Onanism

Abstract

Since Masters and Johnson, masturbation has become a kind of touchstone of sexual gratification. Human Sexual Response (1966) and their follow-up volume, Human Sexual Inadequacy (1970) were both decidedly products of the 1960s. Although once accurately described as “two of the worst written books in the English language”, these monographs helped create modern attitudes towards sexuality, and offered liberal western individuals blessed release from the guilt that playing with themselves might be harmful, or worse.