Adolescence is the moment when the young boy (girl) discovers sexuality. What he (she) likes, the sensations of his body, and masturbation is one of them. Parents who walk into their bedroom or bathroom without knocking are going to have to rethink their habits, as these teens need privacy. It is normal that at this age, they think about it, they test, and exchange information on sexuality.

For several centuries, masturbation has been criminalized by religious education. Anything directly or indirectly related to sexuality, including masturbation, was considered dirty and prohibited outside marriage. The sexual act was useful for procreation, but the word pleasure was not part of the term.

The sexual liberation of May 68 freed the bodies and masturbation became again a natural practice, of discovery of the body and of sexuality. For both women and men. It is important to remember this because in recent years female pleasure had been put aside.

Sex education classes at school give very brief information. “We talk about procreation, genitalia, anatomy, but sexuality is much more” specifies Andrea Cauchoix, Love coach. Adolescents therefore find themselves exchanging undercover information often taken from pornographic films that do not evoke pleasure, love, respect for their partner.

“At all ages, it is not easy to talk about sex with your parents, even less in adolescence”. Parents have a role to play first of all from early childhood. When the little boy or girl begins to “touch” and he (she) discovers that some areas are more pleasant than others. “Above all, you shouldn’t stop them or tell them it’s dirty. On the contrary, it is proof of good mental health and development. At 4/5 years old, they are able to understand that it must be done when they are alone ”. Children can quickly think of masturbation as something forbidden and negative if they are scolded.

“Without being too intrusive, parents can simply signal the teenager that if he (she) has any questions or problems, they are there to talk about it.” This simple sentence can demystify masturbation and show that this subject is not taboo.

The “American pie” films are a good example of a father who tries to dialogue with his teenager who uses apple pies to masturbate. He is very embarrassed when his father brings up the subject, but when he grows up he realizes how lucky he was to have a father who listened.

When you type in the keywords girl masturbation on search engines, unfortunately pornographic sites appear first.

However, children’s literature offers interesting works. For pre-teens, “the guide to sexual zizi” new edition by Hélène Bruller and Zep, the designer of the famous “Titeuf” is the reference, funny and educational. But there is also “Sexperience” by IsabelleFILLIOZAT and Margot FRIED-FILLIOZAT, Le Grand Livre de la puberty by Catherine SOLANO, The Sexuality of Girls Explained to Dummies by Marie Golotte and many others.

This taboo around female masturbation perpetuates the ignorance of young girls with regard to their bodies. It limits pleasure to sexual relations with a partner, and adolescent girls discover pleasure only through this. The vulva, clitoris, anus, vagina, etc. All these words are only mentioned during the period, or the consultation with a gynecologist. What about fun without all of that?

It is important to know that a lot of women masturbate. This is completely normal and not at all wacky.

According to an IFOP survey, conducted for the magazine Female pleasure, with 913 women, aged 18 and over. 74% of those questioned in 2017 said they had already masturbated.

By comparison, only 19% said the same thing in the 70s.

On the men’s side, 73% of men announced in the past that they had already touched themselves against 95% today.

About 41% of French women say they have masturbated at least once in the three months preceding the survey. For 19%, the last time was over a year ago and 25% say they have never caressed in their life.

A still rare survey, which shows how important information is to young girls in order to lift the taboo, still present, on female masturbation.