Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 3: Analysis of the Sexual Impulse; Love and Pain; The Sexual Impulse in WomenEllis, Havelock
Science
Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 3: Analysis of the Sexual Impulse; Love and Pain; The Sexual Impulse in Women
Ellis, Havelock
Sex; Sex (Psychology)
"In reviewing these phases of the development of my sexual life,
one or two conclusions seem to me to be strongly emphasized. It
was unfortunate that the real sexual desire was aroused as early
and in the manner that it was. Whether this would have been
prevented by more definite education in the hygiene and the
purpose of the function, I can only conjecture. I believe that
mine was and is the common experience of boys. I am decidedly of
the opinion that there should be instruction given of the anatomy
of the genital organs and of the hygiene of intercourse, and this
shortly after the youth has reached puberty. How this is to be
done is a grave question. It will require tact and knowledge not
possessed by the average teacher and parent. However it is done,
it should be honest, frank, and free from piosity.
"I am certain that, in my own case, rather frequent intercourse
is decidedly beneficial. Any prolonged abstinence always brings
about the same nervous disturbances that I have referred to
above. It is fortunate for me that this repetition of the act is
satisfactory to both concerned."
HISTORY XVIII.--E.W., dentist, aged 32, of New England Puritan
stock. Height, 5 ft. 10½ in.; weight, 144 lbs. Spare and active,
of nervobilious temperament.
"My earliest recollection is being punished for 'playing with
myself' when I could not have been more than 3 or 4 years of age.
I distinctly remember my exultation on discovering that I could
excite myself (while my hands were tied behind my back for
punishment) by rubbing my small but erect penis against the
carpet while lying on my stomach. At this time, of course, I knew
nothing of sex or of what I was doing. I did what my desires and
instincts at that time prompted me to do. However, punishments
and lectures failed utterly to break up this habit, and, though I
always wished and tried faithfully to obey my parents, I soon
grew to indulge quietly in bed when I was thought to be asleep.
The matter apparently passed out of the minds of my parents as
soon as they ceased to detect me further in the act, and they
regarded it as abandoned. I now feel reasonably certain that this
precocity was due to an adherent foreskin which covered the glans
tightly almost to the meatus, and so kept up a continual
irritation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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