Sexual deviance comprises of a wide range of abnormal sexual expressions from cross dressing, fetishism, sexual masochism, incest, pedophilia, and rape. On the contrary, sexual deviant behavior can be defined in different contexts. According to sociology, sexual deviance varies from culture to the other depending different cultural beliefs and norms. Sexual deviant behaviors are attributed with discomfort, bizarreness, and inefficiency. Some sexual deviant habits include paraphilia, exhibitionism, fetishism, and masochist among others. Paraphilia individuals have behavior, an urge, or a sexual fantasy that is distressing and repetitive while exhibitionism entails sexual pleasure through exposure of the genitals (Goode, 2010). Fetishism, on the other hand, involves using inanimate or a particular body part for either physical or mental sexual stimulation. Sexual deviance has changed its definition from time to time in the last three decades due to acceptance of some of these behaviors within the society. This research study will analysis significant changes in sexual deviance, and bring out a clear understanding of causes, effects, and how some of these deviant behaviors can be mitigated (Bryant, 2001).
Research Problem
Sexual deviance is a kind of sexual behavior that is defined in different aspects such as moral, medical, and in legal terms. Through the medieval cultures, some kind of sexual behaviors have come to be widely accepted by various cultures around the world. The process of mingling and socialization has brought different cultures’ into an understanding of distinct sexual behaviors. Definition of sexual deviant sexual behavior, therefore, lies at the basis of generally accepted normal sexual behavior (Goode, 2010). Misconception about sexuality can lead to doubts about the difference between normal and abnormal sexual behaviors. In the current times, sexuality can be perceived as an individual choice other than a societal perception of how individuals should conduct themselves. In the modern society, change in lifestyle has played a domineering role in the exploration of various sexual behaviors. In ancient times, penile-vaginal intercourse was the only way of sexual expression for procreation and recreation. On the contrary, some other practices such as oral sex, masturbating, and anal sex seem to be gaining acceptance in the society across the world (Laws & O'Donohue, 2008).
According to various groups proposing same sex marriage, legalizing same sex marriage translates into depriving of the rights and privileges of gay people. Every person has own rights and freedoms regardless of his or her sexual orientation. Passage of gay marriage bills within various countries is enough evidence that same sex marriage has become, widely, accepted among people.
Research Questions
The study will entail evaluation of the following research questions
a) How to know sexual behavior is deviant?
b) What are the types of sexual deviant behaviors?
c) How is sexual abnormality managed?
d) What are other types of sexual variations?
Research objectives
a) Establish sexual deviant behaviors
b) Determine the different types of sexual deviant behaviors
c) To figure out management of sexual abnormality
d) To analyze other types of sexual abnormality
Analysis
Sexual deviant behavior also referred to as compulsive sexual behavior is a psychiatric disorder with tremendous psychiatric and medical results.
Sexual deviant behaviors
According to sociology, sexual abnormality is a complex terminology that does not have a specific definition. As a result of modernity and advancement in technology, some sexual behaviors previously considered abnormal have come to be accepted. The definition of sexual deviance, therefore, does not put an emphasis on the psychological functioning of an individual engaging in such behaviors. A sexual deviant behavior might vary between different societies. Sexual deviance is thus defined as sexual behaviors that are not accepted in a society (Goode, 2010). According to this definition, individuals’ interaction with the society is put into consideration. Some cultures have similarities in what they term as sexual deviance due to common beliefs and norms. Some sexual behaviors have become, widely, accepted despite opposition from other societies. For instance, homosexuality is a behavior that is considered to be deviant among some countries, while accepted in others (Laws & O'Donohue, 2008).
In the United States, homosexuality has been accepted through the passage of various bills into law. For instance, gay marriage has been legalized in states like California, New Jersey, New Mexico, and New York among others. The issue of the same homosexuality is open for discussion between law and religious groups across the world. The U.S federal government is responsible for implementing various parliamentary Acts into law. Opponents of the same sex marriage have challenged the idea in court claiming to be a wrongful act according to cultural beliefs, and scriptures. Various federal states in America remain to be ardent opponents of the same-sex marriage following a large proportion of Christian Protestants. On the contrary, some states enacted gay marriage bill despite protests by gay marriage opponents (Bering, 2014). The gay marriage issue, therefore, has received various objections as well as gaining support from the public.
Types of Abnormal Sexual Behaviors
There is a wide range of abnormal sexual behaviors in society with distinct characteristics. For instance, a common feature of sexual abnormality is paraphilia. This is the urge, or sexual fantasies that are repetitive and distressing. According to research, these kinds of behaviors occur in a given period of time and interfere with satisfaction of daily sexual relations. Exhibitionism is one of the paraphilia or abnormal, deviant sexual behaviors that are characterized by the exposure of genitals in order to create sexual pleasure. Another type of deviant sexual behavior is pedophilia. This disorder is usually characterized by intense sexual urges, arousals, and fantasies towards younger children of the age of 13 years and below (Humphrey & Schmalleger, 2012).
Sexual masochism and sadism are other types of sexual abnormalities. Sadism is the case where individuals derive sexual satisfaction through pain infliction on other people. Masochism is a person who has to experience pain in order to be, sexually, aroused. These disorders have their causes and effects on victims. According to research studies, childhood trauma has been established as the main cause of these abnormalities especially exhibitionists habits. Treatment of such abnormalities can, therefore, be corrected through consistent behavior therapies.
Variations of sexual deviant behaviors
According to social research on sexual abnormality, Nymphomania and satyriasis include some of the variations of abnormal sexual. The aforementioned conditions are characterized by an extraordinary high sex drive among individuals. These conditions are extremely to an extent that individuals become insatiable, and sexual desires overshadow every other interest. In men, the disease is referred to as satyriasis while in women is described as nymphomania. On the contrary, the disease is very rare in women as compared to men. Troilism is another type of sexual variation where three people have sex together. Zoophilia, also known as bestiality, on the other side, is sex with animals.
The trend in women's sexuality from the 19th century to 20th century has been characterized by myriad changes in the traditional aspect and cultural beliefs of the society. Globalization and advancements in technology have largely contributed to the fight against gender discrimination(Goode, 2010). In the modern world, women have been perceived and treated with the same intensity as men in the society. Disparities in gender have been as a result of education levels. Competition between the girl and boy child has resulted into a community of intellects (Clinard & Meier, 2010).
Management of Deviant Sexual Behavior
Management of deviant social behavior can be through medical or legal measures. Some sexual deviant behaviors are considered to be crimes, thus harmful act or an offense that is punishable by the state government. Medical intervention programs may vary depending on the doctor’s prescription and extend of the disorder. Medical interventions are in line with the causative agent of sexual variation. For instance, some sexual deviance habits are precipitated by biological factors. Over the years, various medical treatments for sexual variations have been conducted across the world. Cognitive behavioral therapies are some of the programs used in the treatment process. These programs usually depend on cognitive behavior therapies. As a result, sexual arousal among patients is mitigated in order to facilitate normal sexual habits. There are also social skills, and relapse prevention helps patients to carry out a normal conversation and develop intimacy.
References
Bering, J. (2014). Perv. New York: Transworld.
Bryant, C. D. (2001). Encyclopedia of Criminology and Deviant Behavior: Sexual deviance. New York: Routledge.
Clinard, M., & Meier, R. (2010). Sociology of Deviant Behavior. New York: Cengage Learning.
Fong, T. W. (2006). Understanding and Managing Compulsive Sexual Behaviors. Matrix Medical Communication, 1-18.
Goode, E. (2010). Deviant Behavior. New York: Prentice Hall PTR.
Humphrey, J. A., & Schmalleger, F. (2012). Deviant Behavior. London: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Laws, R., & O'Donohue, W. T. (2008). Sexual Deviance: Theory, Assessment, and Treatment. New York: Guilford Press.
