The most common ways people originally found JackinWorld, besides just "surfing the Web," were (1) by doing a search for "masturbation"; (2) through a friend or relative's recommendation; and (3) by seeing it mentioned in a print or online magazine or newsletter. Most young people were surpised to learn how similar they are to everyone else (whereas they'd previously worried they were "perverted"), and most people of all ages learned new techniques that allowed themselves to get more pleasure out of masturbation.]
One Saturday night I decided to look up "masturbation" on Yahoo. When I found JackinWorld, I liked it. I've discovered I am not the only one who has thoughts that I previously regarded as odd or something I shouldn't talk about. Since then, I have been much more open about masturbation, knowing that all my friends do it, too, and that I am not some kind of freak.
- age 15, New Jersey
My boys (both 17) were surfing the Net when they stumbled across your page. I routinely check the cache to make sure they are not getting into any hardcore material. I was first shocked, and then delighted, at JackinWorld's content. Until four months ago, I had heavy guilt feelings about my own needs for masturbation, which haven't abated in 30 years of marriage. Your page has been the catalyst for many open discussions with my boys. I have talked to their mother about their need for privacy. They are provided all the condoms, lube, and tissues that they need with no questions asked. I have tried to emphasize the importance of enjoying the experience and not rushing to a climax. I wish JackinWorld had been available when our first two children were teens. For that matter, I wish I'd had a resource like yours 45 years ago. Many thanks for your valuable service.
- age 58, Indiana
I don't remember how I found JackinWorld — I probably just stumbled upon it. I made the mistake of saving the address where I thought it would be safe on my dad's computer. Instead, I placed it in the "Favorites" category [Microsoft IE's equivalent of "bookmarks"]. When my dad found it, he hit the roof! He banned me from using the computer. A few days later he said that he had checked out JackinWorld and that it was okay for me to use the computer again. He also said that if I have any questions I should come to him. I love my dad, but he's always been uncomfortable talking about sex. JackinWorld is great; I don't feel as uncomfortable about what I do or how I sometimes feel. I'm going to try to get my dad to loosen up and visit JackinWorld again. He's been a real bear since he and my mom split up. Maybe *he* can learn something at your site.
- age 15, Florida
I found JackinWorld through a message board. I never knew guys were so nasty! Um ... c'mon guys, don't you have anything better to do with your time? I mean, it's okay sometimes — but using raw beef? Building fake vaginas out of PVC pipe? That's a little extreme. I mean, GET A GIRL! (LOL) Still, I love you guys anyway. :-)
- age 15, Georgia (female)
I found JackinWorld by looking up masturbation on Dr. Judy's message boards. One guy asked about new ways to masturbate, and a girl suggested he go to JackinWorld. So I tried it, and it has made masturbating more fun and creative for me. I also am more comfortable with some of my fantasies, now that I realize fantasizing about guys doesn't necessarily mean you are gay.
- age 14, New Jersey
My dad showed me this site and then left for work. I was shocked — but I read everything and masturbated several times. Then I didn't know how to act when he came home. He never mentioned it again, and neither did I.
- age 16, Texas
I found JackinWorld through Boner's FAQ Shacklet. I deal with young men every day. Whenever the subject of "dirty old masturbators" comes up, I refer people to your pages so they can learn who does and does not masturbate. They will say, "I'm going to check to see if anything different is on 'the computer,'" and I know they are going to JackinWorld for more good information. Many check it every day and read as long as they have time. It is a great reference site!
- age 62, Texas
I was searching on "masturbation." Other pages that claimed to be about masturbation would turn out to be just ads for sex toys, and links to porn sites and 900 numbers. JackinWorld is actually true to its name — it's not just out to capitalize on cyberporn. The chat pages enabled me to discuss the subject with other guys my age for the first time. And, the Question of the Week actually answered many questions I'd ask if I had the courage. Another thing I like about JackinWorld is how the webmaster really cares about the site, which is obvious from his frequent updates. JackinWorld has greatly reduced my guilt. It's one thing to read that almost everyone does it, but it's quite another to read testimonials and actually chat with other people who masturbate. I have learned how much we all have in common. It's also done wonders for my Internet addiction! JackinWorld is one of the few sites I return to often.
- age 16, Ohio
One day I found my brother looking at JackinWorld while he was on AOL. I had thought that he masturbates, but I wasn't sure. Now I know he does. When I entered the room, I saw JackinWorld at the top of the screen. He quickly closed the file and said he was looking up stuff on pumpkins. Later, I went to check it out for myself — and I was amazed to find JackinForHer. JackinForHer showed me some great techniques. I love them! I had never thought about using the shower; I had been using my fingers too much and they would get tired. Now I let the water do most of the work.
- age 16, Illinois (female)
I found JackinWorld by browsing through links; I think I began in Anatomy/Body Work/Massage, and then I went to Adolescence/Development, and from there to a sub-link on masturbation, which listed JackinWorld. Visiting the site brought a rush of memories about my first time masturbating, my childhood, and my beliefs about myself then — things I had not thought about for years. I also remembered emotions — some of fun and pleasure, but also some of guilt and shame. I've always thought of the "difficult" phases of my life as the most intense. Looking back, I think adolescence was *the* most difficult. If I'd had a resource for many of my questions then, I think I'd have been much more comfortable with myself. As it is, only within the last five years have I become comfortable with my own body! Seeing teens post questions about sex and masturbation makes me thankful this site is here for others who may have questions, and who want answers.
- age 29, Utah
I found JackinWorld when I was searching for more ways to masturbate. I was amazed. I had visited Jackin' [JackinWorld's previous incarnation] not quite a year before. It has helped me to understand that masturbation is okay and that other people do it. I had suspected this from hearing my older brothers joke about it. I masturbate only in my room or in the shower, *never* anywhere else (as suggested at this site). I don't want to be caught. My family has never seriously talked about masturbation, which made me afraid even to think about it, at least for a while. I have 11 siblings and 2 parents, so I always have to listen carefully for anyone moving around. I can be sure of privacy only when I'm in the shower or in my bedroom late at night. The chat room has helped a little — thanks for helping me to open up.
-age, 16, North Carolina
Since I found JackinWorld (by accident), it has changed my whole attitude about masturbation. The site has helped me to feel better about masturbating with other guys. I had tried this a few times before I found JackinWorld, but I was confused by my feelings. Since then, I have had other masturbation experiences with guys. If anything, they have strengthened my attraction towards girls, while having a pleasant experience with members of my sex. Thank you, JackinWorld for helping me to sort out these feelings.
- age 19, California
I found out about JackinWorld when I was logged onto AOL one night, checking e-mail, and got an Instant Message from a female friend. She placed a "check this out" link on the message so I didn't have a clue about what it was. I clicked on the link and there was JackinWorld. I almost choked on the Coke I was sipping! I was shocked not so much by the material, but by who sent it to me. And the real shocker came when she invited me to participate in JackinChat. I really didn't expect that! Ever since, we've discussed quite a few sex-related issues, both seriously and humorously. It's great to have such an open friendship with a woman. It helps you to feel closer, more trusting, and open. JackinWorld has shown me that I didn't know nearly as much about masturbating as I thought. I just wish I'd had this resource about 10 years ago. Things would have been *much* easier. I will readily recommend this site to my sons, whenever I have them. In fact, I've already publicly recommended the site as a good resource to my Sex Ed class (135 people). Keep up the good work, and thanks again for this great site.
- age 21, California
I found out about it on an AOL message board. I immediately loved this site! It has given me more confidence to talk about masturbation with people, especially friends. It has also given me some good techniques to try.
- age 16, Georgia
I found JackinWorld from the "Penis Page" column in Penthouse magazine. I've been a fan for about three months, and I totally worship this site! I'm only sorry I didn't have this resource when I was going through puberty; I had so many questions about masturbating, and JackinWorld would have been a true asset. The site has opened my eyes to many things about masturbation — especially concerning mutual masturbation and the whole question of homosexuality. I thought I might be gay or bi, because all I thought about while masturbating was other guys and their penises. I would have fantasies about mutual masturbation, and then I'd feel totally guilty. Thanks to JackinWorld, I now know that what I fantasize about doesn't necessarily mean I'm gay. Now I can totally enjoy myself without feeling unnecessary guilty or anxiety. I recently got involved with some other guys in mutual masturbation — and if not for JackinWorld, I never would have even considered it.
- age 20, New York
I found out about the site from someone in an AOL chat room. I used to go into chat rooms to talk about masturbation and my limited experience with mutual masturbation. Occasionally, "gay bashers" would come in and make fun of everyone, so it got really annoying. Here, you don't normally have that. When you do, you can leave the chat room and just go read something. Thumbs up to JackinWorld!
- age 16, Florida
I found JackinWorld through Yahoo. I didn't realize how perverted guys are, but it's cool — even kind of funny. And, I have met some cool people, even a few other girls who do it. That's reassuring.
- age 14, Kentucky (female)
The September '97 issue of The Web magazine listed JackinWorld. Since I masturbate regularly, I immediately decided to check it out. The only thing I didn't like about the magazine listing was its location under the heading "For Men." How unfair and sexist — men are hardly the only people who masturbate! With the possible exception of teenage boys, I'd say men don't even do it as much as women. I'm happily married and have sex quite often, but I have a higher sex drive than my husband, so I supplement our "activities." It's been great to learn the male view of masturbation. My husband won't masturbate in front of me, so I've always been curious. When I read men's complaints that the women in their lives don't know how to stimulate them manually, I wonder how much they try to stimulate their partners. I think most people want to please their partners, but they need to be able to communicate explicitly about how they need to be stimulated.
- age 30, New Jersey (female)
I found out about JackinWorld from my brother's Playboy magazine. This is my first time here — but I can tell already it's going to be a great influence on my masturbation. It has answered many questions.
- age 16, Minnesota
I found JackinWorld by chance, while surfing the Net. After my initial surprise at finding a site like this, I've visited fairly regularly. I've been able to satisfy my curiosity about how other people's habits compare to my own. Keep up the good work!
- age 34, Ohio
I used to like to find pictures to masturbate to. This page surprised me. I had thought I was the only person who masturbated, but was surprised to find how similar I was to everybody else. It has helped me to accept masturbating, so now I do it more often. It has also given me some new techniques to try, which is good because I was sick of the old ones. Although I understand it is okay to masturbate with another guy, I still haven't found the courage to ask my friend if he would like to masturbate with me. I would love to masturbate with someone else sometime.
- age 17, New York
I found JackinWorld when I was surfing the Internet. At first I was surprised — but when I read it, I really enjoyed it. It hasn't changed my philosophy on masturbation, because I never thought there was anything wrong with it. However, since I discovered JackinWorld, I masturbate more because I am always trying the techniques in JackinHow-To and JackinExpert.
- age 17, Spain
I found a link to JackinWorld at another site. At first, I was curious. What I have learned has enabled me to suggest some different techniques to my boyfriend. We are both virgins, and I would like him to be able to feel that he is inside me while he is masturbating.
- age 15, Illinois (female)
I was on the Penthouse Internet site. I opened the "Penis Page" for the month of August and saw your site, so I gave it a try. It makes me feel more confident about masturbating. I don't feel like masturbation is pathetic or stupid anymore. I am very glad I found your site; it has changed my approach toward masturbation.
- age 15, Illinois
I think I read the URL on a newsgroup post. All that I see here seems to be spot on. All the questions and concerns of my youth I had to answer myself the hard way (pun intended) are answered here — and correctly in my opinion, I might add. It is especially nice to see the honest answers and responses from all the guys. Too bad the straight dope was not this easy to get in my day.
- age 51, South Carolina
I was exploring the Web's male sex sites and got tired of the commercial locations. I chanced upon JackinWorld and have spent almost an hour exploring it with a mixture of approval, arousal, and (intellectual?) delight. I think the advice is excellent — especially the article and the letter on homosexuality. Bravo!
- age 55, Florida
I found this amazing site searching on Lycos for "masturbation." I now check in every day for updates. I have tried every technique and suggestion and find all of them extremely pleasurable. JackinWorld has helped me to realize that masturbation is safe and healthy. I used to be embarrassed that I masturbated, but now I celebrate it. Thanks, JackinWorld.
- age 15, Maryland
I saw it recommended to someone who posted a question about masturbating too much — so I visited, too. Ever since, the site has been an unending fountain of knowledge. As an avid masturbator, I now have two addictions!
- age 31, North Carolina
I did a Web search on masturbation and found JackinWorld — truly an excellent site. Rather than present masturbation as a XXX activity, as many other sites do, JackinWorld is actually a good information resource. I wish that when I was younger, someone had told me about masturbation as frankly as this site does. I'm glad to see masturbation presented as a normal activity that most boys and men do, rather than something only sexual perverts do.
- age 28, South Korea — US Service member
I found out about JackinWorld on Yahoo. I always loved masturbating, but I wondered if there were more people like me. I was delighted to learn that it is common. Now I do not feel so guilty when I masturbate, because I know there are probably a lot of other guys masturbating at the same time.
- age 16, California
An online friend sent me an e-mail message with the JackinWorld address embedded in it. Reading the material in JackinWorld has inspired me to masturbate more frequently. I wasn't aware so many other guys masturbate so often. I figure if they have no qualms about seizing every opportunity, why should I? Now I'm enjoying it more!
- age 43, California
Viewing this page has helped me a lot. I'm glad it exists; otherwise, I would still believe that masturbation is a perversion that can cause impotency and other illnesses. I was told these lies at school by a man who was supposed to give us an orientation. I'm really glad I found this Web site; now that I masturbate more often (usually at night), I feel more relaxed, and my mood and grades have improved a lot. Thank you for letting me know the truth.
- age 15, Mexico
I found JackinWorld by accident during a Web search. Oh, what I would have given to have had this information when I was struggling through the sexual-identity phase of adolescence. You do an incredible service with the way you treat the subject. I've been masturbating almost every day since my youth, but now with renewed gusto and a lot less guilt. I know now that everybody does indeed do it, and my whole attitude is a lot healthier. I check your page every day. I read the responses to the questions and the young people's comments, and I envy them for their healthy attitudes toward masturbation, made possible by an open forum with its exchange of knowledge and experience. Even at this later stage of life, I've been profoundly affected by your page.
- age 53, California