Masturbation is defined as the deliberate stimulation of the genital organs in order to derive sexual pleasure (Laqueur, 2003; Coleman, SS, 1992). Science widely recognises that in childhood and adolescence physical curiosity, self-exploration, and self-stimulation are a natural part of growing up (Hartman, 2014; Landry et al in Fortenberry, 2014). Sometimes this exploration can reveal the goodness of sexual pleasure and lead to a search for its meaning and proper place in human relationships. The Catholic perspective is that sex and sexual pleasure are good, and are intended to be relational, an expression of love between two persons. Sexual affective maturity is achieved when love is directed towards another rather than self. From this viewpoint, masturbation is wrong because it reduces sex to solitary pleasure-seeking, to sex with oneself. Also, by its very nature sexual intercourse is meant to be not only love-giving but also life-giving. Masturbation thwarts that second purpose as well. The Catechism of the Catholic Church advises that the evaluation of moral responsibility for the act of masturbation one must 'take into account the affective immaturity, force of acquired habit, conditions of anxiety or other psychological or social factors that lessen, if not even reduce to a minimum, moral culpability' (CCC 2352). This should also guide pastoral action. From an educational and pastoral viewpoint, . . . it is valuable to consider that masturbation may be a symptom of underlying psychological and interpersonal difficulties that provoke a certain amount of tension that the person seeks to release through these actions. Pedagogical efforts and pastoral care should be focused on the development of the whole person, seeing these actions in context, seeking their underlying causes more than seeking to repress the actions in isolation. [It is advised that teachers] 'should undramatise masturbation and not reduce his or her esteem and benevolence' for the person (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1991 pp. 62,63; cf. Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education, 1983 paras. 99-100)