Some men do not appreciate ancient Greek art as they resort to jelqing, a practice that involves manipulating the penis, often to increase its size or improve erectile function.
As we know many ancient Greek statues depict male figures with small penises. This is quite intentional and reflects the different cultural values of the period.
Doctors have warned that a bizarre penis-enlarging TikTok trend known as jelqing could actually make your genitals smaller. The supposedly “ancient” technique involves repeatedly stretching a semi-erect penis over time in the hopes that it will enlarge the organ.
In theory, each tug gradually rips the penile tissue, allowing space for scar tissue to fill it out, making it look bigger.
@realdavidboydmd There is no evidence this works, but if it intrigues you… profeed with caution. #fyp #health #doctor
♬ original sound – Dr. Boyd
The practice of jelqing is dangerous
But the practice puts men at risk of Peyronie’s Disease, which is when scar tissue forms in the deeper tissue under the skin of the penis, causing curved, painful erections. It can also make the penis shorter while erect.
Doctors have pinpointed some other risks associated with jelqing including the danger of infection as bacteria can enter into the urethra.
There is a particular buzz around jelqing online in Reddit forums of incels – involuntary celibate men who form their identity around their perceived inability to have romantic relationships with women. They strive to be beautiful, irresistible, and well-endowed.
Meanwhile, on TikTok, thousands of videos posted by young men demonstrate how to do the technique and claim it adds “an inch and a half” in length and “an inch” in girth.
Dr Jamin Brahmbhatt, a urologist at Orlando Health, said that the discomfort associated with Peyronie’s, during sex or not, isn’t worth it. “It’s a complete waste of guys’ time,” he told the Daily Mail recently.
“It can be very painful, and sometimes the scarring can take three to six months or even a year to build up for you to even notice the change. So you may think you haven’t seen any negative side effects, but it may just take some time,” he added.
Ancient Greek art provides an alternative to jelqing
Some men resort to jelqing because of the unrealistic beauty standards and societal pressures regarding penis size.
Maybe they should instead take a look at the aesthetics of the male body from ancient Greece, where a small penis was associated with positive qualities like self-control, rationality, and even civility. Large phalluses were seen as linked to lust, barbarity, and lack of restraint.
Satyrs, half-man, half-goat creatures known for their wildness, were often depicted with large phalluses. The Greeks often presented their enemies, the Egyptians, the satirical creatures, and even fools in comedies as having large appendages.
This served as a contrast to the controlled and idealized figures of gods and heroes. The small penis was also a stylistic choice to focus on other aspects of the male form, like musculature or heroism.
In the ancient Greek world of around 400 BC, erect penises were considered neither desirable nor a sign of power or strength.
In his play The Clouds (c. 419–423 BC), ancient Greek playwright, Aristophanes, summed up the ideal traits of his male peers as “a gleaming chest, bright skin, broad shoulders, tiny tongue, strong buttocks, and a little prick.”
Historian Paul Chrystal has also conducted research into this ancient ideal. “The small penis was consonant with Greek ideals of male beauty,” he writes in his book In Bed with the Ancient Greeks (2016). “It was a badge of the highest culture and a paragon of civilization.”
Related: Why Greek Statues Have Small Penises: Woman’s Lecture Goes Viral
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