No Nut November: Needed? Or Just Nuts?

Abstract

This blog-style paper written for PSYC333 concerns the rampant misinformation regarding the safe and healthy sexual practices of masturbation, informed by research regarding masculinity, masturbation, and health. In today's society, especially amongst adolescents and young adults, the idea of “No Nut November,” amongst other trends where masturbation is discouraged, runs rampant and is a very common source of this misinformation. In this paper, the problematic roots of No Nut November are addressed, and the broader harmful implications of this misleading information are discussed. Previous research done regarding abstaining from masturbation is reviewed to demonstrate that masturbation has been empirically proven to have great health benefits, and little to no disadvantages. Research regarding the clinical benefits of abstaining from masturbation, is reviewed to illustrate that there have been no empirical findings to indicate that any significant clinical benefits can be yielded from abstaining from masturbation. The paper discusses the implications of these findings; shaming people for these healthy and natural sexual behaviors contributes to severe emotional and physical harm-especially when it concerns adolescents. This is a narrative that needs to be recognized as more than an internet joke, especially on campus; the first step to combatting it is to educate those most susceptible to harm.