Although a significant number of teenagers do not experience sexual intercourse by the age of 19, many masturbate. As we saw earlier in this chapter, masturbation is a common sexual expression during childhood. The NSSHB Survey found that masturbation was considerably more common than partnered sexual activities during adolescence (Her — benick et al., 2010a). During adolescence the behavior tends to increase in frequency. Masturbation frequency rates among females are notably lower than among males for all age groups, including adolescents. The NSSHB Survey reported that about 26% of females, ages 16-19 years, reported solo masturbation during the previous month. A comparable figure for males in the same age range was approximately 60%. By age 19 about 66% of females and 86% of males had engaged in solo masturbation (Herbenick et al., 2010a).
Masturbation can serve as an important avenue for sexual expression during adolescence (Kaestle & Allen, 2011). Besides providing an always available outlet for sexual
tension, self-stimulation is an excellent way to learn about one’s body and its sexual potential. Teenagers can experiment with different ways of pleasuring themselves, thereby increasing their self-knowledge. This information may later prove helpful during sexual interaction with a partner.