# Do nurses or doctors ever have to masturbate disabled or paralyzed people? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 13, 2012, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nurses-or-doctors-ever-have-to-masturbate-disabled-or-paralyzed-people/634572 "2012-09-13T03:45:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2012, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nurses-or-doctors-ever-have-to-masturbate-disabled-or-paralyzed-people/634572/41 "2012-09-14T12:08:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\* Do nurses or doctors ever have to masturbate disabled or paralyzed people?\*\* Absolutely. I hear lots of griping about this in the doctors’ lounge. It’s why I went into a specialty that doesn’t involve direct patient care. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2012, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nurses-or-doctors-ever-have-to-masturbate-disabled-or-paralyzed-people/634572/42 "2012-09-14T13:41:48Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > No. > In most US states, the prostitution laws say something like “whether for a consideration or no”, which means whether paid or not, it’s illegal. Can you point to one such state? In Florida, for example, consideration is definitely an element of the crime: [QUOTE=§796.07, Florida Statutes] **Prohibiting prostitution, etc.; evidence; penalties; definitions** (1) As used in this section: (a) “Prostitution” means the giving or receiving of the body for sexual activity for hire but excludes sexual activity between spouses. (b) “Lewdness” means any indecent or obscene act. (c) “Assignation” means the making of any appointment or engagement for prostitution or lewdness, or any act in furtherance of such appointment or engagement. (d) “Sexual activity” means oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by, or union with, the sexual organ of another; anal or vaginal penetration of another by any other object; or the handling or fondling of the sexual organ of another for the purpose of masturbation; however, the term does not include acts done for bona fide medical purposes. [/QUOTE] Emphasis added. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2012, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nurses-or-doctors-ever-have-to-masturbate-disabled-or-paralyzed-people/634572/43 "2012-09-14T17:53:59Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Um, if nobody is getting paid, ain’t no prostitutin’ going down. :dubious: Virginia law forbids sex “for money or its equivalent.” ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2012, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nurses-or-doctors-ever-have-to-masturbate-disabled-or-paralyzed-people/634572/44 "2012-09-14T18:05:16Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Virginia law forbids sex “for money or its equivalent.” What is “it’s equivalent”? Is “lust” the equivalent of money? 😕 Is “pity”? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2012, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nurses-or-doctors-ever-have-to-masturbate-disabled-or-paralyzed-people/634572/45 "2012-09-14T18:10:07Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > What is “it’s equivalent”? Is “lust” the equivalent of money? 😕 Is “pity”? A steak dinner with a bottle of wine. ---
**Author:** ![sich\_hinaufwinden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@sich\_hinaufwinden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sich_hinaufwinden)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2012, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nurses-or-doctors-ever-have-to-masturbate-disabled-or-paralyzed-people/634572/46 "2012-09-14T20:22:48Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > It’s not masturbation if someone else does it to or “for” you. The three dictionaries cited in the following link disagree with you. > **[Dictionary.com | Meanings & Definitions of English Words](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/masturbation?s=t)** > > The world's leading online dictionary: English definitions, synonyms, word origins, example sentences, word games, and more. A trusted authority for 25+ years! ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2012, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nurses-or-doctors-ever-have-to-masturbate-disabled-or-paralyzed-people/634572/47 "2012-09-14T20:47:50Z")
> [@sich\_hinaufwinden](#): > > The three dictionaries cited in the following link disagree with you. > > [MASTURBATION Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com](http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/masturbation?s=t) Etymologically it’s “hand stimulation” - there’s nothing inherent in the word that the hand must be your own. It’s not like “suicide”, which is an act done to oneself by definition. ---
**Author:** ![al27052](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/41988e/32.png) [@al27052](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/al27052)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2012, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nurses-or-doctors-ever-have-to-masturbate-disabled-or-paralyzed-people/634572/49 "2012-09-14T23:52:23Z")
> [@Csnow](#): > > The only way I can see someone being able to “request satisfaction” and unable to provide same satisfaction for themselves would be a quadriplegic. A paraplegic would be able to satisfy their own needs. Though from my understanding, they lose sensation as well as use of the limbs so would not be able to feel said activities. Maybe they request assistance for the psychological purposes of it all. I request that you suck my dick, oh spamly one. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2012, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nurses-or-doctors-ever-have-to-masturbate-disabled-or-paralyzed-people/634572/50 "2012-09-15T00:09:12Z")
> [@Csnow](#): > > The only way I can see someone being able to “request satisfaction” and unable to provide same satisfaction for themselves would be a quadriplegic. A paraplegic would be able to satisfy their own needs. Though from my understanding, they lose sensation as well as use of the limbs so would not be able to feel said activities. Maybe they request assistance for the psychological purposes of it all. It’s possible to lose the use of the upper extremities and retain the use of the lower extremities, you know. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2012, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nurses-or-doctors-ever-have-to-masturbate-disabled-or-paralyzed-people/634572/51 "2012-09-15T00:53:13Z")
One could have a condition involving loss of voluntary motor control without loss of sensory response. Seems to me masturbation requires a certain amount of fine motor control, too much shaking and/or palsy, release could be just a little too far off. For men, if the prostate becomes a problem, surgery can take care of it. If we can fix the issue, preventative measures are not acceptable if they might offend someone’s sensibilities. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2012, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nurses-or-doctors-ever-have-to-masturbate-disabled-or-paralyzed-people/634572/52 "2012-09-15T03:10:12Z")
“…Do nurses or doctors ever have to masturbate disabled or paralyzed people?..” The co-pay is a bitch. Reasonable and Customary is hard to determine. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2012, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nurses-or-doctors-ever-have-to-masturbate-disabled-or-paralyzed-people/634572/53 "2012-09-15T03:19:12Z")
If a doctor or nurse were to be required to masturbate a paralyzed/disabled person, how would the issue of sexual orientation be addressed (not only of the “service-ee” but of the medical professional as well)? ---
**Author:** ![al27052](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/41988e/32.png) [@al27052](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/al27052)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2012, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nurses-or-doctors-ever-have-to-masturbate-disabled-or-paralyzed-people/634572/54 "2012-09-15T11:11:53Z")
> [@For You](#): > > For men, if the prostate becomes a problem, surgery can take care of it. If we can fix the issue, preventative measures are not acceptable if they might offend someone’s sensibilities. Surgery carries risks of infections and complications. But that’s probably falling on deaf ears. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2012, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nurses-or-doctors-ever-have-to-masturbate-disabled-or-paralyzed-people/634572/55 "2012-09-15T12:00:18Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Nope. Last time I had one of those was years ago. Heck, I’ve _never_ had one of those. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2012, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nurses-or-doctors-ever-have-to-masturbate-disabled-or-paralyzed-people/634572/56 "2012-09-15T12:20:49Z")
> [@al27052](#): > > Surgery carries risks of infections and complications. > > But that’s probably falling on deaf ears. For what it’s worth, I’m all in favor of legalizing prostitution and allowing prostitutes to be hired by patients or their Power of Attorney so that the sexual health of patients can be attended to. I do agree that we tend to ignore sexual health and that probably has a negative effect on mental/emotional health and directly or indirectly on physical health. Want to make a prostitute part of your health care team? Sure, why not? Want \*me \*to provide sexual therapy? No. I don’t do Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy or Speech Therapy, either. ---
**Author:** ![al27052](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/41988e/32.png) [@al27052](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/al27052)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2012, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nurses-or-doctors-ever-have-to-masturbate-disabled-or-paralyzed-people/634572/57 "2012-09-15T12:32:50Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > For what it’s worth, I’m all in favor of legalizing prostitution and allowing prostitutes to be hired by patients or their Power of Attorney so that the sexual health of patients can be attended to. I do agree that we tend to ignore sexual health and that probably has a negative effect on mental/emotional health and directly or indirectly on physical health. > > Want to make a prostitute part of your health care team? Sure, why not? Want \*me \*to provide sexual therapy? No. I don’t do Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy or Speech Therapy, either. And you thought I was talking to you because… ---
**Author:** ![Satchmo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/satchmo/32/4223_2.png) [@Satchmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satchmo)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2012, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nurses-or-doctors-ever-have-to-masturbate-disabled-or-paralyzed-people/634572/58 "2012-09-15T13:25:59Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > “…Do nurses or doctors ever have to masturbate disabled or paralyzed people?..” > > The co-pay is a bitch. Reasonable and Customary is hard to determine. “20 dollars, just like in town.” Ba doom, ching! Thank you, thank you. Please remember to tip your waitress! ---
**Author:** ![al27052](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/41988e/32.png) [@al27052](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/al27052)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2012, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nurses-or-doctors-ever-have-to-masturbate-disabled-or-paralyzed-people/634572/59 "2012-09-15T13:28:39Z")
> [@Satchmo](#): > > “20 dollars, just like in town.” > > Ba doom, ching! Thank you, thank you. Please remember to tip your waitress! $20? Wow. Inflation is _rough_, baby! ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2012, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nurses-or-doctors-ever-have-to-masturbate-disabled-or-paralyzed-people/634572/60 "2012-09-15T13:40:57Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > If a doctor or nurse were to be required to masturbate a paralyzed/disabled person, how would the issue of sexual orientation be addressed (not only of the “service-ee” but of the medical professional as well)? If we are approaching it from a medical prospective that the male patient just needs a “release” then preferences really don’t matter. I don’t like it when a male doctor sticks his finger in my ass to check my prostate, but again, it’s a medical issue; I can’t request a female so it’s more fun. But if we are looking at it from a “disabled people need sexual activity as well” perspective then why not bring in twins dressed in dominatrix outfits or whatever other fantasies that would help. Is it medical or is it getting off? ---
**Author:** ![al27052](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/41988e/32.png) [@al27052](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/al27052)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2012, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nurses-or-doctors-ever-have-to-masturbate-disabled-or-paralyzed-people/634572/61 "2012-09-15T13:45:22Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > If we are approaching it from a medical prospective that the male patient just needs a “release” then preferences really don’t matter. I don’t like it when a male doctor sticks his finger in my ass to check my prostate, but again, it’s a medical issue; I can’t request a female so it’s more fun. > > But if we are looking at it from a “disabled people need sexual activity as well” perspective then why not bring in twins dressed in dominatrix outfits or whatever other fantasies that would help. > > Is it medical or is it getting off? Well, you can always stick an electrified dildo up a man’s ass. That will definitely clean out the pipes. However, for people who still have sensation down there, and would not enjoy that, I would imagine that a handjob would probably be a little more compassionate. They really shouldn’t need much visual stimulation, should they? I mean, if they can’t service themselves, they’re probably pretty damned horny, by the time they can get someone to take care of them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nurses-or-doctors-ever-have-to-masturbate-disabled-or-paralyzed-people/634572.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nurses-or-doctors-ever-have-to-masturbate-disabled-or-paralyzed-people/634572.md?page=4)