Sexual Deviations
Most writers conclude that "more than With most other disorders, the line between abnormal and norma! sexual functioning is blurred." There are many common misconceptions about sexual behavior. One often hears that sexual offenders are typically homicidal sex fiends. The facts are that homicide associated with sex crimes is rare..indeed and the offenders are usually mentally ill as well as sexually deviate. Only about 5 percent of those convicted as sex offenders inflict. physical injury on their victims. Another common misconception is that sexual offenders are ·"oversexed." Just the opposite has been found to be true among those arrested by police and studied. Are sexual offenders usually repeaters? The studies say not. Only about 7 percent of those convicted of serious sex crimes are arrested again. Most repeaters are less harmful offenders, such as "peepers," rather than criminals of serious menace to the community. But let us look at sexual deviations not as crimes but as behavior disorders. And let us keep in mind that sexual deviation is defined as any method of obtaining sexual satisfaction which is disapproved of by society.
Homosexual Behavior
Said to be the most common of deviations, homosexuality involves erotic relationships between members of the same sex. It has come increasingly to public attention through various "gay liberation" organizations on some campuses and in larger communities. HomosexuaJily has been discussed throughout n13.n·s recorded history. Contrary to some popular opinion. there are no particular physical or personality characteristics by which all homosexuals can be immediately identified. Some males do affect high-pitched voices and effeminate manners. but more do not. Some male homosexuals may wear lipstick and nailpolish and otherwise fail to conform to the conventional attributes of manhood. but many do not. Similarly, some female homosexuals may wear "mannish" clothes and no makeup, but many are very feminine in appearance. And contrary to some popular belief. homosexuality is not classified as a mental disorder.
The term "gay world" may carry with it the association of pleasure, but in actuality it is the opposite because stable relationships are difficult to establish. This may relate to the fact that many homosexuals cluster in certain residential areas of large cities. establishing a fluid society that operates in its own little world of customs, value systems, language, gesture, dress, and communication techniques. Furthermore. the disapproval of society puts tremendous pressure on homosexuals; until quite recently, most of them have been forc;ed to keep their affinities hidden. The homosexual tends to see his or her problem as being "social" rather than ·'individual."
Male Homosexuals
There are male homosexuals and female homosexuals. There are male homosexuals married to women, but whose preferences are for men. There are those who are exclusively homosexual and are repulsed by women. There are still others .ho are bisexual and enjy sexual contacts with men and women. And there is a distinction between "latent" and "overt" homosexuality. Latent homosexuality consists mainly of fantasies and manifests itself in the pursuit of nterests commonly associated with females. Overt homosexuals are males who are fully aware of their same-sex preferences. They express them by engaging in homosexual acts-mutual masturbation, orogenital, and anogenital contacts. Aside from limitations imposed by nature, full same-sex erotic enjoyment can be found in either a passive or an active capacity.
There are unhappily married men homosexuals, lonely and isolated, who may grab a few moments of impersonal sex in a toilet stall, and who try to keep their deviancy a secret. There are those who are more candid in their recognition of homosexuality as a life-style. They tend to read widely about homosexuality and discuss it within their circle of friends. There are the so-called gay singles who are open participants in a male homosexual s·ubculture. These people are often n their early twenties, and are frequently supported by older male lovers. They are usually well educated, have effeminate manners, are careful of their appearance, and keep immaculate, well-furnished apartments. They often speak of marrying the men they love. One other type prefers teen-age boys as sexual objects. They are known to cruise the streets in search for boys thumbing rides.
Female Homosexuality
Historically called "lesbian," the female homosexual often engages in sexual relationships with other women because of the inaccessibility of men. It is commonly found among female prisoners, but there is less coerciveness in the relationship than among male prisoners. Although the lesbian is characterized as wearing a plain felt hat, tweedy clothes, shirt ·and tie, and short-cropped hair, according to many studies nothing could be more erroneous. Most female homosexuals are indistinguishable from other women. Whereas mutual masturbation, or other physical practices, is expressed in male homosexuality, feminine homosexuality is often confined to the psychologicallevel. There may be no physical manifestation at all beyond tender embraees.
Homosexuality is not thought to be a biologically caused condition and heredity has been ruled out. Current theory holds that male homosexuality results from an excess secretion of estrogen, a female sex hormone, and that female homosexuality results from abnormally high androgen levels, the male sex hormone.
