Boys generally first ejaculate between the ages of 10 and 13 years and an authority on the physiological benefits of masturbation, James Weinrich states that: “experiments in primates show that if this sexual rehearsal play is interfered with, the result can be an adult who cannot or does not function sexually as well as other individuals who were permitted such play” (Sexual Landscapes, p. 244). The result of limiting masturbation or other sexual rituals compromises one’s acceptance of oneself, therefore causing those individuals to be less comfortable with expressing or acting upon their sexuality than others who were not denied this right.
Self-discovery is part of becoming accustomed to who we are as an individual. Babies begin to explore the world through touch. Naturally one of the most important and easiest parts of the world to discover is the self and investigating the plumbing, so to speak, is a normal and essential part of self discovery. Masturbation is simply an extension of self-discovery, a process that is as natural as taking biology 201 classes after biology 101. On a physiological level masturbation is pleasurable as a result of direct genital stimulation and also because masturbation stimulates the section of the brain associated with self-preservation instincts, which automatically rewards survival-affiliated activities with immense pleasure.