1. Purpose Statement
“A Helping Hand: A College Student’s Guide to Masturbation” was created to reduce the stigma of shame associated with masturbation. Instead of relying on myth and hearsay, the aspects of masturbation are discussed openly. This presentation also strives to be as gender-neutral as possible.

2. Author Notes
I made this bulletin board originally for my sociology of sexuality class, and my professor loved it. When I became an RA, I decided to use it in my hall. As part of the project, I also made pamphlets that residents could take with them.
Be sure to change the slide on campus resources to reflect your own school or don’t use that slide.
If you have any questions or just want to let me know how the bulletin board worked in your hall, my contact information is below.
Gary Wilks
Resident Advisor, Mary Markley Hall
University of Michigan, Class of 2012

3. A College Student’s Guide to Masturbation
A Helping Hand
A College Student’s Guide to Masturbation

4. What is Masturbation?
Sexual stimulation of one’s own genitals and/or erogenous zones
Masturbation is also referred to as solitary sex and Onanism. The term Onanism comes from the story of Onan, where Onan was given the task of impregnating the widow of his brother, but he spilled his semen on the ground, which caused God to get angry and kill him. 
Masturbation is considered the first sexual orientation, and it was once considered a perverse problem met with drastic intervention. Although there is still some taboo to the topic, society is beginning to accept it as a normal sexual activity.

5. Who Masturbates? Almost everyone masturbates.
Masturbation is a very common behavior, even among people who have sexual relations with a partner.
In one national study, 95% of males and 89% of females reported that they have masturbated.
Masturbation is the first sexual act experienced by most males and females. In young children, masturbation is a normal part of the growing child's exploration of his or her body. Most people continue to masturbate in adulthood, and many do so throughout their lives.

6. Why Do People Masturbate?
In addition to feeling good, masturbation is a good way of relieving the sexual tension that can build up over time, especially for people without partners or whose partners are not willing or available for sex.
Masturbation also is a safe sexual alternative for people who wish to avoid pregnancy and the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases. It also is necessary when a man must give a semen sample for infertility testing or for sperm donation. When sexual dysfunction is present in an adult, masturbation may be prescribed by a sex therapist to allow a person to experience an orgasm (often in women) or to delay its arrival (often in men).

7. Benefits of Masturbation
Relieve stress
Relieve menstrual cramps
Help for insomnia (i.e. when a person is having trouble falling asleep)
Stimulate the immune system to help build up resistance to common infections.
Release mood elevating hormones
Reduce embarrassing spontaneous erections for teen males
Reduce the number of unwanted wet dreams for young men
Achieve sexual stimulation without the risk of STDs

8. Is Masturbation Harmful?
In general, the medical community considers masturbation to be a natural and harmless expression of sexuality for both men and women. It does not cause any physical injury or harm to the body, and can be performed in moderation throughout a person's lifetime as a part of normal sexual behavior. Some cultures and religions oppose the use of masturbation or even label it as sinful. This can lead to guilt or shame about the behavior.
Some experts suggest that masturbation can actually improve sexual health and relationships. By exploring your own body through masturbation, you can determine what is erotically pleasing to you and can share this with your partner. Some partners use mutual masturbation to discover techniques for a more satisfying sexual relationship and to add to their mutual intimacy.

9. Myth Busting It does NOT stunt your growth.
It does NOT cause blindness.
It does NOT cause deafness.
It does NOT cause stuttering.
You CANNOT die from it.
It does NOT cause you to grow hair on your palms.
It does NOT mean your child will be promiscuous as an adult.
It will NOT drive a person crazy.
It IS perfectly healthy as long as it does not interfere with relationships with friends and family, or with doing other activities.

10. Masturbation and the Roommate
Have a signal for Do Not Disturb
Talk with your roommate about putting a rubber band on the door knob or some other signal that you are in the room and do not wish to be disturbed. It also helps if you remember to lock the door.
Post your schedules
Print out your weekly schedules with the times that you know you will be out of the room. This allows the other roommate to plan accordingly.
Schedule privacy times
Have a discussion to see if there are certain times you let your roommate have some privacy and vice-versa.
Be honest and courteous
If you need the room, be able to ask your roommate if they can leave for a bit and have an agreement that they can do the same.
Lock the door
It may seem obvious, but it’s a key step.
Don’t leave a mess 
Be sure to clean up any mess. You don’t want to find anything that creates awkwardness and neither does your roommate.

11. Tips and Techniques Experiment Pornography and Fantasy
Get to know your body and what feels good to you.
Pornography and Fantasy
These are simple methods to achieve a state of arousal.
Sex Toys and Lubricants
Advanced masturbators my want to use these options to heighten their experience.

12. Masturbate for Peace http://www.masturbateforpeace.com/ Slogans:
War is silly, whack your willy
War's no joke, stop and stroke! 
War is heinous, thumb your anus  
Avoid a scuffle with the 5-knuckle shuffle
War is out, pound your trout

13. Famous Quotes
“Don't knock masturbation, it's sex with someone I love.” --Woody Allen “If God had intended for us not to masturbate, He would have made our arms shorter.” --George Carlin “The only thing about masturbation to be ashamed of is doing it badly.” --Sigmund Freud

14. Campus Resources Safe Sex Store (S3) University Health Service
1209 South University, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
University Health Service
207 Fletcher Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

15. References http://www.menstuff.org/issues/byissue/masturbation.html