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Voyeurism, Exhibitionism, and Your Sex Life
By Gloria G. Brame, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Fetishes, Cross-dressing.
HSAB Affiliation: Syndicated Contributor.
Voyeurism and exhibitionism are two aspects of human sexuality which have
seldom been studied and often been misunderstood. The terms actually refer
to a wide range of behaviors that range from truly harmless fun to crimes
punishable by law. In the context of a consensual adult relationship,
voyeurism and exhibitionism are normal, fun behaviors that open the door
to a myriad of erotic opportunities for couples. The time to worry is when
and if the behavior veers towards the non-consensual or involves minors.
In its broadest sense, voyeurism simply refers to anyone who derives
sexual pleasure from seeing someone naked or engaging in sex or
elimination, or who is aroused by the impromptu exposure of another
person's body. In that way, most adults are voyeurs, as this very generic
description would include those who get a thrill from watching strippers
or looking at porn; who get turned on by site of an accidental exposure (a
slipped bathing suit or an unzippered fly); or who sneak glances at other
people in dressing rooms or public bathrooms. For the most part, these are
normal behaviors that everyone would agree are essentially harmless.
Voyeurism can be a fetish if it is a more obsessive interest or if
watching others is necessary to arousal or orgasm. Voyeur-related fetishes
include a range of categories. Some people are fans of "peep shows" strip
bars, and "live cams;" others have very specific voyeuristic fetishes,
such as "up skirts" (looking up a woman's skirt for a glimpse of panties
or naked loins). In its most loving expression, voyeurs enjoy watching
their partners behave sexually or undress. Voyeuristic lovers' games
include things like strip poker, having a partner perform a strip-tease,
having a lover wear incredibly revealing clothes, and other playful,
mutually pleasurable activities. Voyeurism is, by nature, a passive role,
although some voyeurs may be dominant: they will take control and
orchestrate their lover's performance.
Voyeurism rises to the level of a psychological and legal problem when the
desire is so strong that it becomes a compulsion and particularly when the
person being watched has not consented. The "Peeping Tom" is the most
infamous example of a type of non-consensual voyeurism. A Peeping Tom is
someone who invades other peoples' privacy by watching them without their
knowledge of consent. We've all heard stories of neighbors peering through
windows and spy-cams installed in bathrooms and dressing rooms by
unscrupulous bosses. Without the willing consent of the person being
watched, voyeurism may be (and has often been) treated as a punishable
offense.
Like voyeurism, exhibitionistic behavior ranges from the harmless to the
criminal. It is a very normal human impulse to want to "show off," and for
many people, that means showing off their bodies. Again, in its broadest
definition, many people have a touch of the exhibitionist, and may express
it by wearing sexy, revealing clothing, or being the first one to
volunteer for skinny dipping. In an erotic context, exhibitionistic games
can be exciting for lovers who like high-intensity passion, both to the
person disrobing and the person watching. Obviously, a couple with one
voyeur and one exhibitionist are matches made in heaven. An exhibitionist
is the ideal counterpart to the voyeur: exhibitionism is an aggressive
behavior, and part of the thrill putting on a show for one's lover (not
unlike a mating dance). It may also be thrilling to the exhibitionist to
shock and arouse others by exposing their sex organs. Strippers who love
their jobs are examples of exhibitionists who know how to "work it."
Exhibitionism, however, can be a psychologically troubling behavior, and a
sex crime, if it is done without the informed consent of the other party.
The most infamous example of non-consensual and criminal exhibitionism is
the "flasher," someone who exposes his or her genitalia to unsuspecting
passers-by. Some flashers may also masturbate as part of that exposure. If
the flasher is caught, an arrest is almost guaranteed. What makes this
particularly difficult is that often criminal exhibitionists often choose
minors as their targets. An arrest for indecent exposure to an underaged
person is a serious offense.
Criminal voyeurism and exhibitionism are usually compulsive: Peeping Toms
and flashers cannot control their need to do these things, and will commit
these acts even though they know they risk arrest and scandal. These
behaviors must be addressed in a course of therapy and possibly through
treatment with anti-depressants, either to help people develop better
outlets and safer strategies to satisfy their needs, or to address the
underlying issues that are causing the self-destructive behaviors.
Depression, stress, and other psychological problems are often at the root
of compulsive behaviors.
That said, mutually consensual voyeurism and exhibitionism are normal,
exciting aspects of sex. For adventurous lovers, the possibilities for
lovers' games, role-playing and other spicy variations involving voyeurism
or exhibitionism are virtually unlimited. |
