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What is perversion?
Perversion is a pattern of sexual practice, which
is characterized by sexual desires, impulses, and fantasies that deviates
significantly from the natural and conventional means of sexual practice.
Perversion is also termed as paraphilia, in which the focus of attention is
sexual object that is of unusual nature, for instance having sexual excitement
with children, shoes, undergarments or animals. Sexual deviation, however
emphasizes on the unusual form of sexual activity that does not confirms to the
cultural norms or is not practiced by the majority of the population for example
men wear women's clothes for sexual excitement. Having sex with not agreeable
individual and / or indulging sexually into the act of suffering or shame of
self or others is also a form of sexual perversion. Homosexuality is not
considered as type of perversion, instead it is recognized as a different form
of sexual orientation.
Different Kinds of Perversions
(1) Fetishism
‘Fetishism’ is a pattern of sexual practice in
which the sexual arousal and sexual satisfaction are achieved by means of
non-living object. Commonly used fetish objects are women's under garments,
bras, stockings, shoes, rubber, leather, etc. The person commonly masturbates
while holding, rubbing licking, or smelling the fetish objects. They, sometimes,
frequently urge their sexual partner to wear such objects during the sexual
intercourse. The extent of requirement of the fetish object varies from person
to person. For some they serve as a means to enhance the sexual excitement and
they can do without it also while others may fail to have erection in the
absence of these objects. This condition is limited to males only.
(2) Transvestism (cross-dressing)
Transvestism is a pattern of sexual practice in which the sexual arousal and
sexual gratification are achieved by wearing the clothes of opposite sex.
Besides wearing the complete outfit, the individual may also wear make-ups. The
behaviors may be different from occasional cross-dressing within the limitations
of the bedroom to walking off to public place. At the same time when they are
crossed dressed they engage in sexually arousing fantasies and they masturbates
to achieve sexual gratification. The condition is described only in males and
begins by childhood or adolescence.
(3) Zoophilia
Zoophilia is a form of sexual practice wherein the person engages sexually with
the animals to achieve sexual arousal and sexual satisfaction. The condition is
seen both in men as well as in women. They usually make use of pet animals like
dogs and cats for the sexual activity; however domestic animals like goat, hen,
horse, etc are also used rarely.
(4) Pedophilia
Pedophilia involves unusual sexual activity with children. The children are
usually prepubescent (not mature) and generally of age less than 13 years or
younger. The sexual behavior may be may be exclusively homosexual or
heterosexual, or a combination of both of both. The activity may be carried out
in the family, among social contact groups, or between strangers. The offender
initiates the act on the pretext of playing games with the child and gradually
misleads the game into sexual areas. The child is tempted to manipulate of his
or her genitals or to manipulate that of adult's. On excitement, the person may
masturbate in front of the child or alone. Many also carry out sexual
intercourse and anal thrusting.
(5) Exhibitionism
Exhibitionism is a pattern of sexual behavior in which the person has a tendency
to expose the genitalia to a stranger, unsuspecting person or even to people in
public place. Sexual excitement occurs on the anticipation of the exposure. The
excitement is heightened by the surprised or scared expressions displayed by the
victim. The act is usually followed by masturbation at the same point or after
the event. The condition is seen in heterosexual males who expose to the
females. The behavior may range from occasional exposure with an active
heterosexual life to a regular and constant form wherein the exhibitionism is
the only form of sexual outlet.
(6) Voyeurism
Voyeurism involves those situations where unsuspecting women may be observed
while undressing, grooming, bathing or indulging in sexual act. Sexual
excitement also occurs on the anticipation of the observation. The act is
usually followed by masturbation at the same point or after the event.
(7) Frotteurism
Frotteurism is a form of sexual pattern that involves a fantasy or activity of
rubbing the body parts or genitalia against a non-consenting woman in public
places. The act of fondling or rubbing may range from a fleeting one that goes
unrecognized to an obvious deliberate act that is assaultive. Usually, the act
is carried out in crowded places from where the
escape is easy and the person can flee situation
as soon as soon as he is discovered. The
act is usually completed by the ejaculation at
the same point or masturbation after the event.
(8)
Sexual Masochism
Sexual Masochism is a pattern of sexual practice in which the sexual arousal and
sexual satisfaction are achieved by being tortured, humiliated or made to
suffer. The masochistic behavior includes the fantasies, urges and / or
behaviors of being raped, whipped, beaten or held or bound by the partner.
Humiliation for example being made to beg for mercy, forced to crawl, or being
urinated upon) is also sexually satisfying to the person. There is no limit to
the extent of suffering that is sexually pleasurable and at times the person
sustains serious injuries and even death.
(9)
Sexual Sadism
Sexual Sadism is a pattern of sexual practice in which there is sexual arousal
and sexual satisfaction if the person inflicts physical or psychological
suffering to the victim. In severe cases the person takes complete control over
the consenting or non-consenting victim, who is subjected to severe degree of
torture and humiliation the form of whipping, stabbing, burning, smothering, and
in brutal cases killing (lust murder)
The Magnitude of the problem in the society
It is clearly perceived that some of the perversions, if not all, are relatively
common in the general population; however it is neither easy nor always possible
to estimate the number of perverts in the population. The persons never report
their problems and always try to hide their perversions. It comes into sight
only if treatment is sought or if there are legal hassles.
Despite these limitations it is believed that perversion is practiced by small
fraction of population. In a person the perversion usually appear early during
the adolescent period. Most of the pervert behaviors peak between 15 and 25
years. The pervert sexual behavior tends decrease after the age of thirty so
that it is rare after the age of fifty. Most of the perversions are observed
more commonly in males.
What leads to perversion?
What exactly leads to pervert sexual behavior is still not known clearly,
however the researchers are able to make certain the fact that perversion is the
product of complex relationship of many factors. Biological makeup (genetic and
internal chemistry) and social upbringing are thought to be the main factors
responsible for such behavior. Excess of male sex hormone is known to be
associated with violent forms of perversions in men as well as in women
similarly faulty family dynamics and abnormal parent child relationship is also
known to cause pervert behavior. Pedophilia is practiced by majority of those
who themselves were treated in the same way. This is the reflection disturbance
in the family.
Is it abnormal?
Perversion has an important link between health and illness and is manifested
with varying degree of brutality. Some are bothered by their pervert fantasies,
which is generally minimal and is invoked during the sexual activity but is not
otherwise acted on and they enjoy a good control over such fantasies. They are
well adjusted in life and are able to carry out normal sexual life. At the
other end of the spectrum, pervert behavior is acted out in an impulsive way so
that it takes precedence over partner interaction and causes significant
distress to the individual and others and the behavior is considered to be
abnormal or maladaptive that requires treatment. One should seek professional
help if:
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The pervert behavior is
recurrent and / or persistent over a period
of at least six months
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The perversion is acted
on in a compulsive way so that he or she is
not able to resist it
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The perversion is acted on in a compulsive way in public.
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The perversion is acted
on in a compulsive way in a situation or in
a way that is physically hazardous to the
person or others
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He or She gets into the
Legal problems due to this
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He or she is ignoring the social and occupational obligations
because of the pervert behavior
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If the person is suffering from depression or anxiety due to this
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If he or she is planning to marry
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If the sexual perversion is
causing significant disturbance in social at occupational life
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If there is adjustment problem with the partner
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If there is any sexual problem with the partner
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And the person is not able to control it despite having any of the
above problems.
Treatment options
Treatment of perversion is often required. A qualified psychiatrist is the one
who can help the most to the persons with perversion. Treatment depends on the
severity of illness, patient's motivation, his or her strengths and family
support. Treatment options include both drug and non-drug treatment and are
tailored according to the patient's need. The various treatment options that are
available are as follows:
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Counseling for perversion
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Sex therapy for sexual problems
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Family therapy
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Marital therapy
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Therapy for associated depression or anxiety
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Drug treatment
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