ation) of the victim is sexually exciting. The person has acted on these urges, or is markedly distressed by them. (p286)Sexual Masochism: The essential feature of this disorder is recurrent, intense, sexual urges and sexually arousing fantasies, for at least six months’ duration, involving the act (real, no simulated) of being humiliated, beaten, bound, or otherwise made to suffer. The person has acted on these urges, or is markedly distressed by them. (p286) (Ernulf&Innala p636-637)Luckily, many Sadomasochists have found an outlet in their communities where they can practice safely with others who share the same desires. This feeling of needing to give or receive pain for sexual gratification stems back to when one was a child. If the only attention a child received from his or her parents was when he or she was being punished, than being punished was a pleasurable thing. The child might continue to do things in order to get their parents attention so that he or she may be punished.Out of all the paraphilias in existence, sadomasochism is one of the more commonly accepted ones in today’s society. Not to say that in the future there will ever be a “Sadomasochist 101” class at Long Island University or C.W. Post, but there will hopefully someday be more of an understanding of the practice. Even HBO has frequently shown different specials that include sadomasochism as the main topic of discussion. They are attempting to teach people what it is all about, so that they have can begin to have a better understanding of it, and are more accepting. Although if one possesses these sadomasochistic tendencies, it might be far healthier for them to act out those feelings, rather than to keep them bottled up inside of them. However there always remains the more conservative element that will find such sexual behavior as degrading and immoral. Some groups may be so daring as to say that such acts of immorality may...
