The issue of penis size interests many people, and has captivated people for centuries. Most men find it engrossing, insecure and, yes, arrogant. People believe it’s a mythical representation of masculinity and sexual power; in locker rooms, on forums and even in scientific research, it’s an ideal subject. So what about penis size? Is it reality or myth? Here in this article, let us find out the truth about the myths and misguided beliefs about the penis size.
Historical Context
The obsession with penis size stretches back to ancient times, when men’s vim and sexual ability depended on the size of their penises. Larger penises were often associated with masculinity and authority in ancient Greek and Roman society. That conception carried on into the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, when artists such as Michelangelo depicted men with cartoonish genitalia in their sculptures.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the anatomy and sexuality of the human body helped to explain the scientific nature of the size of the penis. Scholars such as Alfred Kinsey studied male sexuality – including the size of one’s penis – and discovered that men ranged widely in size. This gave rise to the belief that the penis size was not a determinate sign of manhood or sexual prowess, but rather a purely biological trait.
What is the size of the penis?
Let us start from the definition of what a penis size is. It describes the length and width of the erect penis. The average length of an erect penis is thought to be around 5.16 inches, although it can range from 1.6 to 7.9 inches. It might be different slightly depending on ethnicity and location, but this is what we consider the average size. But it’s also worth remembering that there is no ‘normal’ or ‘proper’ size for a penis. Like any other part of your body, there are many sizes that are considered normal and healthy.
Misconceptions
It is one of the most common mistakes that people make when it comes to the size of the penis. Media and pornography reinforce this notion by presenting men with larger than average penises as more attractive and sexually successful. It has meant that fewer penises have become associated with a belief that men lack masculinity or are unfit. But the fact is, penis size has almost nothing to do with sexual pleasure. Indeed, studies have found that penis size correlates positively with sexual performance and/or satisfaction either for the man or the partner.
A second misconception is that the size of your penis is inherited. Although genes do influence the proportions of someone’s body parts – such as the penis – they are not the sole source. A combination of hormonal factors, nutrition, and health also affect the size of the penis. For instance, bad diet and lack of exercise can decrease blood flow which in turn may reduce the size and function of the penis. Conversely, a well-balanced diet can support better blood circulation and penis health.
For men, a major factor in making the question of penis size such a painful issue is fear of not being able to please their partner. But it is worth noting that sex does not have to be confined to the size of your penis. Indeed, studies suggest that around a quarter of women consistently orgasm solely through vaginal sex alone. This means that there are other factors, including bonding, communication and sexual skills, that have much greater importance to sexual satisfaction.
Despite the fact that penis size doesn’t directly correlate with sexual pleasure, men continue to feel insecure about their size. This has made it more popular to sell products and treatments that are purported to make the penis bigger. But the vast majority of these products don’t stand up to science and are dangerous, if not toxic. Pumps, weights and stretching exercises will tear tissues and scar tissues, and surgery carries a huge risk of infection and deafness.
Key Figures
The greatest figure in the physiology of the penis was the psychiatrist Alfred Kinsey, whose early work on human sexuality helped define modern sexology. His Kinsey Reports, for example, measured men’s penises and spelled out the false dichotomy that big penises always meant better sex.
One other major researcher into penis size is the psychologist and researcher J Michael Bailey, who has carried out some research on the topic. His writing has defied the stereotypes of the penis and masculinity, demonstrating that there is no definitive connection between the two.
Influential Individuals
Many influential figures have lent their names to penis size studies, questioning stereotypes and advocating for a more complex understanding of the phenomenon. The psychiatrist and researcher David Veale has studied penis size anxiety and dispelled misconceptions that penis size correlated with sexual satisfaction.
As a social psychologist and author, Justin Lehmiller has written widely about penis size and sexual satisfaction. His work has established that communication, mutual respect and emotional closeness are far more important for sexual satisfaction than a large penis.
Future Developments
As research into the size of the penis advances, the debate will probably get more nuanced. With the advance of technology and the greater grasp of human sexuality, we might begin to see a movement away from size and toward a broader view of sexual pleasure and fulfilment.
Conclusion
Bottom line: The size of your penis isn’t as vital as society and the media have led us to believe. There’s no “normal” size for the penis, and there’s no “optimal” size. Sexual satisfaction is not only based on the size of your penis: there are many other significant factors. Men shouldn’t be worried about satisfying society-imposed standards about the size of their penises, but should look after their health and sexual abilities in general. So, let’s dissolve all these preconceived ideas and misconceptions of how large a penis should be, and embrace the difference between different body types and sexual preferences.
