Heather Little-White, Ph.D., Contributor
I AM A little teapot, short and stout', is a childhood rhyme which has become synonymous with poking fun at the penis. The penis has been subjected to several slang terms. However, it is a very vital external sex organ and is the male organ for copulation and urination. Like other parts of the body, the penis will vary in shape and size like all other parts of the body. Penis size is often cause for curiosity and concern and influences how the penis is used for physical and psychological satisfaction.
Andrew, 44: "I am comfortable with my looks and probably the envy of some of my colleagues. I am four inches long when I am flaccid and may get twice as long when I have an erection. Without an erection, I am about one and a quarter inches in diameter, adding an extra quarter inch or so with an erection. Generally, I have had some good times and also some embarrassing times when in mind and the body could not connect and it just couldn't get up."
Tom, 88: "In my days, I used to roam the town. Now I am old, I have to live on the memories because I cannot get it up anymore even though I want to when I see the sexy girls around. Maybe I should have saved some for my old days by settling down early in life."
Ron, 15: "At age 10, I had sex with my 15- -year-old cousin because the older boys in my community said it was time to 'bruk my ducks' and that 'cousin and cousin mek good soup'. I did not know what to do but my cousin guided me. I didn't like it but she came after me for more as we were often alone in the same house. She started going with a big man who had moved next door and she did not want to do it with me again. I tried it with a classmate and she said she liked it. I am doing it with several other girls in the school and women in the community."
Lloyd, 45: "My joy is to use my penis in a creative way to keep the spark in my 20-year old marriage. I have been monogamous and I my wife tells me that she is satisfied and happy with my performance. I don't have to worry about getting AIDS through sexual intercourse."
'Girls man' Keith, 38: "I made my mark around the country, almost every place I stopped on my route as a salesman. I am well-endowed and I think of myself as a 'girls man' but I am weak in my body because I am dying from AIDS. My advice to all of you is to use a condom with your sex partner whether she looks good or not and try to stick to one partner. It is hard for me to know from whom I picked up HIV and that still bothers me."
Rick, 52: "I steal love on the side as I am married but you need some variety as things get pretty boring in the bedroom. I like excitement but my wife likes routine. I have a steady place to get my the excitement I need, but I wear a condom with my 'deputy' as she has another relationship and I would not want to infect my wife as she is a good wife and mother to our children."
Self-stimulation
Paul, 28: "I like when I play with mine and I reach a climax. I feel satisfied and go to sleep. I am scared of going into another relationship as I was badly hurt in one. I will go this way until the Lord guides me."
Kenneth, 31: "I am a virgin to this day. I grew up with my Christian parents and we believe that the penis is special and should not be used before marriage as sex before marriage is a sin. I am courting a girl in college and when she is finished we will get married and my penis will be put to do God's will."
Rapist
Ricardo, 22: "In last week's Outlook, vaginas spoke out about some of the ordeals they suffered. I feel it for them and must confess that I get pleasure from raping virgin girls. It makes me feel powerful, using my penis to get sexual satisfaction."
Howard, 55: "I feel badly when I cannot satisfy my woman because I cannot sustain an erection any more. I try to find other ways to satisfy her but she is not happy. I feel ashamed even to go to my doctor for help."
Sexual fulfilment
Lance, 39: "I don't control my sexual destiny any more my wife does. She uses oral and other forms of sexual arousal to add spice to our 10-year old marriage. She also ensures that I get annual checks for cancer and other types of disease that may affect my health and renders me useless in bed. She feeds me well with wholesome foods to boost my performance."
Mark, 33: "I enjoy fellatio and I always beg my girlfriends to do it. They usually try to please me. I made one of me girlfriends so mad with me and when I tried to make up with her she engaged in oral sex and gave me a deep bite. I had to get stitches and I have a slight deformity. I guess the lesson is not to cross a woman as there is no telling what she will do to get back at you."
Ronnie, 47: "I learnt so much from my father, who was considered the village stud and fathered 21 children. I have come the same way and already I have 10. I just can't control myself when I see a good-looking woman. I cannot perform with 'rubbers' and I encourage the women to use something to prevent pregnancy."
Male orgy
Carl, 36: "I found that I was always attracted to other men although I had girlfriends. Ten years ago, I was in a circle of male friends who had an orgy. I was approached by a handsome man and tried anal sex and I enjoyed it. I am happy with my male sexual partner and we excite each other with erotic sex."
Vincent, 46: "I used 'chiny brush' to last longer during sex but one of the time I had to find the hospital because I used too much. I am still suffering from it. My warning to my colleagues is to stay far from those things, build up your body and make it work for you."
Clive, 27: " I am happiest when I am with the woman I love. She keeps me warm and I feel safe. I honour my marriage vow to forsake all others and she has not given me any reason to go elsewhere."
Men's capacity for erotic pleasures relies largely on their penises. How men use their penises to achieve sexual pleasure is deeply rooted in cultural practices, personal values and beliefs, peer pressure and family influences.
