and defines the latter as the lack of a sex drive. Analloerotics are unattracted to female or male partners, but not necessarily devoid of all sexual behaviour.

Christian views on masturbation are derived from the teachings of the Bible and the Church Fathers. Christian denominations have varying positions on masturbation, with some denominations viewing it as sinful and other churches viewing it as a healthy expression of God-given human sexuality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autocunnilingus</span> Rare act of oral stimulation of ones own vulva

Autocunnilingus is a form of masturbation involving the oral stimulation of one's own vulva. Performing cunnilingus on oneself requires an unusually high degree of flexibility such as that of contortionists or double-jointed people.

"Civilized" Sexual Morality and Modern Nervous Illness is an article published by Sigmund Freud in 1908, in the journal Sexual-Probleme.

References

  1. ↑ "'I'm autosexual and I fancy myself more than other people'". BBC Three . 16 May 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  2. ↑ "What Is Autosexual?". WebMD . Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  3. ↑ "Medical Definition of AUTOEROTISM". merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  4. ↑ "Dictionary.com | Meanings & Definitions of English Words". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  5. ↑ Lagache, Daniel; Laplanche, Jean (1988). The language of psycho-analysis. London: Karnac Books. p. 45. ISBN   0-946439-49-4.
  6. ↑ "Autosexuality: What it means to be autosexual". www.medicalnewstoday.com. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  7. 1 2 "Autosexuality: What it means to be autosexual". www.medicalnewstoday.com. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  8. ↑ "Why have I started fantasizing about women when I've only ever liked men? | Go Ask Alice!". goaskalice.columbia.edu. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  9. ↑ "Asexul and Autoerotic Women: Two Invisible Groups" found in ed. Gochros, H.L.; J.S. Gochros (1977). The Sexually Oppressed. Associated Press. ISBN   978-0-8096-1915-3
  10. ↑ Liggio, Fernando (2010). "Trattato moderno di psicopatologia della sessualità" - "Modern treatise on the psychopathology of sexuality". Biblioteca Universitaria. p. 65. ISBN   978-8-86292-023-0 . Retrieved 19 October 2023.(in Italian)
  11. ↑ William Guy; Michael H. P. Finn (1954). "A Review of Autofellatio: A Psychological Study of Two New Cases". Psychoanalytic Review (41): 354–358.
  12. ↑ Capps, Donald (2003). "From Masturbation to Homosexuality: A Case of Displaced Moral Disapproval" . Pastoral Psychology. 51 (4). Springer: 249–272. doi:10.1023/A:1022531614396. S2CID   141206226 . Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  13. ↑ "II. The Vocation to Chastity, 2352". Catechism of the Catholic Church, part 3, section 2, chapter 2, article 6. The Holy See. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  14. ↑ Duffy, Michael (19 December 1994). "Getting Out the Wrecking Ball". Time. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2007.
  15. ↑ Turvey, Brent E. "An Objective Overview of Autoerotic Fatalities". Corpus Delicti. Archived from the original on 15 March 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2006.
  16. ↑ Cocci, Andrea; Giunti, Daniel; Tonioni, Camilla; Cacciamani, Giovanni; Tellini, Riccardo; Polloni, Gaia; Cito, Gianmartin; Presicce, Fabrizio; Di Mauro, Marina; Minervini, Andrea; Cimino, Sebastiano (September 2020). "Love at the time of the Covid-19 pandemic: preliminary results of an online survey conducted during the quarantine in Italy". International Journal of Impotence Research. 32 (5): 556–557. doi:10.1038/s41443-020-0305-x. ISSN   0955-9930. PMC   7221326 . PMID   32409643.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Autoeroticism at Wikimedia Commons

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.