Since people are usually curious about others and especially when it comes to the sex lives of their brethren, one of the burning questions regarding sex is: what other people masturbate? That's another thing people like: to see their preferences shared by other people. Studies have shown that the majority of men and women masturbate.

The figures vary from study to study, but the general consensus is that at least 90 percent of all males masturbate. Among women, masturbation is practiced by 48 percent (according to the National Health and Social Life Survey) to 60 percent (according to the data gathered by the Kinsey Institute in the late 1940's and early 1950's). A survey conducted by a Canadian magazine revealed that 81 percent of men and 55 percent of women start masturbating between the ages of 10 and 15.

Masturbation has been common through all ages and cultures. Just like nearly everything related to sex and pleasure, masturbation has been looked upon benevolently by the ancient Greeks and Romans, frowned upon by the Jews, Christians and Muslims, regarded with indifference by Buddhism and praised as a path toward higher spirituality by the Tantric Buddhism and Wicca.

Whether vilified or praised, one thing is certain: no culture and no age could afford to ignore masturbation. One way or another, each and every one of them had to deal with it. There should be no guilt over masturbation. Although some religious people like to try and meddle with the sexual preferences of others, these are the choices you make.

Nobody should be allowed to decide for you or to make you feel guilty about your choices. Masturbation is very natural and very healthy so there should be no place for guilt or shame in this part of your life. Religious people have their own reasons for bad mouthing masturbation, but this does not mean that they are actually right in everything they say. Read all you can about this issue and then make up your own mind.