There is more to sex and human sexuality than recreational pleasure

Editor:

I am writing in disagreement of Mark Goldenson's recent column ("The truth of masturbation - Why are we being so blind?" Friday) extolling masturbation and deriding the "blind" who do not condone it. On a holistic level, masturbation is seldom, if ever, a "healthy act by healthy people." It exploits sexuality for the sole purpose of momentarily pleasing oneself, instead of using it to enhance the intimacy of a committed relationship. Without this unitive aspect, the sexual pleasure derived from masturbation is intrinsically empty.

As long as it does not consume or manipulate us, sexuality is a beautiful aspect of human life. By caving in to the base desire to gratify ourselves sexually through masturbation, we are allowing our sexuality to control us. We become tools of our carnal desires rather than masters of them, and our ability to show concern and compassion for others is jeopardized. If one fails to view himself or herself as more than walking genitals, it is difficult to view other people as more than that as well (especially those whom one finds attractive). Furthermore, masturbation fundamentally opposes the notion that there is more meaning in sex and human sexuality than recreational pleasure.

Society's acceptance of something may make it "normal," but only the naÑve would argue that this necessarily makes something good. "Facing the sexual plagues before us" involves unconditional concern for one another, not isolated self-indulgent sexual hedonism as Goldenson purports. This letter is not intended to be a condemnation of those who masturbate, and I hope it is not interpreted as such; I simply wanted to illuminate some of the negative aspects of this act. I do not agree with "anti-masturbation" devices or "Puritanism." Sexuality is fundamentally a matter of self-control. And by "self-control," I do not mean repression of our sexual feelings (which is unhealthy), but a redirection of this passion and energy toward purposes higher than fleeting self-gratification, such as loving others more than oneself.

By Jeremy J. Loverich
Arizona Daily Wildcat
May 1, 1997