Sexual Behavior in the Human Male

876 Pages·1998·41.7 MB·English

by  Alfred C. Kinsey

SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN
THE HUMAN MALE
SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN
THE HUMAN MALE

ALFRED C. KINSEY
Professor of Zoology, Indiana University

WARDELL B. POMEROY
Research Associate, Indiana University

CLYDE E. MARTIN
Research Associate, Indiana University

INDIANA UNIVERSITY PRESS
Bloomington and Indianapolis
This edition is a publication of
Indiana University Press
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Bloomington, IN 47404-3797 USA
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Originally published in 1948 by W. B. Saunders Company
Copyright renewed 1975
Anne K. Call, Bruce McMillen Kinsey, and Joan K. Reid
All rights reserved

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Manufactured in the United States of America
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Library of Congress.
ISBN 0-253-33412-8 (cloth) 1 2 3 4 5 03 02 01 00 99 98
TO
the twelve thousand persons who
have contributed to these data
AND TO
the eighty-eight thousand more who,
someday, will help complete this study
PREFACE
Seen from the four points of the compass a great mountain may present
aspects that are very different one from the other—so different that bitter
disagreements can arise between those who have watched the mountain, truly
and well, through all the seasons, but each from a different quarter. Reality, too,
has many facets—some too readily disputed or denied by those who rely only on
their own experience. Nor can science itself rightly lay claim to finality or the
complete comprehension of reality, but only to honesty and accuracy of the
additional facets it may be permitted to discover and report. I say “may be
permitted” since the human race is familiar with the suppression of truth in both
small matters and great. The history of science is part of the history of the
freedom to observe, to reflect, to experiment, to record, and to bear witness. It
has been a perilous and a passionate history indeed, and not yet ended.
Living creatures possess three basic characteristics or capacities—growth,
adaptation, and reproduction. In human biology, the reproductive function has
been the least and the last studied, scientifically. To the National Research
Council’s Committee for Research on Problems of Sex belongs the credit for
sponsoring a more significant series of research studies on sex than has been
accomplished perhaps by any other agency. Among these studies the findings of
Dr. Alfred C. Kinsey and his associates at Indiana University deserve attention
for their extent, their thoroughness, and their dispassionate objectivity. Dr.
Kinsey has studied sex phenomena of human beings as a biologist would
examine biological phenomena, and the evidence he has secured is presented
from the scientist’s viewpoint, without moral bias or prejudice derived from
current taboos.
Certainly no aspect of human biology in our current civilization stands in
more need of scientific knowledge and courageous humility than that of sex. The
history of medicine proves that in so far as man seeks to know himself and face
his whole nature, he has become free from bewildered fear, despondent shame,
or arrant hypocrisy. As long as sex is dealt with in the current confusion of
ignorance and sophistication, denial and indulgence, suppression and
stimulation, punishment and exploitation, secrecy and display, it will be
associated with a duplicity and indecency that lead neither to intellectual honesty
nor human dignity.
These studies are sincere, objective, and determined explorations of a field
manifestly important to education, medicine, government, and the integrity of
human conduct generally. They have demanded from Dr. Kinsey and his
colleagues very unusual tenacity of purpose, tolerance, analytical competence,
social skills, and real courage. I hope that the reader will match the authors with
an equal and appropriate measure of cool attention, courageous judgment, and
scientific equanimity.
ALAN GREGG
The Medical Sciences
Rockefeller Foundation
New York City
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First of all, acknowledgment should be made to the 12,000 persons who have
contributed histories, and particularly to the 5300 males who have provided the
data on which the present volume is based. These persons represent each and
every age, from children to the oldest groups; they represent every social level,
of several racial groups. If these persons had not helped there would have been
no study. It has taken considerable courage for many of them to discuss such
intimate aspects of their histories, and to risk their confidences with the scientific
investigators. They have contributed in order that there should be an increase in
our knowledge of this important aspect of human biology and sociology. It is
unfortunate that we cannot name each and every one involved. Those who have
spent time in persuading their friends to cooperate have contributed in a very
special way; and to them we are especially indebted for devoted and effective
service.
Herman R Wells, the President of Indiana University, Fernandus Payne, Dean
of the Graduate School of the University, the Trustees, and others in the
Administration of the University have constantly encouraged, materially
supported, and stoutly defended the importance of this research.
The Rockefeller Foundation has contributed a major portion of the cost of the
program during the past six years. Dr. Alan Gregg, as Director for the Medical
Sciences of The Foundation, has encouraged a wide-scale, long-time project
which would adequately cover all social levels and all aspects of sexual behavior
in our society.
The National Research Council’s Committee for Research on Problems of
Sex, as a part of the Medical Division of the Council, has administered the funds
granted by The Rockefeller Foundation. It has encouraged and advised on many
aspects of the research. Especial mention should be made of the cordial support
given by Dr. Robert M. Yerkes, who has served as Chairman of the Research
Council’s Committee since its inception more than twenty-five years ago. Under
Dr. Yerkes’ guidance the Committee has contributed to a long list of notable
projects on the sex endocrines; on the behavior of chimpanzees at the Yerkes
Laboratories at Orange Park, Florida; on the behavior of lower mammals,
particularly under the direction of Dr. Frank A. Beach, formerly at the American
Museum of Natural History and now at Yale University; and on the human
studies which were published by Peck and Wells (1923, 1925), by Hamilton