Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Penile Compensation (Part One)

Many years ago, Mr. Nuts and I had a long conversation about this. I'm not entirely sure whose idea it was originally, but I think it was his. Anyways, over the years, we've had numerous discussions on the subject to the point that I think we have almost evolved it into a science. So I am going to attempt to write it all down in a semi-organized format.

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First off, I guess I should explain exactly what penile compensation is. For those of you who don't know, it is more or less a psychological theory on why many men act the way they do. We've all heard or said "that guy must be compensating for something." Well, this is just the reasoning behind it.

Many men subconsiously try to compensate for having a small penis by acting out in various ways. This can include (but is not limited too) squealing tires, exceedingly bad driving, road rage, picking fights, lifting weights, taking steroids, binge drinking, buying expensive objects, racism, sexism, belittling those weaker then them, joining the military, working construction, and many other forms of testosterone-based showing off. By no means do any of these examples mean that a person is compensating, they are just examples of what a compensating person might do.

This compensation is present in most men to some degree or another. It is often most severly coupled with something known more loosely as "little man syndrome," but it can still be found in just about any type of person just the same. My personal beliefs is that it is due to an ingrained notion that all men, even gay men, are aware of. That notion is that "you don't look at another man's penis."

In high school, college, and even everyday life, men are constantly told by other men about the size of the individuals dick. Cock-bragging is as much a part of normal male life as breathing. We all brag up the size of our cocks. Sure, we are almost always exaggerating, and it is expected of us too exagerate. It's not really a sport but more of a continual had-to-be-there joke that is only understood by men. For taller men, its usally something like "big hands, big feet." For smaller men, sayings like "mines only four inches... thick" are more common place. There are millions of different versions to the joke and about 95% of the time they are complete bullshit. The problem lies however in the fact that we never see another penis (well, unless we are gay) to compare these ridiculous tales too. Sure we take group showers in high school, moon people, pee in public places, but at no time do we look unless we are actually invited to. It's just considered wrong. Even gay men usually won't break this rule as the consequences would be quite severe if caught. Usully involving something like having your face slammed into a urinal over and over agian until it is a bloody pulp.

There are exceptions to the rules. Such as penis peircings. While men rarely get their penis peirced for any other reason then to please themselves and their partners sexually, it is considered an invitation to look. If a peirced man is naked for any reason among a group of other men (group shower, nudist camp, etc.) , then it is considered an open invitation to glance at the peircing. You still aren't allowed to stare or closely examine it but you are at least allowed to look. Even in such places as a nudist camp, if you are male you are not allowed to look unless something down there shines back.

This can cause a real problem for men who are constintly told everyone elses penis is 12" long while theres is closer to 4 or 5 inches. Unless they rent porn, they will never get to see another man's penis to compare theres with. And since porn stars tend to be on the more endowed list anyways, this is not the best way to solve the problem.

Another problem arises in the actually measuring of the penis. There really has never been a blatantly published source on how to properly measure a penis. This article is probably one of the best ones on the subject that I have ever read as it is both informative and short enough to keep your attention span. It also includes very descriptive instructions on how to properly measure your penis.

As you can see (if you actually read the article), accurately measuring your penis isn't exaclty easy. Most men who actually do take the time to try be more accurate, will get it hard and guess how long it is. For example: I've been told that my penis is anywhere from 5 to 10 inches. About a year ago I actually took the effort to get a proper measurement using these techniques, and all I can say is there are a lot of people who shouldn't eyeball measurements for a living. My own personal guess, was pretty close, but still inaccuate. They're aren't many men who've actually measured their own penis's. Most just assume they are about 4-6 inches and tell everyone they are 8-12 inches. Which only further enhances there compensation problems.

So why do men engage in this self-destructive sport so willingly? Hopefully, I'll discuss that in part two.