Self-Gratification A Function of Purity Test Activity

Added: 11/19/2005

Purity test activity is an outgrowth of the curiosity that we all have regarding how others view us and our own self-judgment as to whether we are as good as our peers. Self-gratification of any kind, but most notably when of a sexual nature, is sometimes seen as being a negative pursuit to follow. Often purity tests are taken at social gatherings for amusement and although they shouldn't be taken seriously it's human nature to want to fit in and be one of the crowd. They may also be used to reveal aspects or desires that one would otherwise be too shy to talk about.

For those of you unfamiliar with the term "purity test" let me clarify what the term means. A purity test measures the user's purity, or non-exposure to a specific topic. For the purposes of this article we will delve into how the test pertains to sexuality.

Interestingly enough purity tests, while applicable in almost any context and about almost any subject, originated from virginity tests. These tests, to be taken seriously by the recipients, were used by sexually restrictive cultures to measure sexual purity. Sexual self-gratification is generally not given much attention as these cultures came with behavioral credos intended to make sure the sexual interactions were undertaken for the sole purpose of procreation.

Even though historically these purity tests were to be taken seriously, in the present day atmosphere of self-gratification, most notable personified by the now aging baby boomers who coined the phrase free love and acted upon its precepts in the 1960's and 1970's, they seem more geared towards self-judgment. Initially given as written tests, with the boom of internet travel and the self-gratification of seeing one's thoughts in print and influencing the masses, it is now possible to choose from a wide selection of offered tests.

Remember the questionnaires that used to appear in magazines and newspapers? How many of us would take those by ourselves and not discuss the results unless by our standards of self-judgment we could feel self-gratification at telling others how wonderful we were. And we didn't have to feel guilty because we were bragging or anything of the sort, the test proved it.

Today those same questionnaires are available on line and can be very entertaining when given at a party or other social function. As already mentioned there are many of these purity tests geared towards measuring sexual purity available on the web. They run the gamut of interesting, amusing, really stupid and downright insulting. Whatever kind of experience one is looking to get from using these tests there is at least one out there for every possible inclination.

Most of these tests are scored by percentage with possible scores anywhere from 0 to 100%. There are also usually quite a few questions to answer, typically any amount from 50 to 2000. Of course there are exceptions to the rule; I'm merely trying to relay the standards amounts. Typically these purity tests ask questions about drug use, alcohol or illicit substances, sexual acts with same sex and opposite sex partners, amount of self-gratification received from various different positions and acts, and reactions to that considered odd or risqué.

For some reason everything must be quantified and qualified in order to be deemed, by many, as legitimate. Some have entered into a discussion as to whether these purity tests are literature or just plain silliness. I don't think that they fall into either of those categories, although I'm sure there are some that could be deemed either or.

Purity tests are an interesting, often times fun way to find out about ourselves and others. Sometimes they facilitate learning about someone else who may be shy when it comes to talking about themselves or needs a circumspect way of getting a message across.

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