This comprehensive reader explores sexual deviance in all of its forms, from abstinence to public sex and cybersex.
Editors explore pathological, sociological, and cultural approaches to sexual deviance and highlight key strands of contemporary research. This is an essential resource for students, researchers, and the general public alike.
Fetish
Fetish and sexual deviance are both erotic attachments to non-genital objects or parts of the human body. While there are no definitive statistics on the prevalence of these disorders, they are common and often involve people in close relationships. It is important for clinicians to understand fetishism and its social context to provide appropriate care.
The earliest accounts of fetish activity date back to the 19th century and were written by Van Krafft Ebbing and Havelock Ellis. At the time, these experiences were interpreted as supernatural powers.
Child
Child sexual deviance is a complex social problem involving multiple components, including genetics, environment, and childhood experiences. In addition, sexual deviance is also influenced by the child’s social relationships and culture. Children with a genetic vulnerability to sexual deviance are more likely to engage in these behaviors, and they may experience a large amount of exposure to these behaviors in their environment. Theories explaining this problem include Bowbly’s attachment theory and Eriksons’ Theory of Psychosocial Development.
Child sexual deviance involves the involvement of a child in sexual activity with another child or with an adult. These interactions are often forced, or involve aggression or coercion. These sexual interactions may be a result of the child’s deviant arousal.
Mutual
Mutual sexual deviance involves two or more people engaging in unvirtuous sexual activity. These activities usually involve material objects or clothing. Usually, the participants know each other well and the sexual activities are for their own enjoyment. In contrast, marriage involves a complete surrender of the body and soul to another human being, and the results are subtle metaphysical unity.
The assumptions behind sexual deviance are not unique to the DSM, and are based on other influential ideas. They are the result of historical and clinical factors that are not rigorously tested. As a result, the terms have been “taken for granted.”
Self
In terms of sexual deviance, there are two main conceptual models. The first, the psychological model, focuses on the individual. It focuses on the id, ego, and superego. The second, the psychiatric model, focuses on the relationships between these parts.
The assumptions about sexual deviance in the DSM are not new; they are based on other influential ideas and not tested rigorously. They have been shaped by influential works, historical and clinical factors that have been taken for granted.
Sex with strangers
Sex with strangers can be a risky proposition. There are a variety of reasons why men and women will engage in this practice. For example, they may be attracted to the physical attractiveness of a stranger. Or, they may be concerned about safety or the risk of STDs. In either case, the desire for fun is intrinsic to human nature, and men and women are both likely to engage in this activity.
Studies have found that men and women are judged differently by women when they initiate contact with strangers. In the case of men, they are perceived as being perverse, desperate, and unintelligent. In contrast, women are seen as more successful and sexually adept.
Rape
Rape is a form of sexual deviance, which is the act of forcing a woman into a sexual act. Though rape is an extremely common crime, not everyone is at risk of being raped. It is a horrible act that should never be tolerated, no matter what gender a victim is. It is also a highly harmful act that can cause a victim great emotional and physical pain. Those who are raped should report the incident immediately to the authorities.
Rape victims can be anyone from a teenager to a senior citizen, and the perpetrators can come from all social classes, economic strata, or ethnic groups. More than 50% of rape victims are known to the perpetrator, but the rest are unknown to the victim. This is because the perpetrators typically choose victims based on several factors – they want a victim who will not cause them trouble or fight back.
