Sexual Deviancy

Definitions for sexual deviancy vary. Next to sexual deviation in the Social Work Dictionary 5^th edition are directions to "see paraphilia". Paraphilia is described as "a sexual disorder in which unusual fantasies, bizarre acts, or the use of nonhuman objects are necessary for sexual arousal." It further describes that these acts "may include repeated or fantasized sexual activity involving suffering, humiliation, and nonconsenting partners" (Barker, 2003, p.313). The term parphilia can also be found in definitions for sex offender registration, sexual abuse, sexual disorder, and sexual dysfunction. By way of definition, it is safe to assume, that sexual deviancy or "paraphilia" includes sexual assault often interchangeable with rape, but more specifically described as "attempted rape, sexual molestation, sexual coercion, criminal sexual exposure, voyeurism, and frotteurism".(Barker, 2006, p.394).

Another common interpretation of sexual deviancy is an act of sexuality that does not exhibit what is considered societal "norm." A society's general norm is something that is also not well defined. Categories considered normal or abnormal are ever-changing; making it difficult to actually commit to a single concept. "Rather, aberrant behaviors, sufficiently unacceptable to most persons, have been lumped together to comprise sexual deviancy" (Kaye, n.d.). Definitions vary, however, the fact remains that sexual deviancy is defined by varying cultures. One culture may find "female genital mutilation" to be "child abuse"; another may consider it an "important cultural ritual of passage that must be preserved in order to maintain cultural identity" (Thio, 2006, p. 132). Culture imposes it's social, philosophical, and psychological concepts on defining this form of deviation.

It is a basic drive of humans to want to "have sex." "Every sexually reproductive animal species, and every human culture, has a range of conduct used in courtship, intimacy, and sexual activity" (Wikipedia, 2007). Cultures determine what is considered acceptable behavior and protects it by law. Regardless to variances, most cultures have determined what is considered appropriate and inappropriate regarding sexual behavior. Even between consenting adults various sexual activities are deemed illegal in some jurisdictions. A shared belief among most cultures is that sexual activities performed against ones will are illegal. To protect this theory societies must implement laws regarding legal age of consent and "what sorts of acts can be consented to" (Wikipedia, 2007). A cultures comprehension of developmental functioning levels of individual age groups influences the determination of consenting age. In 2006 Colorado's courts researched "common law". In looking back it is found that the original context of this law included that children under six years of age were exempt for being too young. Seven years old was an appropriate age for consent to common law marriage. To consummate the marriage, though, boys needed to be fourteen and girls twelve (Davids, 2006). The norm changes in relationship to the comprehension held by each culture.

Extra-marital sex is widely unaccepted. It is possible that within the marriage extra-marital affairs may come from consent of the spouse, but it is the culture that continues to determine whether it is considered deviant behavior. Religion often contributes to this form of defining sexual deviancy. Some religions encourage practice of abstinence, chastity, and asexuality. A very common religious based influence is the idea that one should only participate in sexual activity within the sanctity of marriage. "There is still a widespread belief that sex acts are devalued when engaged in outside of a long-term, monogamous romantic relationship" (Wikipedia, 2007).

Some believe that social influences will trump religious under some circumstances regarding extramarital affairs. Michel Foucault, a French philosopher, believed that there were places where this commitment to sanctity was freed. "Sexual expression was freed of social controls in such places whereas within society, sexuality has been controlled through the institution of marriage by which religion sanctions the sex act" (Wikipedia, 2007). An example of such place is prison.

Premarital sex is another example a cultural influence with a religious foundation. A review written in 1970 describes deviancy as "behavior that is viewed by a considerable number as reprehensible and beyond the tolerance limit" and that premarital sex falls under this definition (Reiss, 1970). Western society challenged this concept of premarital sex as deviant through what is referred to as the sexual revolution. Prior to this revolution a main concern was birth control. In order for society to gain control over unwanted teen pregnancies they promoted abstinence any way that they could. Parents often used shaming methods to intercept any sexual impulses. "In other societies, shame was inculcated with the same goals in mind and with analogous psychological damage possible" (Wikipedia, 2007).

Reiss examines the labeling philosophy as it pertains to premarital sex. In her review she expresses that there was a widespread of labeling out of wedlock and teen pregnancies as deviant. She even expresses that it may be more deviant than marijuana use due to the considerable "privacy" factor of sexuality. The labeling also took place using the shaming methods previously mentioned. Reiss describes the shaming as beginning at the first kiss. In applying the anomie theory to premarital sex Reiss determines that it is more of an explanation of historical sex customs. Social and Cultural Support theory is a better fit yet still has limitations in regards to premarital sex. The article was an attempt to display such limitations (Reiss, 1970).

Homosexuality is often times considered deviant. In Ancient Athens homosexuality was normal in the writings of Plato and Aristophanes. "Not a few hundred miles away in the Levant, persons who committed homosexual acts were stoned to death at the same period in history that Socrates dallied with young Alcibiades" (Wikipedia, 2007). Religion in cultures is a big factor in how homosexuality is perceived. Most religions openly deny anything "normal" about it. Homosexuality has been called a "sin", a "choice", and a "biological condition." "If such feelings are biologically induced, then homosexual behavior is neither sinful nor a choice" (Duke, 2007). Individuals, considering homosexuality deviant, use religion as a platform for not accepting the behavior. Duke further explains that if it is biological that the discovery should be used in determining a cure. His article uses "moral" defenses to continue supporting his position. He ends the article with why he thinks that the homosexual culture is growing; "if such feelings are biologically induced, then homosexual behavior is neither sinful nor a choice" (Duke, 2007).

Psychological developments in understanding sexuality and individuals labeled with sexual disorders also influence a cultures concept of sexual deviancy. There are sex offender treatment programs developed around current understandings. The most recent philosophies determine how individuals will perceive certain acts of sexual deviancy and how then they will manage them. Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Sex Offender Treatment Program takes current theoretical philosophies into account. Among them is that "sexual deviancy is a pattern of behavior that can be controlled, not cured." and supporting the relationship between culture and deviancy "sexual offending behaviors have been reinforced or rewarded in some manner in the past, and as a result, the behavior is learned. Through repeated reinforcement it may have become entrenched" (Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, 2005).

Studying the prevalence of rape in different societies displayed cultures influence over the defining of sexual deviancy. Siuai tribes "report a seduction tactic" by which the man sneaks up behind a woman carrying a load of wood and pulls her down to the ground with the wood holding her down for him and has intercourse with her. The Woleai tribe reports that "sleep crawling" is common, whereas a man will have sex with a woman while she sleeps. All of these cultures maintain that rape does not occur in them. (Palmer, 1989)

Psychology influences a cultures perspective it does not always sway the determination of "the norm". Researching these behaviors becomes difficult due to the "multiple disciplines" studying the behavior. Kaye explains that often the different disciplines have different language and agendas, thus leading to different conclusions on review of similar data. "Indeed, someone found guilty of a criminal sex offense (e.g: rape) may not meet any formal diagnostic criteria from a clinical perspective" (Kaye,n.d.). Reiss delivers "Cohen's" difference between psychological and sociological "explanations of deviancy". Simply put, psychological inquiry focuses on multiple factors that motivate an individual to act defiantly and of this, constructs "exact theories about their interrelationships" (Reiss, 1970). Sociological inquiry focuses on the larger social system as it affects the motivation of individuals to act defiantly.

Culture shapes the definition of sexual deviancy and teaches the youngest of society what that definition is. School systems incorporate lessons to help children determine and manage inappropriate sexual contact. According to Kaye there is little scientific basis for the programs. He also claims that most of the programs exhibit a stereotype of the abuser as an "older male stranger." "In actuality, abusers are more likely to be young, known to the victim and employ an array of techniques to access the victim" (Kaye, n.d.). Considered also is rape inside marriage (Thio, 2006). As society changes, through challenge of perceptions, so does the concept of sexual deviancy. The fact remains, however, that the culture will continue to influence the defining of it.

References

Barker, Robert L. (2003). The Social Work Dictionary 5^th Edition. NASW Press, Washington, DC

Davids, James A. (2006). Twelve Year Old Girls Can Marry? Regent University Robertson School of Government. Retrieved March 19, 2007 from http://www.regent.edu/acad/schgov/opeds/articles/marry.htm

Duke, Selwyn (2007). Menes News Daily.com: What if Homosexuality is Biological retrieved from http://mensnewsdaily.com/2007/03/22/what-if-homosexuality-is-biological/

Kaye, Neil S. M.D. (n.d.). Sexual Deviancy retrieved March 19, 2007 from http://www.courtpsychiatrist.com/

Palmer, Craig (1989). Is Rape a Cultural Universal? A Re-Examination of Ethnographic Data, Ethnology, Vol. 28, No. 1, pp. 1-16. Retrieved March 19, 2007 from http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0014-1828%28198901%2928%3A1%3C1%3AIRACUA%3E2.0.CO%3B2-0

Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Sex Offender treatment Program (2005). Retrieved March 19, 2007 from www.cor.state.pa.us

Reiss, Ira L. (1970). Premarital Sex as Deviant Behavior: An Application of Current Approaches to Deviance, American Sociological Review, vol35, No. 1, pp. 78-87 retrieved March 19, 2007 from http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0003-1224%28197002%2935%3A1%3C78%3APSADBA%3E2.0.CO%3B2-F

Thio, Alex, Calhoun, C. Thomas (2006). Readings in Deviant Behavior 4^th Edition. Pearsons Education Inc., USA

Wikipedia.. Retrieved March 21,2007 From Wikipedia, http://www.wikipedia.org/ modified January 13, 2007.