I would definitely always leave it on. How else would I know when I needed that release of tension and sexual energy? How would I know when I need to be giving to myself in that fundamental way? It's like asking if I would like a switch to turn off hunger: if I turned off that indicator of need, I'd get cranky, fatigued, and eventually pass out. Or what if I had a switch to turn off nerve endings to pain? I wouldn't realize it if I were wounded, so I wouldn't know to take care of myself, and it would get infected. Self-pleasure is self-care; there are lots more reasons going on inside of me to masturbate than the obvious sexual arousal. I think it's somehow primally instinctively comforting, nourishing, relieving, stress-reducing, even healing — although these are experienced on a semi-conscious or even subconscious level. Consciously, it's sexual expression, but I think it runs a lot deeper than that.
- age 29, Pennsylvania (female)
Off. The urge often gets in my way of trying to get things done. It seems like the best thing to do is just to go masturbate and then get on with business, but that's not always convenient if I'm at work, or at a movie, or in my car, etc. I feel like a slave to it sometimes, so I'd probably leave it off until convenient times.
- age 55, New York
Mine would be on most of the time. I wouldn't want to give up something I enjoy. I really don't see any reason to turn it off.
- age 16, Washington
I am married. When my wife and I go through periods when we don't have sex, I masturbate about once a week. When we have sex, I'm naturally that much more turned on, so I masturbate about once a day. I would leave that switch on — not all the time, but definitely most!
- age 26, Colorado
I'd have to say leave it on. The only reason I can see that I'd turn it off would be the fact that I'd never have to worry about being seen with an erection in school again! Besides that, the urge to masturbate is great. It gives me something to look forward to when I go to bed. Everyone has the urge to masturbate (at least us guys), and I couldn't see any reason to take that away.
- age 16, Ohio
I'd never turn it off. I like the feeling of getting an erection in the middle of the day. It's also spontaneous; sometimes you just get horny and you masturbate. That is always the best.
- age 18, Illinois
I'd have to say "off." Those urges come at the wrong times sometimes (like in the shower at the 'Y'). I'd leave it off until I got somewhere I could masturbate and not worry about getting caught, beaten up, or arrested! Then I would flip that baby on and go to town!
- age 27, Ohio
I'd turn it off, because I could get my homework done, my dog could go for walks, I could clean my room, I could unlock my door for a change, I could save my parents money on their water bill, I wouldn't go through boxes and boxes of Kleenex, my dirty socks could go straight to the hamper. My kid brother wouldn't ask, "What are you doing?" But most of all, maybe I could have time to get a girlfriend and not have to do it all by myself!
- age 15, Texas
In a way, we do have that switch. It's called our brain. If we think about masturbation all the time, we are turning our switch on to the need. If we force ourselves to think of other things, then the switch is turned off to the need to masturbate. Personally, I keep mine turned on most of the time. *grin*
- age 28, Texas
I think I would do better in school if I could turn it off, because I find myself in boring classes looking at girls and getting lost in sexual daydreams.
- age 17, Pennsylvania
I would leave it on all the time. Why would I not want all the ecstatic pleasure involved with all of this? It is the only thing on earth I don't want turned off!
- age 21, Illinois
I would probably end up fiddling with the switch until it broke, so do you think that would leave me impotent, or what?
- age 15, Oregon
On! There's no feeling like the urge to masturbate. It's one of the greatest physical feelings on earth, next to the orgasm itself!
- age 19, Virginia
I would leave it on for most of the time but switch it off every once in a while to "save electricity." Masturbation feels way too good to stop, but sometimes it's necessary to take a break. I'd have to have a guarantee, though, that my switch would go back on, because I'd go crazy if I blew a fuse!
- age 15, Ohio
I would definitely leave it on. Life without some fun a few times during the day would be a drag.
- age 35, UK (female)
I would probably leave it off, only turning it on when I had the time. An urge to masturbate can be pretty powerful. If I had that switched on all the time, I think it would be difficult to get anything done.
- age 17, California
If the switch were off, how would I ever know to turn it back on again? I'm taking no chances — leave the libido running full bore. The occasional frustration will only heighten the next masturbation session.
- age 32, Montana
It seems my switch is permanently on! If I really had a switch, I'd probably alternate it. Sometimes being horny and wanting to masturbate is impractical and embarrassing (swimming pools, math class, fancy dinner) — but when you're at home or bored or just want to do it, having it on is great! I'd have it on most of the time at home, but in public I'd have it off. It really depends on the situation.
- age 16, Australia
I'd leave it off, but it would be a cool thing to have. A turbo-on option would be cool, too.
- age 20, New Hampshire
Off, mostly. Sure, I really like masturbating, but it'd be really nice to control when I wanted to do it. I'd turn it on pretty regularly, but if I left it on all the time it would get frustrating. So I'd probably just turn it on when I had time or privacy.
- age 17, Oregon (female)
I think although it can be a hassle sometimes, I wouldn't shut it off. It's natural after all. But there are times when I would like to shut off the urge, like when I try to get some from the wife and she rejects me. If I could shut it off, I would be able to give her a little of her own medicine when she wants to have sex. But of course, a man can't say no. Boo hoo!
- age 26, Minnesota
I would leave it off for a long time, because when I switched it back on, it would be like the first time.
- age 15, Scotland
Off — because I'm busy and I'm not obsessed with masturbating or anything. Also, I think having it on all the time would be a hassle. What could you get done? Well...besides that!
- age 18, Michigan
I would probably keep it off, because I would still need to do it twice a day! If I kept it on all the time I would never get out of the house!
- age 26, Washington
I would leave it on. I enjoy masturbation, and it causes no harm to anyone or anything. It seems that controlling masturbation is a big issue for some people but it should not be. If you enjoy it, then do it. If you feel guilty or bad about it, then maybe do it only when you really need relief. Why would you want a switch anyway? This is the way God made you. Be happy about His work, and enjoy who you are.
- age 28, Canada
To me, masturbation is synonymous with human sexuality in its most basic form. To take that away, to any extent, would be a shame. To answer the question, I would leave the switch on most of the time, turning it off when I am engaging in an activity in which the urge to masturbate would be disturbing. After all, masturbation is only as harmful as the extent to which the individual engaging in it believes it is "wrong" — so why do away with a harmless and pleasurable experience?
- age 18, New Hampshire
Off! Definitely! I have masturbated ever since I can remember. I stopped for a couple of years (my God, it was hard — but I could control the urge). I eventually started up again, and I felt really ashamed of myself and I still do. I know it's natural, but you can't help feeling like crap when you let your emotions act without the benefit of intellect jumping in the way and saying, "What do you think you're doing?" I currently think of sex all the time. I mean ALL THE TIME! I try to picture what the girl who walked past me in the mall looks like naked, even the ugly girl behind the counter asking for my order. This happens all the time, and it increases the urge to masturbate. I know that doing this with all the women only adds fuel to my fire, but, my God, I love women. I have prayed there was a way to flip the switch and get the thing "disconnected."
- age 27, Indiana
I would leave it on. In fact, I would set it to high. I don't have a girlfriend with whom I can have sex, so masturbating is my only sexual release to keep me from going absolutely bonkers. I always masturbate at night and dream about having sex with some of the good looking women at work (that sound you hear is my tongue dragging on the floor).
- age 51, Colorado
What a hard question to answer! I suppose most of the time I would leave it off — just because I have a full-time job that requires the use of my hands. Before or after work, and especially on weekends — well, I just wish I had a switch that could be left on all the time.
- age 24, Canada
I would leave it off if I was in a relationship, because I would want to devote all of my sexual energy to my partner.
- age 24, Ohio
I would definitely turn the switch off most of the time. You don't know how many times I've walked around school with an erection because I was thinking about masturbating. I can play it off well, but I'm still very uncomfortable.
- age 14, North Carolina
If I had such a switch, there would have be a damn good reason for me to turn it off! I recently got divorced and have not had sex for almost a year; masturbating has helped me to maintain my sanity and helped to keep my sexual prowess alive. Actually, I can maintain an erection for a lot longer these days. Thanks to masturbation, I now have the confidence to go all night!
- age 31, Alabama
This is one of the dumbest questions you've ever put in here. Who cares? Since we don't have such a switch, we don't know, do we?
- age 14, New York
Off. Why? Because masturbating is like watching TV: both are fun, but both take up a considerable amount of time I could use for more productive things. If there were such a switch, I'd turn it on only once or twice during the week. Of course, on the weekends I'd probably leave it on all the time.
- age 22, Texas
I think the answer would depend on what type of situation you were in. If you were in an environment that regarded masturbation as a sin, I would leave it off, so as to fit in with the group. However, any other time, the switch would be jammed in the "on" position. I'm sure the majority of boys my age have it there.
- age 15, California
I would leave my masturbation switch on most of the time. Masturbation is something I can do anytime I am sexually aroused. It's something I can do without a partner, and it's something I can do with a partner. I can do it at my own pace. Although I like other sexual activity, masturbation is my favorite. It's a way I can treat myself. Therefore my masturbation switch needs to be on most of the time. In fact, I think I would leave it on all the time.
- age 58, Washington
I would leave the switch on. I think if my arousal and interest levels were always high, I could achieve orgasm more quickly. I might understand that urgency men seem to have. I rarely reach that point when I just have to climax, and it might be an exciting thing to experience.
- age 20, Pennsylvania (female)
I would leave it off, because when I masturbate, I feel guilty afterwards. Now I even feel worse, since I have read the Rants on your Web site.
- age 15, Florida
My switch would be turned off for the first 14-16 hours of the day, and then turned to "high" for the rest of the day. This would let me concentrate on work and activities I had during the day and still enjoy the pleasures and tension release of masturbation and sex during those hours when I was free to play. Being a healthy, heterosexual male, I have sexual fantasies and thoughts bombarding my mind and life constantly. Although I love it, it would be nice to shut it down for a while so I could use that energy for other things. (Sublimate it like the great artists.)
- age 35, California
My first response was, "Are you kidding? Of course I'd leave it on all the time!" But then what about while I'm at work, out with people, and so on? So I guess outside it will be off but I'd celebrate at home.
- age 28, Israel
I would leave it off most of the time, or else I would never get any work done. Although masturbation is unsurpassed as a pastime, the daily work schedule must be observed or we'll all be on welfare.
- age 34, Pennsylvania
If I had such a switch, I don't think I would ever use it. I masturbate two times a day, and it is so much a habit now (I've been doing it religiously since I was 10) that to stop would be very difficult, even with a switch. Besides, why would I want to quit doing something that feels so good? If I want to masturbate, I masturbate — just like if I want a drink of water, I get a drink of water.
- age 23, Michigan
I'd turn it off! My boyfriend and I are both trying desperately to stop masturbating for religious reasons. In our religion, masturbation — and even voicing sexual thoughts (phone sex) or even some sexual thoughts — are considered a sin. It'd be so much easier if I could just turn off those urges until I'm married and it isn't a sin anymore.
- age 16, Georgia (female)
I would leave the switch on. A person's sexuality is important and shouldn't be stifled. It is important to know about the body and its functions with pleasure; it's something only you, yourself, can give. Too many people don't understand their sexuality, and this a great way to explore it!
- age 29, Illinois
Do you find yourself masturbating more often during some seasons than others? Why?
Answer this question | Suggest a question
Answer this question | Suggest a question
IF YOU HAD A SWITCH THAT CONTROLLED YOUR URGE TO MASTURBATE, WOULD YOU LEAVE IT ON OR OFF MOST OF THE TIME?
[Notes: About three-quarters of the responses said "on," and one-quarter said "off." Many younger readers replied "On — I love to masturbate!" or something to that effect. But others caught on to the slightly more complicated nature of the question. The hypothetical "switch" would be your way to shut off your sexual desire at times when it wasn't convenient. However, a few highly perceptive responses pointed out that sexual desire is part of humanity, and doing anything to reduce it would be reducing your humanity. An interesting collection of responses this week.]