Sexual Deviances Essay, Research Paper

Sexual disorders are categorized into three general groups. The

groups are sexual dysfunctions, sexual deviations, and

homosexuality. These are not necessary abnormal, but what is

considered out of the norm by either the mental health

establishment, or society, or both.

The first group, sexual dysfunctions, have increased

significantly over the last decade. Which, in turn, has

increased the progress in the study and treatment of sexual

dysfunctions. One important aspect that came out of William

masters and Virginia Johnson?s research is classifying the

various forms of dysfunctions. Closely related is Kaplan?s

system which groups sexual dysfunctions according to the phase in

the sexual response cycle in which they occur.

There are three phases in the sexual response cycle. The

first one, called the desire phase, involves sexual fantasies and

interest in sexual activity. Failure to feel this in either a

man or woman is called hypoactive sexual desire. The second

phase is called the excitement phase. In this phase, the sexual

fantasy, or encounter is usually followed by physiological

changes. The absence or weakness of these responses is called

erectile dysfunction (or impotence) in men, and general sexual

dysfunction in women. The third phase is called the orgasm

phase. This is the phase of sexual response. If the man is

unable to exert control, and ejaculates very quickly, this is

called premature ejaculation. If, on the other hand, ejaculation

is greatly delayed, or does not happen at all, this is called

retarded ejaculation. A delay or absence of orgasm in women is

called orgastic dysfunction.

There are two more types of sexual dysfunction that do not

fit completely with this typology. The first is a female

disorder called vaginisimus. This occurs when, during coitus,

the walls of the vagina contract involuntarily, making insertion

of the penis difficult or impossible. The second disorder is

dyspareunia, or pain during intercourse. This occurs in both

sexes, but is usually a female complaint.

To make these types even more specific, Kaplan subdivides

these disorders into two dimensions. They are primary and

secondary. Primary dysfunction has been with the individual as

far back as their earliest sexual experiences. In a secondary

dysfunction the response has been normal on at least one

occasion, but is abnormal at the time of diagnosis.

Sexual inadequacy is a common fear among men and women

alike. Many psychologists state that this fear is almost always

present in cases of individuals growing up of strict religious

orthodoxy households, and that were taught that sex is sinful and

repulsive.

?One woman seen by Masters and Johnson was told by her

mother on her wedding day: It would be her duty as a wife to

allow her husband ?privileges?. The privileges were never

spelled out. She also was assured that she would be hurt by her

husband, but that ?it? would go away in time. Finally and most

important, she was told that ?good women? never expressed

interest in the ?thing?. Her reward for serving her husband

would be, hopefully, in having children.?(Acocella 266)

Sexual deviations, which are now spoken of casually, were

talked about in whispers no more than twenty-five years ago.

There are ten different areas of sexual deviations. These ten

are: fetishism, transvestitism, exhibitionism, voyeurism,

pedophilia, incest, rape, sadism, and masochism.

Fetishism is the strong sexual attraction to inanimate

objects. The most common objects of fetishism are women?s shoes,

underpants, wigs, and fur. One case was cited about a man being

sexual gratified by the sight of well-formed automobile exhaust

pipes. Virtually all of the reported cases of fetishism involve

males. This does not necessarily mean that there are not any

cases involving females, but, it just means that females are much

less likely to be arrested, or even reported, than males. A

woman with obvious sexual quirks or abnormalities may attract

attention or scorn, but most people do not consider her

dangerous. Males, on the other hand, with this behavior, tend to

be viewed as a public menace.

Transvestites are similar to fetishists in that they are

sexually excited by inanimate objects. But, transvestites go one

step further, and actually put on their fetishes, which are the

clothes of the opposite sex. Because of the association with

female clothing, transvestitism is easily confused with

homosexuality, but they are two quite separate patterns. Some

homosexuals do cross-dress, but these individuals are referred to

as ?drag queens?. ?..according to one study of 262 transvestites

(Buckner, 1970), the cast majority of transvestites think of

themselves as heterosexuals.?(Acocella 273) Transvestitism is

thought to be relatively rare, but as with female sexual

aberrations, the reported rarity may be due to lack of public

exposure of public alarm. Many transvestites lead quiet,

conventional lives, cross-dressing in their own homes.

Unlike transvestites, transsexuals-most of whom, again, are

males-believe that they truly do belong to the opposite sex.

They consider their gender an ugly mistake. Cross-dressing on a

regular basis, they do not feel the sexual arousal transvestites

feel, but they feel relaxed. There have been few reported cases

of transsexual ?cures?-that is, of transsexuals reoriented into

their biological gender, usually by changing their behavioral

techniques.

Exhibitionism and voyeurism are the two sex offenses most

often reported to the police. And, while both cases have victims

involved, exhibitionists and voyeurs are rarely dangerous.

Despite this fact, they are almost always dealt with very harshly

in court on the assumption that if their case is tried ?lightly?,

they will go on to more serious crimes, such as rape. However,

they are extremely likely to do so.

In the most typical of exhibition cases, there is usually a

young male, probably in an unhappy marriage. He experiences an

irresistible impulse to exhibit himself, and goes to a public

place, such as a city park, or department store, and finds an

appropriate victim-most likely a young woman or girl-and shows

her his penis. The exhibitionist?s gratification comes from the

woman?s response, which is generally fear, horror, and revulsion.

Observing the victim?s reaction, the exhibitionist experiences

complete sexual pleasure. In voyeurism, as in exhibitionism,

there is usually an element of normal sexual activity. Voyeurs

are often withdrawn both socially and sexually from the outside

world, which makes it harder for them to learn more appropriate

interpersonal skills.

Sadism and Masochism are closely related to the word

?aggression?. And, it is not uncommon to bite or scratch during

intercourse. However, in sadism and masochism, the element of

physical cruelty-giving and receiving-assumes a central role in

sexual functioning. The term sadism is taken from the name of

Marquis de Sade, whose novels included numbers erotic scenes

featuring the delights of whipping a woman. Masochism is named

for an Austrian novelist, Leopard on Sacher-Masoch, whose male

characters took great delight when physically abused by women.

The patterns of sadism and masochism turn up primarily in

men. Cruelty degrees range from sticking others with pins to

acts of murder and mutilation. The masochist may only need to

suffer mild pain, or he may be chained or whipped. The sadist

may also reach orgasm through pain alone, or the abuse stage may

just be ?foreplay?, leading eventually to intercourse.

Many of the cases of sadism and masochism are dual patterns,

which include one of each type of person pairing up in a

relationship to satisfy both of their tastes. Some

sadomasochistic relationships are sometimes found within

otherwise conventional marriages, but, most individuals prefer

homosexual lifestyles.

Pedophilia, along with incest and rape, is a aberration

which has many sufferers. Serious psychological damage is the

result of these behaviors. Most cases involve a male generally

in his thirties or forties, married or divorced, and, have

children of their own. The victim is a young girl, one who is

well known to the pedophile; typically a neighbor, relative, or a

friend of the family. And, it is not unlikely that a child?s

innocently uninhibited show of affection is what triggers the

first episode. Once the first episode has taken place, this

relationship may last for months, or even years if it is not

found out and if the child does not tell his or her parents.

The pedophile has been described in much the same way as the

exhibitionist and voyeur. This would be referring to a man who

has failed socially, sexually, as well as in the adult world and

thus goes in search of a less threatening relationship, such as a

innocent child.

Most societies have had throughout their histories a sort of

?taboo? on incest. ?Kinsey and his co-workers (1948) reported

that .5 percent of the males interviewed in their study admitted

to acts of incest, and in view of the fact that incest tends to

remain a well-kept family secret, the incidence is probably

considerably higher? (Coon 689).

While, brother-sister incest is the most common, there are

traces of father-daughter incest, but mother-son incest is very

rare. Brother-sister incest usually occurs accidentally in

lower-class families where brothers and sisters share the same

beds. In father-daughter incestuous relationships, the elements

seem clearer. Even though most people assume the father to be a

promiscuous male, taking his daughter as just one of his many

unselective ?sexual contacts?, this is more than likely not true.

Many reports state that most incestuous fathers confine their

extramarital sexual experiences with their daughter or daughters

only, starting with eldest and going down the line as the years

pass. Furthermore, fathers who seduce their daughters are likely

to be highly moralistic and be devoutly attached to religious

doctrines. And, in some cases, the relationship may even be

encouraged by the mother as a way of escaping her husband?s

sexual advances.

It is hard to estimate the incidence of rape, because many

individuals have different ideas or standards what constitutes

rape. Some states classify any act of a man trying to force

himself upon a woman as rape, while other states say that

intercourse has to occur, and, there must be a witness.

Psychological damage is apparent in both parties. The person who

committed the act is usually a victim to an anti-social

personality-following their impulses, and seizing whatever they

want. In addition to physical harm, the victim will most likely

suffer from physiological damage, manifested in nightmares, loss

of appetite, phobic reactions, and difficulty in returning to

normal sexual functioning.

The word homosexuality designates sexual activity towards

one?s own sex. In most societies, it is a very common practice,

but has also been severely stigmatized and severely punished.

Today, many homosexuals face a tough question; ?Should I come

out?? The answer is not simple, because it has an immediate

effect upon that person?s life.

Some states have passed laws against discrimination of any

kind towards homosexuals. And, in 1973, the Board of Trustees of

the American Psychiatric Association voted to drop homosexuality

from the list of sexual disorders. However, they left a

diagnostic category for homosexuals who were disturbed by their

sexual orientation and wished to change it. This category is

called ego-dystonic homosexuality, and it does not include people

who are suffering from adjustment problems because the society

they live in do not accept their sexuality.

While the human sexual impulse is capable of gratification

through a wide range of outlets, Western society tends to regard

heterosexual coitus as the only normal outlet. In the years to

come this might differ slightly, due to the rapidly changing

ideas of the modern world. Opening the doors of thought will

lead minds into knew ways of thinking, which in turn shows the

youth of tomorrow not to be ashamed of who they are.

Bibliography

Acocella, Joan Ross. Abnormal Psychology: Current Perspectives. New York: Random

House. 1972.

Coon, Dennis. Introduction to Psychology: Exploration and Application. Santa Barbara

City College: West Publishing Company. 1977.