For several years now, there’s been an unusual interest in the size of the penis. This commonplace belief is that the larger the penis, the more sexually satisfying it is for each person. Such a thought has motivated men to display an expanded penis, and the push to do so has only intensified with the development of social media and the appearance of big penises on men in mainstream media. But what about the perception of penis size throughout the years? Was there any science to back up the larger is better hypothesis?
In this essay, let us discuss the history of penis size and its evolution through the years.
Ancient Civilizations
The size of the penis was traditionally seen in antiquity as a marker of masculinity, strength and purity. The big penises of Greece represented both power and fertility. The Greek god Hermes was frequently shown to have an erect penis, and the larger the penis, the healthier the male child was believed to be.
A cult of the phallus was practised in ancient Rome, called the cult of Priapus. This cult prized the penis as a fertility symbol, and adored the fertility god Priapus (as well as the lord of livestock), who was frequently shown with a wilted penis.
Middle Ages and Renaissance
By the Middle Ages, though, the metric of penis size had become increasingly negative and shameful. Much of this came because the Catholic Church disapproved of sexual pleasure, and saw the penis as a locus of enchantment and coercion. This meant that the smaller penises were perceived as virtuous and sacred, and the larger penises as evil and ungodly. This unflattering attitude towards the size of the penis persisted into the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance.
Renaissance and Enlightenment Era:
During the Renaissance, the ancient Greek and Roman culture, and thus the art of the male body and the penis, returned to the spotlight. Painters such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci painted penises so large that men were literally swollen with them – they were restoring antiquity’s ideals of manhood and good behaviour.
During the Enlightenment, however, science and rationality took precedence over religion, and the size of the penis changed again. The penis was no longer measured in size but in function. The ancient doctors believed that a small penis meant vulnerability and disease, whereas a large penis meant good health and sexual strength.
Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution revolutionised how people viewed the size of their penises. When capitalism began to emerge and men began to require labour, there was a movement toward defining the male figure as an enervated man. This was the reason for the proliferation of advertisements for products to increase the size of the penis so men could get a bigger and more desirable member.
20th Century
It was during the 20th century that the shape of the penis changed dramatically. As advertising and the media expanded, the male body – the penis included – became a marketable commodity. This promoted the use of sexual imagery in advertising that made men with big penises appear bigger and sexually appealing. That in turn meant that smaller penises felt inferior.
The Porn Industry
The internet and mass consumption of pornography also reinforced this notion of the “ideal” penis size. Pornography movies usually show males with larger than normal penises and make the audience think too hard. This has led to the need for penis-enlargement surgeries, despite the dangers and lack of scientific data to prove that they work.
Cultural and Social Influences
Even the sense of penis size is culturally and socially constructed. For some peoples, having a large penis is a mark of masculinity and sex, while for others, it’s unremarkable. For instance, in some African societies, a large penis is seen as a curse and a sign of impotence and infertility. Instead, the culture of places such as Korea and Japan favours diminutive penises.
Current Attitudes
Over the past few years, we’ve witnessed a rise in body positivity and tolerance for all bodies, even penis sizes. Because people are more educated and aware of the difference between our bodies, the status quo has changed. The normal length of a penis is now known to be between 5.1 and 5.9 inches, and girth between 4.7 and 5.1 inches. That has paved the way for a more balanced and inclusive perception of penis size and the fact that it is not the sole marker of sexual enjoyment and fulfilment.
Impact on Men
The emphasis on penis size has a direct effect on men’s sense of self-worth. Men who don’t like the size of their penis suffer from shame, inadequacy and lack of self-esteem. It can cause body dysmorphia and psychological suffering, affecting their well-being and life satisfaction. It can also harm their sexual relationships, leading to stress and poor performance.
Conclusion:
At last, attitudes towards penis size have transcended the idea that it is an organ of fertility and virility and is instead an object to be advertised and bought. They are the cultural and social tug-of-wars, media and pornography that the vast majority of men apply to their bodies. It would prove extremely helpful if we could be taught that penis size doesn’t describe the man or his sexuality. It’s not a society that’s interested in embracing body positivity and spreading awareness on the risks of overconfidence and lethal penis enlargement procedures. Acceptance of one’s body, including the shape of one’s penis, is essential to good health and good relationships.
