Masturbation. All teen-age boys are soon aware of certain sex problems that never seemed to exist in early childhood. This is also true of girls, but usually to lesser degree. The rapidly growing sex organs are easily stimulated, often to the embarrassment of young person. Unless the young person is careful, harmful habits may be formed that may plague a person to the end of his or her days. The act of self-stimulation, knows as masturbation, is often a real problem to the young person, and always raises the question of what can be done about it.

These secret acts of sexual excitement can be definitely harmful, especially when carried to excess. Often the individual tends to become secretive, living in a kind of dream world where fantasy plays a dominant part. Many women who are highly nervous in middle life will freely admit that most of their troubles stem from some form of self-stimulation, indulged over long periods of time.

Among teen-age young people nervous problems are always more common in those who indulge in this sort of thing. Many of them tend to withdraw into a kind of dream state, and seem unable to face reality. Frequent masturbation, with its tendency to daydreaming, can be harmful, particularly to those who are subject to nervous depression. Young people who want to enjoy life cannot afford to yield to this sort of thing.

We should point out; however, that an occasional emission of seminal fluid during is no sleep is not unusual in any young man. There is no reason for him to feel anxious and guilty about this, for it is just evidence that he is growing up. Unfortunately, many a boy has been almost frightened out of his wits by hearing tales of the supposed dangers of this perfectly normal function. This is not fair. Such stories are often invented by people who have quack medicines to sell. With proper training, any sensible young man will episodes are not harmful. He should build up his body with vigorous exercises and fill his mind with wholesome thoughts instead of worrying too much about these things. If he does this, he will soon find all these disturbing thoughts will take a secondary place he trains himself for a successful place in the world.