Announcing World Sexual Health Day & Reframing Masturbation
Announcing World Sexual Health Day & Reframing Masturbation
bottom line: masturbation is normal, not provocative
Hello Loves ~
Did you know there was a World Sexual Health Day? Full confession: I just learned about it today— only one day late. Which, in my book, is close enough. I struggle to keep up with the calendar, and every day is a good day to improve sexual health.
Anyhoo—— I wanted to share it with all of you💫
September 4th, 2024 was World Sexual Health Day
Started in 2010 by the World Association for Sexual Health, World Sexual Health Day was started to promote awareness about sexual health around the globe.
The World Association for Sexual Health or WAS was started in 1978 . It is a global organization concerned with sexual health and rights, which works to foster human development and facilitate sexual health for all, across all stages of life.
World Sexual Health Day is now on my Google calendar.1 The theme this year is POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS.
Most Important Relationship of All: The Relationship With Yourself
I always tell students that the most essential friendship they will ever have will be with themselves. Cultivating positive self-talk and treating themselves like they treat a beloved friend or loved one is an element of overall well-being.
Being your own dearest love may (or may not) involve masturbation.
According to the World Association for Sexual Health there are 3 Pillars of Self-Love: Confidence, Mindfulness & Masturbation.
A Simple Note About Masturbation and Young Children
Please know that some many children explore their sexual genitalia and discover masturbation. Sometimes, when children stimulate themselves, it can alarm or trigger adults. Totally understandable. It’s helpful to take a moment to let the shock and discomfort disperse a bit while reminding ourselves that masturbation is part of developing a positive relationship with the self. 2 Pleasure is part of a healthy human experience.
A good rule of thumb is to focus on the word PRIVACY. When we let children know, they may explore their private bodies in a private place, then they learn boundaries and do not feel shame.
In our home, I acknowledge and redirect child self-stimulation like this:
“It looks like you might like to have some private time? Remember, it’s ok for you to explore your private parts, but that needs to be done in private.” “You can go to the bathroom or your bedroom.” Something simple and to the point. NBD.
Masturbation is not a sin. It’s not bad, nor unhealthy. Culture has saddled many of us with shame over masturbation, but with each little educational “win,” we can change the narrative.
Thank you for being here. I welcome any thoughts.
xo
Tara
International Day of Peace is on September 21st each year. It is another obscure but excellent day to recognize.
While in our bodies, as an adult observing a child, we may experience visceral disgust and alarm taught to us by a culture of taboo. Again, it is a natural reaction. In my head, I repeat, omg, omg… and take deep breaths. Also, try not to laugh or shame as a knee-jerk reaction.