# What's your definition of sexual deviancy?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-definition-of-sexual-deviancy/353657>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [April 21, 2006, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-definition-of-sexual-deviancy/353657 "2006-04-21T17:36:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![kimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f0a364/32.png) [@kimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kimera)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2006, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-definition-of-sexual-deviancy/353657/21 "2006-04-22T08:14:39Z")

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[Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraphilia) has more to say on paraphilia.

> [@](#):
>
> In psychology and sexology, paraphilia…is a term that describes sexual arousal in response to sexual objects or situations which may interfere with the capacity for reciprocal affectionate sexual activity. However it is important to notice that the term can be and is also used to imply “less mainstream sexual practices” but without necessarily negatively implying any dysfunction or ‘wrongness’.

Homosexuality and masturbation were considered paraphilias until recently and I wouldn’t be surprised if more are moved off the list soon. As the wikipedia article notes, paraphilia is a highly subjective matter. Anything that is considered “deviant” by our cultural norms is included.

According to [Dictionary.com](http://Dictionary.com), deviant means “Differing from a norm or from the accepted standards of a society.” Right now, in our society, BDSM is not considered normal or mainstream, so it is considered to be a paraphilia. As it becomes more and more mainstream, we might see it moved off the list.

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**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2006, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-definition-of-sexual-deviancy/353657/22 "2006-04-22T13:35:04Z")

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> [@kimera](#):
>
> Right now, in our society, BDSM is not considered normal or mainstream, so it is considered to be a paraphilia. As it becomes more and more mainstream, we might see it moved off the list.

AFAIK, “uncomplicated” BDSM is already off the list.

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**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2006, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-definition-of-sexual-deviancy/353657/23 "2006-04-22T13:51:22Z")

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While I’m of the opinion that what consenting adults get up to in the privacy of their own homes is none of my business as long as no one gets hurt, some things squick me out.

For example, [this](http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/reports/The_men_who_have_sex_with_dolls_article_83159.html) article in Marie Claire about RealDolls was pretty oogy. Call me a prude, but there is something “off” about people who order a life-like silicone sex doll, which they then fantasise is a 13 year-old girl.

I would have to say my definition of sexual deviancy is of sexual behaviour which is psychologically damaging, emotionally unhealthy or which renders its practioners unable to have normal, non sexual, human relationships.

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**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2006, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-definition-of-sexual-deviancy/353657/24 "2006-04-22T14:39:23Z")

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> [@irishgirl](#):
>
> I would have to say my definition of sexual deviancy is of sexual behaviour which is psychologically damaging, emotionally unhealthy or which renders its practioners unable to have normal, non sexual, human relationships.

I think the article pretty much covers all the bases of what’s good and bad about the dolls. I don’t think it likely many of the purchsers are CAPABLE of having a ‘normal’ relationship. Whether this is seen as an acceptable, ahem, outlet, or a springboard to illegal acts remains to be seen.

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