One thing seems clear — for about 98% of us, being interrupted by parents would bring on a major erotic meltdown. The other 2% live in homes where parents and others make space for their masturbation, some so much so that they can even be open about it. As for other potential turn-offs, siblings and other blood relatives get a mixed review. Most people would be okay with being interrupted by a friend or roommate; some even wish for it and try to make it happen.
A few readers, both adult and teen, consider solo masturbation to be a private matter, even if they incorporate mutual masturbation into their sexual relationships. These people would be embarrassed and turned off by any sort of interruption.]
It would be (and was) a huge turn-off. My little brother and his friend once walked in on me while I was masturbating, and I almost screamed. My brother said he would tell our parents unless I baked them a vanilla cake. I obliged, and finished off in the cake while they weren't looking. To this day, they don't know.
- age 16, Ohio
This Week's Wackiest Response:
If it were a 20-foot-tall goblin that had just washed his hair with Pantene Pro-V, then it would be a turn-on. If it were a 20-foot-tall goblin that had just washed his hair with Wash & Go, it would definitely be a turn off.
- age 13, United Kingdom
Basically, if it's anyone I can pleasure with my body, or even who just enjoys looking at my body, it's a big enough self-esteem booster to be a turn-on for me. Male or female, friend or foe (just not the parentals) — I would be more than willing to share myself and my favorite hobby with that person.
- age 16, California
I feel that if I were caught masturbating, I would be embarrassed. Around my friends who are more open about sexuality and masturbation, I would be less embarrassed than around others. Being caught by my parents would embarrass me, although I doubt they would care. In fact, I think my father did catch me once — I was masturbating and later I saw him give me a look that was a pretty tell-tale expression. It wasn't a condemning expression, but more of an all-knowing smirk. It was certainly enough to make an 11-year-old blush. However, I do think getting caught by someone I am intimate with would be a turn-on. Still, the mood would have to be right.
- age 17, California (female)
Being interrupted would be a turn-off. Masturbation is a wonderful, private act — even if you're masturbating with somebody. So, getting caught is very embarrassing and a complete turn-off.
- age 37, Colombia
It all depends on who walks in. If it were my mother, it would be a total turn-off. But if it were my boy or someone I'd had sex with previously, I'd love it. I love to be watched while I pleasure myself. It would be even better if I weren't expecting someone to be watching me.
- age 19, Australia
The biggest turn-off would definitely be my sister. My mum almost walked in on me once, but when she saw that I was naked, she turned around quickly and left. However, I would love to have some people walk in on me; it would be the biggest turn-on ever. These people are friends who, like me, are open about masturbating. If any of these people walked in on me, they would no doubt join in. And that would be a dream come true.
- age 17, Australia
I would enjoy it if someone who shares my attitude walked in on me. I love to masturbate in the company of others. However, much of society thinks old men should sit in their recliners and sleep away the time, so they'd be shocked to know we still enjoy masturbation as much as when we were pubescent. It would be a turn-off if someone with that kind of closed mind walked in on me. It's too bad about society in general — people are missing out on a lot of pleasure.
- age 66, Texas
It would be a turn-off or an embarrassment. Even though I am a vocal masturbation advocate, it doesn't mean I would want someone interrupting me in such a private moment. If my husband walked in on me, I probably wouldn't mind, although I might be slightly embarrassed. If it turned him on, it would *definitely* be a turn-on for me, after my initial embarrassment. I've tried masturbating before when I knew I might get caught, and it wasn't a very good session.
- age 26, California (female)
It would be a turn-on depending on where I am and who the person is. I try to be very careful, so if it was going to be a major surprise, I would want it to be someone who would stay and watch me or join in. I wouldn't want to offend the person who walks in on me.
- age 39, California
Total turn-OFF — I'd hate to see anyone come in when I am masturbating. I know it is totally natural, and I hope the person who walks in on me will know that, too. But it is kind of embarrassing when they see that you do it. Especially when it's your parents and they start asking questions later on. I already hate it when they ask any questions about sex or masturbation — things like do you do it, keep it safe, etc.
- age 18, The Netherlands
When I was in the military, I would get really turned on if my roommate walked in on me while I was masturbating. We were great friends, and quite open about our need for relief. For anyone else to walk in on me, it would have been very embarrassing.
- age 28, Massachusetts
It can be either a turn-on or a turn-off. Recently I was masturbating in the shower and my wife walked in. This was a turn-off, as I don't flaunt the fact that I masturbate regularly, and "being caught" produced some guilt. Having said that, recently I was in a washroom at the office, and one of the other workers was masturbating at the urinal. I must admit it was a turn-on.
- age 55, Canada
Being walked in on by my family or friends (which I've come dangerously close to) would definitely be a turn-off, but it would be exciting to have my boyfriend walk in on me as I pleasure myself. It's something he's dying to see me do, and seeing him get turned on would get me even hotter.
- age 20, Louisiana (female)
I once walked in on my older brother as he was masturbating, and I guess you could say it was a turn-on, because it was my brother doing the same thing I do — and that made me feel comfortable. I liked the idea that we could talk about masturbating and at the same time not feel weird. But on the other hand, if someone who doesn't see the whole point in masturbation were to walk in on me, that would be a total turn-off.
- age 15, California
My mom has walked in on me a bunch of times, and my friends, once or twice. I'd have to say that they were all turn-ons for me. In fact, I really can't think of anyone walking in on me who would be a turn-off.
- age 22, Wisconsin
Generally, I would be turned off if I were interrupted while masturbating, since it's something I choose to do in private. But if someone were to walk in, I would probably be the most turned on if it were my girlfriend. We often masturbate in front of each other, and she especially likes to watch me masturbate. A big turn-off would be if it were one of my parents, friends, or even worse, a total stranger.
- age 21, United Kingdom
To me it would a major turn-on for my sister to walk in on me. She is 16 and probably my best friend. We have talked about masturbation and know that we both do it. Last week she came into my room a few minutes after I had finished masturbating, and we were talking when she noticed some semen on the carpet. She said, "Oh, you missed some," and got a tissue to wipe it up. She's cool.
- age 14, Florida
It could be either, depending on who walks in. If it were my mom or sisters, I would feel turned off and embarrassed. If it were my dad, brother, or some other guy, I would feel turned on because I know that they do it too and I wouldn't feel embarrassed. For someone else to watch me would be a total turn-on — as long as it isn't my mom.
- age 13, New Jersey
It would be a big turn-off for me to be interrupted while masturbating regardless of who walked in on me. While I often fantasize about catching someone else in the act, I would hate to have it happen to me.
- age 28, Alberta, Canada
I would most likely find it a turn-off, especially if it were my parents or my friends. I am not very open with them about sex and my sexual habits. But if it were one of my female friends with whom I am very open about sex and masturbation, or my girlfriend, I'd be very turned on. I'd be turned on even more if they decided to join in. I have to admit, though, just as we are turned on by having sex in public places, my girlfriend and I are also turned on by the thought of being caught masturbating when we have phone sex, even if it is by our parents.
- age 22, Virginia
It could be either for me, depending on who does the walking. My ex walked in on me once; I tried to cover up, being a little embarrassed, but she said, "No, I want to watch. Keep going." *That* was a big turn-on — having someone supportive walk in and watch. But having someone interrupt who would view it as a shameful thing...that would definitely be a turn-off.
- age 23, Florida
If my mum walked in, I would be turned off. But if a very attractive 17-20-year-old walked in, that would make me as horny as a rabbit in heat.
- age 17, United Kingdom
It would definitely be a turn-off and a huge embarrassment for me, no matter who walked in. I think I look stupid when I do it — not at all sexy. However, it is a major turn-on for me to watch other people masturbate, and though I have never walked in on someone else, I think perhaps I would like to.
- age 19, Tennessee (female)
While I'm masturbating, the idea of being caught is a major turn-on. But if I was ever actually caught, it would be horribly embarrassing and a major turn-off.
- age 18, California
My brother, who is 19, walked in on me and didn't think anything of it. He just nodded his head and left the room for me to do what I wanted. He was very good about it, although we have never really talked about it. I actually found it to be quite a turn-on. When I resumed my session, it was a *very* good finish! If anyone else had walked in, I am pretty sure it would have been a turn-off, because my brother and I are in the same boat. We have to hide the fact that we masturbate because masturbation is not an open topic in my household.
- age 16, Canada
I would be turned on if it were a friend of mine. I have often wanted to have another male watch me masturbate — and to watch them and help them. My wife has caught me, and helped the first time. After the second time, she asked why I do it. I told her it is just a great feeling to experience a climax on your own. She understood that, but she still was at a loss to understand why I enjoy it.
- age 55, Maryland
The only way this would be a turn-on is if my girlfriend walked in on me. We both masturbate often and are open about it to each other. It's not something to hide from the other person, and it makes having sex a lot more fun! If anything, I'd purposely show her what I'm doing and tell her to join in if she wants to, or even just watch. Anyone else would make it a turn-off. It's not something I would want anyone but my girlfriend to see.
- age 20, New York (female)
I have a 12-year-old brother and we have separate bedrooms. Since I started masturbating when I was about his age, I have managed to find privacy and do it alone. However, I admit that sometimes when I am masturbating, I fantasize about my brother catching me. He is probably at the age that he will be doing it soon, too. It would make me proud to show him how to do it and let him watch me if he wants. It would be erotic for me to have someone see me ejaculate, and it would be a great opportunity to do some male bonding with him.
- age 16, Illinois
I would be so turned on if my parents walked in while I was ejaculating onto my bedsheets. They could see what kind of child I really am.
- age 13, Ohio
It would be a huge turn-off, no matter who. It did happen once and my pleasure was quickly replaced by embarrassment and anger. Masturbation is a very private thing for me, and I totally dislike that privacy being invaded. Sometimes I go through great pains to make sure no pictures of people on covers of magazines are facing me! Even though the people in those photos cannot see me, I still feel as if they are watching me, and that is not a great turn-on.
- age 18, New York
I wouldn't mind at all if my mom walked in on me. I never lock my door because I have nothing to hide. I'm almost 14 and started puberty soon after I turned 12. Mom has seen me several times since. What could be more natural? It's just another part of my development.
- age 13, Florida
It would be a turn-off for me. I see masturbation as a private, personal time. I have masturbated with other guys before, but that feels more like a sexual experience. I freely admit that I masturbate, including to my girlfriend. My girlfriend came to my house one time while I was masturbating; I quickly jumped into my clothes, being kind of embarrassed. We talked about it later, and she said it was okay with her — that I did not need to get dressed and could have just carried on. Even though we masturbate each other and I know she masturbates, I would just not be comfortable being walked in on.
- age 32, Canada
It is a turn-off to me. Although my wife and I masturbate together, when I am doing myself for myself, the whole mood is ruined when I am walked in on.
- age 45, Kansas
The only person from whom I would find interruption to be a turn-on is my wife. She knows about and encourages my masturbation habit. She wears pantyhose to bed just to wake up and catch me masturbating. She also has walked into the bathroom while I'm masturbating in the shower and just asked, "Almost there yet?"
- age 30, Ohio
It would be a turn-off, no matter who — at least at first. I am sure it would scare the hell out of me. In my 13 years of masturbating, no one has ever walked in on me. I was molested from when I was 8 years old until about 10. On the last encounter of the molestation, I ejaculated for the first time. So at times, I feel ashamed after I ejaculate when I masturbate, but not after I have sex.
- age 23, Delaware
It would depend on who is interrupting. Once, a college roommate who was supposed to be in class forgot a report and ran back to the room to get it. When he entered, I was on the bed and masturbating — completely naked because I had just taken a shower. We were both surprised, but he got his report and left so fast that we didn't talk about it until later that night. We ended up masturbating together. One summer I was living with a friend whom I thought was at work, but he came home early and found me masturbating to a porn video. It was a turn-on to see him watch it for a while (he watched me, too). Then he sat down and joined in the fun. Although straight, I found both situations were a turn-on and wouldn't mind doing it again. I think masturbation is a guy thing, so I don't think I would like my girlfriend to catch me doing it. I don't think she would like it, either.
- age 22, Pennsylvania
If my spouse walked in on me, it would be an additional turn-on. She would feel that I was being neglected and swing into action. Even though my children are now adults, it would be a turn-off if any of them walked in on me or somehow discovered me while I was masturbating.
- age 61, Georgia
Well, if it was a parent it would be a total turn-off! But, if it were someone like a girlfriend, it would be awesome. I guess it would also be awesome if one of my guy friends walked in, even though I'm straight. I have always wanted to masturbate with my guy friends? Go figure!
- age 16, Virginia
I was busted by both my parents (and my older sister) during my teen years. This was mostly embarrassing, and not really a turn-on. By the same token, I once walked in on my mother one afternoon when I was 11; she was busily strumming her clitoris with one hand as she worked a candle in and out with the other. Now *that* was embarrassing, though also informative. My mother was my first "fellow masturbator," and in the days *long* before JackinWorld, how great it was to know I was not alone. I was also once caught going at it during my military days, but that was again more an occasion for alarm and mortification than arousal. (Not every soldier shared my enlightened views regarding masturbation.) Despite all this, I do often fantasize about scenarios of being caught while doing myself, and a favorite fantasy is of being the sole "pivot man" at an otherwise all-girl "circle-jerk." To answer the last part of the question: Turn-off = parents, ex-wife, news media, Joint Chiefs of Staff. Turn-on = girlfriend, ex-wife, news media, Joint Chiefs of Staff (once a soldier).
- age 38, California
If it were my mother or grandma, I would be turned off. I would make myself repent for my doings by a huge ceremony with human sacrifice (joke). A definite turn-on would be either my friends or my brother. It is kind of hard to say why.
- age 15, Missouri
Depending on the person, it would definitely be a turn-on. I had a female friend staying with me a while back, and was desperately hoping she'd hear me doing my thing and come in to investigate. (It turned out that she was wearing earplugs. Drat the luck!) A turn-off would be my parents. That's happened — not a lot of fun.
- age 30, Canada
When I moved into a college dorm, I lost my freedom to masturbate on my bed, which I had grown to like very much. One day when my roommate was away, I locked the door and started to masturbate. However, he suddenly came back and walked right in, giving me no time to cover myself. We looked at each other for some 3 seconds, and then I said, "Oh...do you mind giving me some time to finish it?" He waited for another second or so and then said, "I'm tired of not being able to masturbate on my bed, too — why don't we just do it whenever and wherever we want?" At that moment we regained our freedom to masturbate on our beds. We occasionally walk into our room when one of us is masturbating and everything is fine. We even masturbated together after watching pornographic movies in the room. Masturbation has made our relationship closer and better indeed.
- age 19, Maryland
It has happened to me before with a mate, when we were both 14. He came round and got let in as my parents were going out. I didn't know and had started to masturbate when he walked in on me. It wasn't a turn-off for me because when he saw what I was doing, he said, "Don't let me stop you." Then he came and sat on my bed, took his pants off so we were both naked, and started masturbating as well. Later, we masturbated each other. Till this day, we still masturbate together. But one point I want to make is that I am straight and have a gorgeous girlfriend.
- age 18, United Kingdom
Getting caught masturbating can be a hot experience if the person is a guy who appreciates the pleasure you can get from stimulating your penis by hand. It becomes a shared experience — mentally, and possibly physically. Being caught by a closed-minded person is a definite turn-off. Parents should make every effort not to interrupt a son's self-pleasuring activity.
- age 30, Iowa
I have been walked in on while masturbating a couple of times. It was a real turn-on for me when my older brother walked in and watched me masturbate. It was a real turn-off when my mother caught me masturbating, though. She thought it was gross, but I just thought everyone has to masturbate, so there is no reason to hide the fact. One time one of my friends walked in on me and I was turned on, but I was later ridiculed because my penis isn't as big as all the kids my age.
- age 15, Massachusetts