Paraphilia - psychological disorder, or just a different preference?

[Jack_]

Definition:
A condition characterized by abnormal sexual desires, typically involving extreme or dangerous activities.

Here's a list of them (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_paraphilias)

The most commonly known are zoophilia (animals), necrophilia (corpses) and of course paedophilia. But are they psychological disorders, things that need to be treated, or are they simply different preferences that are deemed disorders because they're socially unacceptable and against standard moral codes?

Not only that, but a few other questions for you to think about:

Which on the list (most specifically those that are more well known though) are you more or most open-minded about?

Which of them should be considered illegal?

And perhaps a controversial question - is there anything wrong with most of them so long as they are not carried out in practice?

[Redway]

All of them are pretty vile but I disagree with the idea of something being illegal. As sick as it may seem to the vast majority, people should be free to do whatever they want as long as it doesn't infringe on anyone else's rights.

Paedophilia and necrophilia should obviously be illegal, though. The former's quite obvious and the latter...that's just wrong.

Zoophilia seems extreme and totally abnormal to me but I wouldn't quite classify that as a psychological disorder. It's just an odd preference.

[Jords]

Psychological disorders.

[Jack_]

All of them are pretty vile but I disagree with the idea of something being illegal. As sick as it may seem to the vast majority, people should be free to do whatever they want as long as it doesn't infringe on anyone else's rights.

Paedophilia and necrophilia should obviously be illegal, though. The former's quite obvious and the latter...that's just wrong.

Zoophilia seems extreme and totally abnormal to me but I wouldn't quite classify that as a psychological disorder. It's just an odd preference.

What about zoophiles acting on their urges though? Read this (http://www.psychforums.com/paraphilias/topic88172.html) and let me know what you think. I started with quite a horrified view (and still have one to an extent, but I'm trying to be open minded about this, that's the point of this thread) but after reading a couple of the replies questioned my stance slightly.

And what about if paedophiles didn't act on their urges and just kept their attractions to themselves? Would you have a problem then?

[Munchkins]

All of them are pretty vile but I disagree with the idea of something being illegal. As sick as it may seem to the vast majority, people should be free to do whatever they want as long as it doesn't infringe on anyone else's rights.

Paedophilia and necrophilia should obviously be illegal, though. The former's quite obvious and the latter...that's just wrong.

Zoophilia seems extreme and totally abnormal to me but I wouldn't quite classify that as a psychological disorder. It's just an odd preference.

Surely that's just hypocritical to accept some but not others, why should they not be free to do what they want?
(just saying i think all are disgusting and should be illegal tbh(

[Redway]

What about zoophiles acting on their urges though? Read this (http://www.psychforums.com/paraphilias/topic88172.html) and let me know what you think. I started with quite a horrified view (and still have one to an extent, but I'm trying to be open minded about this, that's the point of this thread) but after reading a couple of the replies questioned my stance slightly.

And what about if paedophiles didn't act on their urges and just kept their attractions to themselves? Would you have a problem then?
I can't dictate someone's thoughts for them and if paedophiles have urges, then there isn't really anything anyone can do about it. It's downright disgusting but seeing as people don't choose their sexual urges, acting on that sort of thought should be scorned upon. The thought is slightly different.

Zoophilia is a pretty horrifying urge as well, particularly given that an animal obviously has no say regarding the matter. I would never judge someone for it though. Nobody chooses their sexuality. It may not be exactly normal but they'd obviously rather have more widely accepted sexual attractions.

I dunno. :/ It's a difficult subject. I'd have to look far more into it to form a more valid opinion on it.
Surely that's just hypocritical to accept some but not others, why should they not be free to do what they want?
(just saying i think all are disgusting and should be illegal tbh(
I see what you're saying but I think we could all agree that those thoughts are probably best not acted on. :p

[Niall]

This is something I've often pondered: what if in a hundred years time that the things that are considered sexually abnormal or depraved by current societal standards are something that are considered normal and healthy?

I mean it was only a few decades ago that homosexuality was removed from the DSM-IV.

[Shaun]

The only issue I believe there should be with sexuality is consent. If both parties consent it's fine. You can't really get that with a dead guy, a kid or a donkey so it's fairly acceptable for them to be illegal. I do sympathise for paedophiles/zoophiles/etc. though... it's surely just a natural impulse. Maybe some damage, sure, but it's not intentional "oh let's rape a badger today" business.

[Redway]

The only issue I believe there should be with sexuality is consent. If both parties consent it's fine. You can't really get that with a dead guy, a kid or a donkey so it's fairly acceptable for them to be illegal. I do sympathise for paedophiles/zoophiles/etc. though... it's surely just a natural impulse. Maybe some damage, sure, but it's not intentional "oh let's rape a badger today" business.

Sums up my views entirely, only better-worded than I've been able to convey so far.

[Tom4784]

I have a similar view to Shaun's, I can't get my head around these things but as long as the people involved give their consent and are legal then it's their own business.

[Niall]

The only issue I believe there should be with sexuality is consent. If both parties consent it's fine. You can't really get that with a dead guy, a kid or a donkey so it's fairly acceptable for them to be illegal. I do sympathise for paedophiles/zoophiles/etc. though... it's surely just a natural impulse. Maybe some damage, sure, but it's not intentional "oh let's rape a badger today" business.

This is pretty much my entire thoughts on the matter I guess.

[Jack_]

This is something I've often pondered: what if in a hundred years time that the things that are considered sexually abnormal or depraved by current societal standards are something that are considered normal and healthy?

I mean it was only a few decades ago that homosexuality was removed from the DSM-IV.

Exactly. After all, 'right' and 'wrong' are only concepts created and constructed by humans.

The only issue I believe there should be with sexuality is consent. If both parties consent it's fine. You can't really get that with a dead guy, a kid or a donkey so it's fairly acceptable for them to be illegal. I do sympathise for paedophiles/zoophiles/etc. though... it's surely just a natural impulse. Maybe some damage, sure, but it's not intentional "oh let's rape a badger today" business.

This is pretty much my view as well, especially where consent is concerned. I've really no issue if people wish to inflict pain on each other for sexual gratification so long as everyone involved agrees to it. Similarly, stuff like agalmatophilia (statues, mannequins and immobility) from that list really doesn't bother me...live and let live.

However, and I'm not saying I totally agree with it, but they are thought-provoking opinions and ones which require quite a fair bit of open-mindedness, some of the posts on that forum thread I posted pose some interesting ideas - if the animal in question of that OP came onto the person themselves, and was clearly enjoying it, could that not be considered 'consent' in animal terms? Of course if someone just started raping an animal against its will (I think beastiality differs from zoophilia in that with the former the person gains sexual pleasure from the animals pain) then that's not acceptable - but if the animal doesn't refuse and comes onto the person themselves, is it more acceptable? It's totally strange and alien to be pondering these things and like I said it requires a lot of open mindedness but it certainly raises a lot of interesting questions.

[Shaun]

The problem, of course, is defining consent: a hell of a lot of underage teenagers are sexually active and it would appear pretty consensual. A dog with an erection is arguably pretty uh... up... for it. And what about the mentally ill? Are they of sound enough judgment? Some of these are legal and some aren't. Sex is just too taboo.

[Shaun]

Sorry, posted that before I saw your reply :laugh:

[Jenn-CityIVLyfe]

The only issue I believe there should be with sexuality is consent. If both parties consent it's fine. You can't really get that with a dead guy, a kid or a donkey so it's fairly acceptable for them to be illegal. I do sympathise for paedophiles/zoophiles/etc. though... it's surely just a natural impulse. Maybe some damage, sure, but it's not intentional "oh let's rape a badger today" business.

Shaun: speaking my exact thoughts before I ever thought them :worship:

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

mmm corpses

[arista]

mmm corpses


No Good

They are Cold

[Kizzy]

I think it's nature too, I don't have any sympathy for deviants unless the obects of their desire are inanimate.. like buildings.Nothing that is or was living.

[Apple202]

all should be illegal, honestly the most acceptable out of that list imo is pedophilia

[GypsyGoth]

all should be illegal, honestly the most acceptable out of that list imo is pedophilia

Don't you mean the most unacceptable?

[Me. I Am Salman]

all should be illegal, honestly the most acceptable out of that list imo is pedophilia

no way. God I hate it when people place more importance on animals over humans, I remember a thread from ages ago where a cat and baby were fighting and people were on the cat's side saying the baby shouldn't have hit it first :bored: If I had the choice of saving one person from a fire or ten dogs, I would choose the person.

[Redway]

all should be illegal, honestly the most acceptable out of that list imo is pedophilia

Please say you're not referring to the act of paedophilia. :bored:

[Apple202]

sorry for having an opinion, at least the attraction in that case is attracted to a living human, not a dead person or something of another species :S

[Apple202]

no way. God I hate it when people place more importance on animals over humans, I remember a thread from ages ago where a cat and baby were fighting and people were on the cat's side saying the baby shouldn't have hit it first :bored: If I had the choice of saving one person from a fire or ten dogs, I would choose the person.

Well of course it was the baby's fault if it hit it first

and i'd save the dogs, i prefer animals to humans anyway and would probs save one dog over one person :shrug:

[Jack_]

all should be illegal, honestly the most acceptable out of that list imo is pedophilia

Having a sexual attraction to statues, trees and hair is worse than having a sexual attraction to children? :o

[GypsyGoth]

sorry for having an opinion, at least the attraction in that case is attracted to a living human, not a dead person or something of another species :S

But pedophilia is having sex with a child, a person who hasn't hit puberty yet.

You're saying that out of the long list of sexual fetishes, that having sex with kids seems like the most appealing to you?

[Apple202]

Having a sexual attraction to statues, trees and hair is worse than having a sexual attraction to children? :o

what :s i was talking about pedophilia, zoophilia and necrophilia. the most acceptable out of those imo is pedophilia.

[GypsyGoth]

How about just doing none of them?

[Apple202]

But pedophilia is having sex with a child, a person who hasn't hit puberty yet.

You're saying that out of the long list of sexual fetishes, that having sex with kids seems like the most appealing to you?

i was talking about pedophilia, necrophilia and zoophilia, and no, i'm not saying that i would want to go round having sex with kids D:

[Apple202]

well obviously doing none of them would be the best option... by saying i thought paedophilia was the most acceptable one i was making even more of a point that i don't agree with any of them, if anything...

[GypsyGoth]

well obviously doing none of them would be the best option... by saying i thought paedophilia was the most acceptable one i was making even more of a point that i don't agree with any of them, if anything...

Wouldn't having sex with a dead person be better then?

At least a child wouldn't be scarred for life?

[Jack_]

what :s i was talking about pedophilia, zoophilia and necrophilia. the most acceptable out of those imo is pedophilia.

You said 'out of that list', so I assumed you'd looked at the Wikipedia list and decided paedophilia was the most acceptable over some of the more minor ones like I listed just then :suspect:

I'd still put zoophilia above paedophilia in terms of what's more acceptable though.

[Niamh.]

Paedophilia is the least acceptable on any list imo, violating an innocent child is the worst possible crime anyone can commit

[Apple202]

Wouldn't having sex with a dead person be better then?

At least a child wouldn't be scarred for life?

im not talking about from the person they have sex with's perspective, i'm talking about from the person with paraphilia... Having sex with a living person is surely more normal than having sex with a dead body or having sex with something from another species

anyway i dont care that much about this so w/e

[Jenn-CityIVLyfe]

all should be illegal, honestly the most acceptable out of that list imo is pedophilia

Abused children often grow up to be abusers themselves. The repercussions of pedophilia are ongoing. In my opinion that makes it quite unacceptable.

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

i would have sex with a horse but i am scared it would kick me or s/t

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

note: i am not attracted to horses in any way but i would still have sex with one

[Kazanne]

Well THAT's a conversation stopper:joker:

[Jack_]

And this is a conversation starter...bump :suspect:

[Mystic Mock]

what :s i was talking about pedophilia, zoophilia and necrophilia. the most acceptable out of those imo is pedophilia.

I'm sorry but I have to disagree with you there, I think all three are wrong but I would say that zoophilia is the most acceptable if I had to pick as at least the animal could consent more than the other two options.

[Shaun]

except it's the only one that's never been able to, or going to be able to, understand 'consent'. just because it might be a horny dog doesn't mean it's not abuse.