Sexual activity: Biastophilia
Biastophilia, referring to rape, represents the act of assaulting another person sexually without their consent. The victim experiences a surprise attack and continuous violent assault from a stranger as he or she struggles to attain organism and facilitated by an independent sexuoerotic arousal (Fierman 458). Biastophilia happens in different social contexts depending on the intention, social status, mental status, and the prevailing environmental factors. The following paper discusses the Biastophilia in two different social contexts. The first context represents a husband raping her wife (also referred to as marital Biastophilia) while the second context represents a mentally ill person committing the rape offense. The two social contexts will be analyzed based on social approaches towards Biastophilia and circumstances under which the action could be acceptable.
Biastophilia among married partners (marital rape)
Biastophilia in the marriage social context represents a form of physical assault that falls under the study of sexual violence in marriage and referred to as forcible rape. The United States criminal system recognizes such form of sexual activity as a crime when a male forces a female counterpart to have sex either at gunpoint or under any other violence act. Sociologists term the act of sexual abuse or domestic violence and mostly perpetrated by abusive relationships. Research on different causes and factors contributing to Biastophilia between married couples have different approaches. The research lacks development because of the presence of the evidence as to whether the rape happens in reality or it is just another form of domestic violence. On the other hand, some wife rape cases go unreported because of the woman's unwillingness to accept her victimization or the need to maintain family secrets.
Social attitudes and norms towards Biastophilia involving marriage partners
Various communities have varying social norms and myths describing different sexual activities and their meanings. Moreover, societies have different ways of reacting to victims and perpetrators of rape depending on the social context that the activity happens. Social attitudes and norms towards marital rapes reveal that many societies perceive this type of Biastophilia to have less impact regarding violating the victim's rights. The evidence of such norms can be observed based on difference sentences offered to marital rapists and stranger rapists. On the other hand, traditional norms and values concerning marital duties make such a case ambiguous considering previous intimate contacts between the rapist and the victim. Additionally, the traditional gender-role stereotype that requires a wife to have sex with the husband provokes the ambiguity of a marital rape case (Frese, Moya, & Megias 144-147).
Biastophilia perpetuated to a stranger by a mentally ill individual
Mental illness affects the behavior of a person causing loss of moral values and ethics that may lead to a person engaging in antisocial activities. The presence of such activity under the named social context occurs based on the level of risks. Mentally ill people are violent in nature and performing the act of rape seems a normal act to them. Moreover, the physical and social environment that these people live plays a significant role in influencing their behaviors. There are higher possibilities of a mentally ill person living with other normal people in the house, especially children, to assault such people in the absence of an adult sexually. On the other hand, substance use and addiction increase chances of the individual engaging in sexual deviation actions such as Biastophilia. Most mentally ill people engaging in Biastophilia sexual acts had problems with intimate relationships during their normal lifestyles (Hart & Logan 100).
Social attitudes and norms towards Biastophilia involving mentally ill person
The society's attitude and norms towards Biastophilia involving a mentally ill individual and a stranger are analyzed differently depending on the situation that accelerated the activity. Rape is against the norm of every community, but in situations when a mentally ill person engages in the activity the case could have a different perspective based on social beliefs and norms. Moreover, there are claims that Biastophilia actions perpetrated by people with mental disorders are acceptable. However, sociologists argue that sexuality has no relationship with the mental disorder and that all victims of rape should face equal treatments (Koziej 218).
Similarities/Differences
The two social contexts under which the sexual activity of Biastophilia occurs share some similarities and at the same time differ on social attitudes and norms.
Similarity
In the first social context, the action of Biastophilia occurs between two individuals who are familiar to one another. The action shows a form of domestic violence but seems to gather little attention from the society. Similarly, the social context involving a mentally ill individual and a stranger seem to gain less attention because mentally ill people behave violently.
Differences
The first social context involving married couples seems to lay more accusations on the man. The action termed as marital rape becomes a criminal activity because it is a violation of the victim's right. Moreover, the traditions notion that a wife must have sex with the husband does not work in the modern society because both genders have equal rights. On the other hand, the second social context demonstrated a different perspective towards the act of Biastophilia. The society and the law seem to sympathize with the perpetrator more than the victim because of his or her psychological nature. Social factors associated with law, family and religion seem to contribute to similarities and differences seen in two social contexts.
Conclusion
The analysis of Biastophilia sexuality on the sociological context shows that despite the criminality of the action, it gains acceptability in certain social aspects. The paper shows that a marital Biastophilia could be acceptable if the two had intimate contacts before. Moreover, it also reveals that mentally ill people may face no criminal charges if found guilty of Biastophilia. The social attitudes and norms guiding Biastophilia cause major implications related to social stigma and health.
Works Cited
Feierman, Jay R. Pedophilia: Biosocial Dimensions. New York, NY: Springer New York, 2012.
Internet resource.
Frese, Bettina., Moya, Miguel., & Megias, Jesus. L. “Social perception of rape: How rape myth
acceptance modulates the influence of situational factors.” Journal of Interpersonal Violence 19.2(2004): 143-161.
Koziej, Stephanie. “Rape: Unlawful but not unhealthy? A Philosophical Analysis.” Sex, Drugs
and Rock & Roll: Psychological, Legal and Cultural Examination of Sex and Sexuality. United Kingdom, UK: Inter-Disciplinary Press. 2010.
