I’m sure it’s something you can relate to – being a teenage boy and discovering the art of self-pleasure, also known as masturbating. With all the hormones going haywire it’s no wonder we all go through this. As a young black male I certainly wasn’t exempt from this discovery.
At first I was embarrassed and frightened. I had heard all the horror stories and all the things people had done that were supposedly wrong. I didn’t realize that feeling guilty or embarrassed was just part of the journey. I mean, it literally comes with the territory, doesn’t it?
So as a naive, naive teen what did I do? I kept quiet about it, of course. No one knew what I was doing or Penis Rings what I was feeling and I certainly didn’t want to talk about it. I think a lot of teenagers go through this phase but I think it’s especially true for black men. We’re expected to be strong and confident and ready to take on the world. We don’t really talk about the stuff going on in our heads or in our bedrooms.
Luckily, with age came more open-mindedness and more acceptance of talking about taboo topics. I still remember the first time I told a friend about my secret activity. He just laughed and said, sex dolls ‘Dude, don’t worry about it. Everyone masturbates. It doesn’t matter who you are.’ That really made me feel better. So much better, in fact, that soon after I started talking openly about it with my friends.
It became a joke, but it was a joke that brought us closer together. We talked about all sorts of experiences – the good, the bad, and the awkward. This was a huge breakthrough for me. Having people to talk to about personal things made me feel seen, heard, and understood.
Once I realized that talking about masturbation didn’t make me any less of a man, I started to be more open and honest. I could talk about it in a lighthearted way instead of feeling ashamed and embarrassed. That helped me express the feelings I had been having for so long. It felt good to be able to talk about this without feeling judged.
I’ve come to understand that this journey is a part of growing up as a black male. Everyone has their own experience with masturbation and it’s okay to be open and honest about it. So if you’re a young black male going through this – don’t worry! You’re not alone. We have all been there. Everyone’s experience is different, but it’s nothing to be ashamed of.