Sex: What is 'Normal'?

[cheerful_deviant]

What's ‘normal’ sex? Shrinks seek definition
Controversy erupts over creation of psychiatric rule book's new edition

By Brian Alexander
MSNBC contributor

This month the American Psychiatric Association announced the names of “working group” members who will guide the development of the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM, the codex of American psychiatry.

Not surprisingly, given the DSM’s colorful history, particularly when it comes to sex, controversy erupted within days of the announcement, especially over membership of the Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders working group, which will wrestle with questions such as: Are sadomasochism or pedophilia mental disorders? Are dysfunctions like female hypoactive sexual desire psychiatric issues, or hormonal issues? Perhaps the most important question is whether, when it comes to many sexual interests and issues, it’s even possible or desirable to create diagnostic criteria.

Full Article

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So what is 'Normal'? Does it exist or is it different for everyone?

 

[rgraham666]

"Normal' is something that the powerful foists on the weak so the powerful can keep their power and status.

 

[neonlyte]

"Normal' is something that the powerful foists on the weak so the powerful can keep their power and status.

Tut, tut, tut, tut tut! Your paranoia will get the better of you, Rob

Most guys (our age) know 'normal' is not getting any.

 

[rgraham666]

Tell me about it.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

There was a time when any sex between married people was discouraged, but an adult could legally marry a preteen.

If commonsense was driving labels, the criteria for deviancy would be age, mental capacity, and emotional maturity NOT where you stick it or what toys you play with.

 

[SemiColon]

I think the question here shouldn't be "what is normal" so much as "what is healthy." Normal is what is the most common, which should never be our goal in anything in life.

Healthy sexuality is a personal definition and I think we all know what it is for each of us if we listen to ourselves. And they can go fuck the DSM in my opinion.

 

[Guest]

So is group sex normal?

I mean, as in me wanting to get naked with CD, neon, and Rob?

'Cause that sounds fun.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

SARAH

No. Most people dont do group sex.

Teaching isnt normal for the same reason, or any job.


What 68% of the population does is the 'normal range.'

 

[SemiColon]

But if we went off of what 68% of the population wants to do but won't give themselves permission to do...I'd say yeah, group sex is normal.

 

[Guest]

But if we went off of what 68% of the population wants to do but won't give themselves permission to do...I'd say yeah,. group sex is normal.

Sweet.

 

[rgraham666]

So is group sex normal?

I mean, as in me wanting to get naked with CD, neon, and Rob?

'Cause that sounds fun.

Who cares?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Oh! You can rationalize anything with the "people are chickens" theory.

Most people would murder or beat the snot out of others if they werent chicken. But mot people dont kill or batter.

 

[SemiColon]

Who cares?

I care! I want to watch! Then join in....

 

[Guest]

I care! I want to watch! Then join in....

(You should come to a Lit-together.)

 

[neonlyte]

So is group sex normal?

I mean, as in me wanting to get naked with CD, neon, and Rob?

'Cause that sounds fun.

What time?

 

[Guest]

I like the last part of this.

Carol Queen, a sexologist, sexual rights activist and co-founder of San Francisco’s Center for Sex and Culture, believes the new DSM should stress that sexual variances are only a problem “if they are problems in the life of the person showing up” in a psychiatrist’s office “so that when somebody is eroticizing something, or doing something in a consensual way, that’s not a problem” even if it may seem odd to most of us.

She also proposes an addition, a diagnosis of “absexual” (“ab” meaning “away from”). This would include those who appear to be “turned on by fulminating against it.” Examples could include state governors who crusade against prostitution even while paying hookers for sex, and religious leaders who wind up trying to explain engaging in the sex acts they preach against.

Moser, who is affiliated with the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality in San Francisco, and Kleinplatz, from the University of Ottawa, argue that all paraphilias, like sexual sadism, sexual masochism, transvestism, should be removed from the DSM, insisting that “the DSM criteria for diagnosis of unusual sexual interests as pathological rests on a series of unproven and more importantly, untested assumptions.”

 

[Guest]

What time?

We have to pick a time?

I was thinking days -

 

[rgraham666]

We have to pick a time?

I was thinking days -

I'm thinking we'll need a caterer.

 

[Guest]

I'm thinking we'll need a caterer.

That goes without saying.

 

[TxRad]

A more important question than What is normal might be an evaluation of what is kinky. letting people know what is kinky might just get some of the more dumb ass people at least curious. But then again, it's only kinky the first time you do it. After that, it's normal.

 

[Guest]

A more important question than What is normal might be an evaluation of what is kinky. letting people know what is kinky might just get some of the more dumb ass people at least curious. But then again, it's only kinky the first time you do it. After that, it's normal.

It's kinky the first time?

Oh.

I think I've been doing something wrong . . .

 

[SemiColon]

It's only kinky if you don't store your rope properly in between sessions.

 

[Guest]

It's only kinky if you don't store your rope properly in between sessions.

Oh, good.

It wasn't my rope.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

Any penile insertion into a vagina for sexual gratification is normal. Position and regularity doesn't matter . Abnormal would be when something else is added into the mix, like anal, another partner, or toys.

Yes, I realize gay and lesbian sex falls into the abnormal category with that definition. But in this case there isn't anything wrong with abnormal so long as no one gets hurt.

 

[Guest]

Any penile insertion into a vagina for sexual gratification is normal. Position and regularity doesn't matter . Abnormal would be when something else is added into the mix, like anal, another partner, or toys.

Yes, I realize gay and lesbian sex falls into the abnormal category with that definition. But in this case there isn't anything wrong with abnormal so long as no one gets hurt.

I disagree with your description of Normal, I'm afraid.