Why do people treat masochism as if it's a disease or some form of insanity?
Why don't they accept that it's a PERSONAL CHOICE?
61-69, M
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Scribbles · 36-40, F
Because most reasonable people are alarmed by anything that involves someone engaged in a self harming behavior and would want to make sure that the person receives therapy if applicable. People react the same if someone has sadistic tendencies as harming others is very alarming behavior too.
I understand that a huge variety of sexual preferences, orientations and some sexual disorders exist. Some are harmful and some are harmless. The best way to discover which is which is sometimes via therapy.
I understand that a huge variety of sexual preferences, orientations and some sexual disorders exist. Some are harmful and some are harmless. The best way to discover which is which is sometimes via therapy.
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@Scribbles Therapy surely assumes somebody has already judged the behaviour as harmful and needs treating?
Therapy - what sort?
Judged - by whom, how, against what criteria?
You also need consider what sort of harm - and who are "reasonable people" anyway? I don't like bondage or oral sex - so would I be "reasonable" therefore to say they must be wrong?
Clearly it it is wrong to act against others without their consent, or downright illegally.
An act with sexual overtones on oneself is autoerotic but usually harmless (though there have been fatal accidents with certain acts).
A act against oneself that is wilfully injurious may not be sexual at all. Sometimes it is a cry for help for a background problem (as with teenagers starving or cutting themselves, often through being bullied by peers or parents).
However, most sexual activities are between consenting adults even if not all are to our individual sexual tastes.
It is the result of the behaviour that determines it as harmful or harmless, and if harmful, appropriate treatment might help; but otherwise trying to assess someone's nature by "therapy" would claim there is likely to be something wrong with practically everyone in the world.
Therapy - what sort?
Judged - by whom, how, against what criteria?
You also need consider what sort of harm - and who are "reasonable people" anyway? I don't like bondage or oral sex - so would I be "reasonable" therefore to say they must be wrong?
Clearly it it is wrong to act against others without their consent, or downright illegally.
An act with sexual overtones on oneself is autoerotic but usually harmless (though there have been fatal accidents with certain acts).
A act against oneself that is wilfully injurious may not be sexual at all. Sometimes it is a cry for help for a background problem (as with teenagers starving or cutting themselves, often through being bullied by peers or parents).
However, most sexual activities are between consenting adults even if not all are to our individual sexual tastes.
It is the result of the behaviour that determines it as harmful or harmless, and if harmful, appropriate treatment might help; but otherwise trying to assess someone's nature by "therapy" would claim there is likely to be something wrong with practically everyone in the world.
Scribbles · 36-40, F
@ArishMell I'm not trying to kink shame.
Therapy does not mean there is something wrong at all. You might do therapy because you want to understand yourself better. Therapy might helps clients uncover strengths and learn new skills that will allow them to deal with challenges that arise in life...such as the challenge of if people are worried your masochism is insanity or a disease as the poster mentioned. Life is hard sometimes. Lots of people struggle with other people's personal choices. My sister in law says she's currently talking alot with her therapist to figure out how to talk to family on her side to stop bullying her about having children. She doesn't want children and they can't seem to accept that.
Perhaps it's helpful to have someone to talk to who might be less judgemental or might be able to determine some way to help, or if there is anything to be concerned about or not. etc. Therapy can be helpful sometimes.
That's all.
Therapy does not mean there is something wrong at all. You might do therapy because you want to understand yourself better. Therapy might helps clients uncover strengths and learn new skills that will allow them to deal with challenges that arise in life...such as the challenge of if people are worried your masochism is insanity or a disease as the poster mentioned. Life is hard sometimes. Lots of people struggle with other people's personal choices. My sister in law says she's currently talking alot with her therapist to figure out how to talk to family on her side to stop bullying her about having children. She doesn't want children and they can't seem to accept that.
Perhaps it's helpful to have someone to talk to who might be less judgemental or might be able to determine some way to help, or if there is anything to be concerned about or not. etc. Therapy can be helpful sometimes.
That's all.