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The following sections briefly describe two of the best known variations in sexual behavior: Fetishism and sadomasochism. Both of these, in turn, appear in many different variations, and thus it is difficult to summarize them in a meaningful way. Still, as an introduction, these rough, preliminary definitions may be helpful:
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- Fetishism is characterized by an erotic fascination with body parts or
inanimate objects or special activities.
- Sadomasochism expresses the desire to play a dominant or submissive
role in a sexual encounter.
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As our descriptions will show, the reality is a little more complicated than that: In fact, we are dealing here with multifacted, multidimensional behaviors, and much about them is still unknown.
For example, there is no agreement about the causes of these and most of the other sexual variations. It is quite possible that some individuals are born with a certain disposition for certain erotic specializations, but the decisive influence is undoubtedly their social environment. It is the specific way in which specific individuals interact with their specific environment that determines the different specific outcomes. Only one thing is certain: No one deliberately chooses his own erotic interests.
Psychoanalysts and various learning theorists have speculated about some form of conditioning in early or late childhood, in adolescence, or even in adulthood. Undoubtedly, in this general sense, all of them are right. However, when it comes to specifics, the evidence remains inconclusive. The same is true for the various methods for “correcting” troublesome fetishistic and sadomasochistic tendencies. Psychoanalysis, hypnosis, cognitive and behavioral therapies have been tried with mixed results. In severe cases of sexual obsessions and compulsions, some drug treatments have helped in reducing sexual urges and the mental preoccupation with unwanted erotic fantasies.
Fortunately, most often fetishism and sadomasochism appear in socially harmless, unthreatening forms. Indeed, in the last few decades, they have become the basis for the development of special new subcultures: Organizations, clubs, journals, newsletters, web sites, specialty shops etc. inform the general public and offer like-minded individuals opportunities to meet. In this way, they have begun to constitute themselves as sexual minorities which demand the right to be left alone.
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