I was hoping to get some clarification on Voyeurism.

[UnpublishedEroticaWriter]

Is it still considered voyeurism if you are happily listening to a couple have sex but can't see them? For example through a wall of a neighboring apartment.

 

[Jada59]

Is it still considered voyeurism if you are happily listening to a couple have sex but can't see them? For example through a wall of a neighboring apartment.

I don't think so. Not sure what you'd call that though.

 

[UnpublishedEroticaWriter]

I don't think so. Not sure what you'd call that though.

Thanks for letting me know. Guess it's still ok to categorize it under voyeur because she is turned on by watching a recording of the couple having sex. That counts,right?

 

[Jada59]

Thanks for letting me know. Guess it's still ok to categorize it under voyeur because she is turned on by watching a recording of the couple having sex. That counts,right?

I don't think so.

 

[ToPleaseHim]

Are you looking for clarification so you can classify a story? Technically listening (or wanting to listen) is ecouterism. I doubt there is a category with that label, so if I were submitting a story I would certainly consider categorizing as voyeurism. The Author’s Hangout would be a better forum to ask if you are asking for story reasons.

If you’re just looking for the knowledge, read up on ecouterism. Here is one link.

 

[Brick1950]

Listening in

Yes I would say listening in could be exciting and harmless especially if the couple were loud and obvious , also like they wanted people to hear .

 

[Erlikkhan]

Back in my single days when I shared an apartment with two friends, my bedroom was adjacent to the neighbors and the walls were paper thin. Every night around 9PM we could her the loud screams of his new girlfriend as he fucked her. Usually they would go at it more than once in the same night. One time, we invited several others over, put some beer on ice, and listened to the show. The girlfriend was cute with big innocent brown eyes and very friendly, but all I could think about when I saw her was how she must have been clawing her boyfriends back as he pounded her senseless.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

If you are asking where to submit a story about that, I’d certainly go for E&V.

 

[PapaDan]

Is it still considered voyeurism if you are happily listening to a couple have sex but can't see them? For example through a wall of a neighboring apartment.

I think it's called auralism. Being sexually excited by sound.

 

[UnpublishedEroticaWriter]

I don't think so.

You are right. Otherwise, anyone that has ever watched porn would be a voyeur.

Are you looking for clarification so you can classify a story? Technically listening (or wanting to listen) is ecouterism. I doubt there is a category with that label, so if I were submitting a story I would certainly consider categorizing as voyeurism. The Author’s Hangout would be a better forum to ask if you are asking for story reasons.

If you’re just looking for the knowledge, read up on ecouterism. Here is one link.

I was at first looking to classify the story. Decided to go with erotic coupling. Since the ecouterism wasn't the main focus of the story. Just the beginning. Although, it is brought up in passing a few times. But it's really about the sex that follows. Ok, I wasn't sure where to ask. I'm still new here and don't exactly find this interface user friendly. I'll be sure to post in The Author's Hangout next time.

Thanks. I checked on the link and that was the definition I was looking for. I have since changed the tag from voyeur to ecouterist.

Yes I would say listening in could be exciting and harmless especially if the couple were loud and obvious , also like they wanted people to hear .

Well, they are loud and obvious but didn't know someone was listening and playing with herself. Until she decided to go over and tell them.

Back in my single days when I shared an apartment with two friends, my bedroom was adjacent to the neighbors and the walls were paper thin. Every night around 9PM we could her the loud screams of his new girlfriend as he fucked her. Usually they would go at it more than once in the same night. One time, we invited several others over, put some beer on ice, and listened to the show. The girlfriend was cute with big innocent brown eyes and very friendly, but all I could think about when I saw her was how she must have been clawing her boyfriends back as he pounded her senseless.

That's basically my story in a nutshell. Except for the 'friends' and 'inviting people over'. 'Paper-thin walls' is in the third sentence. Looks like I might already have a fan base.

If you are asking where to submit a story about that, I’d certainly go for E&V.

I went with Erotic Coupling since that is the main part of the story. The Ecouterism is only there to get the ball rolling.

I think it's called auralism. Being sexually excited by sound.

Auralism is basically any sound. Including sex. But BDSM Moderator ToPleaseHim was correct about it solely being for the sound of people having sex. Which was what I was looking for. Thanks for the input.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

I went with Erotic Coupling since that is the main part of the story. The Ecouterism is only there to get the ball rolling.

EC is a good call then. Good luck with the yarn.

 

[Smal3hard5cfnm]

Is it still considered voyeurism if you are happily listening to a couple have sex but can't see them? For example through a wall of a neighboring apartment.

As I understand it is enjoying looking at naked people.
my question is dose it count if one partner is an exhibitionist?
the thrill of displaying and been displayed or is that something else?

 

[jehoram]

If you are asking where to submit a story about that, I’d certainly go for E&V.

But in the notes section, let Laurel know so that it can be put in whatever section the site thinks most appropriate.

 

[UnpublishedEroticaWriter]

I went with Erotic Coupling since that is the main part of the story. The Ecouterism is only there to get the ball rolling.

EC is a good call then. Good luck with the yarn.

Thanks. Still waiting for 'The Girl in 314' to be approved.

As I understand it is enjoying looking at naked people.
my question is dose it count if one partner is an exhibitionist?
the thrill of displaying and been displayed or is that something else?

It's watching 'unsuspecting' people naked and/or having sex. If one or more people being watched knows then it still makes the watcher a voyeur. Displaying themself to someone watching makes them exhibitionist.

But in the notes section, let Laurel know so that it can be put in whatever section the site thinks most appropriate.

Good idea.

 

[Isabel_Innuende]

Is it still considered voyeurism if you are happily listening to a couple have sex but can't see them? For example through a wall of a neighboring apartment.

In my mind, that would completely fit into the "Voyeurism & Exhibitionism" category. If the central premise of the story is the arousal that comes from the observation of the sexual adventures of others, regardless of whether that observation is visual or auditory, it clearly caters to the kink of voyeurism. In my opinion, the people in this thread are taking far too literal interpretation of the category, and what you describe certainly fits within the milieu.

If you are concerned that the typical E&V reader would not be satisfied with the story because there is no visual element, then you can include a note at the beginning that the "voyeurism" in the tale is purely auditory.

Having said that, if there are authors who have witnessed contradictory evidence, in which stories of "audio voyeurism" have bombed in that category and they would like to correct me, I will gladly bow out to superior knowledge.

Another note: Someone said that "watching a video" of people having sex was not voyeurism, and another person pointed out that if this was voyeurism, anyone who had ever watched porn would be considered a voyeur. In response to that, I would like to strenuously aver that getting an erotic thrill from watching a video of people having sex is, by definition, voyeurism, and that yes, all of us who have ever watched porn are indeed voyeurs. Why is this controversial? "Voyeurism" is one of the most common sexual kinks that there is, and almost everyone is voyeuristic to some degree.

Now, you can argue with me, depending upon which definition of "voyeurism" you are using. If you are talking strictly about pathological voyeuristic behavior, in which the "voyeur" gets a sexual thrill out of secretly, and without consent observing others sexually, such as in the case of a "peeping tom", then of course most of us are not voyeurs.

I am not talking about the paraphilia, however, because I'm assuming we're discussing the Literotica story category, "Exhibition & Voyeurism", which I believe is referring to the more popular definition of voyeurism. If we're talking about pathological behavior, that's getting more into the Nonconsent/Reluctance category, not the good old fun "let's get off on watching others fuck".

In conclusion, if you have written a tale in which the main erotic interlude of the story involves your hero/heroine(s) getting off on listening to others have sexy fun times, I think you should put it into the E&V category.

 

[UnpublishedEroticaWriter]

In my mind, that would completely fit into the "Voyeurism & Exhibitionism" category. If the central premise of the story is the arousal that comes from the observation of the sexual adventures of others, regardless of whether that observation is visual or auditory, it clearly caters to the kink of voyeurism. In my opinion, the people in this thread are taking far too literal interpretation of the category, and what you describe certainly fits within the milieu.

If you are concerned that the typical E&V reader would not be satisfied with the story because there is no visual element, then you can include a note at the beginning that the "voyeurism" in the tale is purely auditory.

Having said that, if there are authors who have witnessed contradictory evidence, in which stories of "audio voyeurism" have bombed in that category and they would like to correct me, I will gladly bow out to superior knowledge.

Another note: Someone said that "watching a video" of people having sex was not voyeurism, and another person pointed out that if this was voyeurism, anyone who had ever watched porn would be considered a voyeur. In response to that, I would like to strenuously aver that getting an erotic thrill from watching a video of people having sex is, by definition, voyeurism, and that yes, all of us who have ever watched porn are indeed voyeurs. Why is this controversial? "Voyeurism" is one of the most common sexual kinks that there is, and almost everyone is voyeuristic to some degree.

Now, you can argue with me, depending upon which definition of "voyeurism" you are using. If you are talking strictly about pathological voyeuristic behavior, in which the "voyeur" gets a sexual thrill out of secretly, and without consent observing others sexually, such as in the case of a "peeping tom", then of course most of us are not voyeurs.

I am not talking about the paraphilia, however, because I'm assuming we're discussing the Literotica story category, "Exhibition & Voyeurism", which I believe is referring to the more popular definition of voyeurism. If we're talking about pathological behavior, that's getting more into the Nonconsent/Reluctance category, not the good old fun "let's get off on watching others fuck".

In conclusion, if you have written a tale in which the main erotic interlude of the story involves your hero/heroine(s) getting off on listening to others have sexy fun times, I think you should put it into the E&V category.

Well, it's an offshoot of voyeurism. But not the main focus of my story. It's like how a porno about a pizza delivery guy isn't about the pizza.

I wasn't concerned about the typical E&V reader. I was just trying to find the right tag to label it. There is plenty of 'visual elemental' right after the 1st paragraph. Along with all the other senses.

That was me making a joke about watching porn wasn't voyeurism. It's not controversial. Just my sarcasm going unnoticed. Watching people have sex or being naked for arousal by any means is voyeurism.

The voyeurism in my stories is either consensual or accidental. But sometimes I leave it up to the reader's imagination on which it might be. No creepy peeping toms. That's a violation of people's privacy and a no-no in my book.

The female lead characters talks about getting off on it in the past, but there are no actual scenes of her doing it. If my story ever gets passed the 'drafting' part of the submission process you'll be able to see for yourself. Let's hope more than one person is manning the station on that front.

 

[Athalia]

I'd always thought that an essential component of voyeurism was that the people being observed didn't know they were being observed, or that they were being observed without their consent and probably wouldn't have given it.

But now I'm wondering if that's true. Is it voyeurism if the people being observed know it and like being watched? And that my previous conception should more properly be termed "Peeping Tom" behavior?

Please enlighten me.

 

[IsItBad]

def

Is it still considered voyeurism if you are happily listening to a couple have sex but can't see them? For example through a wall of a neighboring apartment.

it is to me
listening .....is voyeurism

having lived on the road for years for work, i always loved when a rather loud couple was in the room next to mine and made love alot.....

in a way its hotter than seeing.....as you imagine what is really going on....what they really look like etc....

 

[imagreal]

I agree hearing is maybe more exotic than seing, you get your imagination involed.

 

[jehoram]

I'd always thought that an essential component of voyeurism was that the people being observed didn't know they were being observed, or that they were being observed without their consent and probably wouldn't have given it.

But now I'm wondering if that's true. Is it voyeurism if the people being observed know it and like being watched? And that my previous conception should more properly be termed "Peeping Tom" behavior?

Please enlighten me.

Well, I can't help much. Wikipedia defines it as

the sexual interest in or practice of watching other people engaged in intimate behaviors, such as undressing, sexual activity, or other actions usually considered to be of a private nature. The term comes from the French voir which means "to see". A male voyeur is commonly labelled as "Peeping Tom" or a "Jags", a term which originates from the Lady Godiva legend. However, that term is usually applied to a male who observes somebody secretly and, generally, not in a public space.

So while it does mention the condition of secrecy, it doesn't say that it's a necessary condition. The people involved could be aware of it.

Healthline.com says:

Voyeurism is defined as an interest in observing unsuspecting people while they undress, are naked, or engage in sexual activities. The interest is usually more in the act of watching, rather than in the person being watched.

And Healthline adds,

A key element of voyeurism is that the person being watched doesn’t know they’re being observed. The person is typically in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as their home or other private area.

So in that definition, secrecy is essential. The people being watched are unaware that they're being watched.

Merriam-Webster splits the difference:

the practice of obtaining sexual gratification from observing others


also : the criminal act of surreptitiously viewing a person without their consent in a place where the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy (such as a home or public bathroom) or of using a device (such as a camera) for the purpose of such viewing

What I'm taking from this is that the voyeur usually does his activity in secret, without the knowledge or consent of the observed. But it doesn't necessarily exclude the possibility of the people being observed being aware of it.

But note that the M/W second definition defines voyeurism as a crime only when the person is viewed without the element of consent. So, if you're at a nude beach and watching two people screwing and they know you're watching, you're not a voyeur even if you're getting off on the sight.

But what about watching a video? If it's a sex act in a performance, it's assumed that the actors know they're going to be viewed. On the other hand, if it's a hidden camera of a person in a shower or locker room, that's voyeurism. On the third hand (if you've got one), if it's people strolling down a nude beach, well, do they know they're being recorded? Do they care? Do they have a reasonable expectation, that if they're seen nude in public, someone somewhere might see a video of them, even though they haven't given their consent to be recorded?

This is what keeps lawyers and editors busy.

 

[UnpublishedEroticaWriter]

Well, I can't help much. Wikipedia defines it as


So while it does mention the condition of secrecy, it doesn't say that it's a necessary condition. The people involved could be aware of it.

Healthline.com says:


And Healthline adds,


So in that definition, secrecy is essential. The people being watched are unaware that they're being watched.

Merriam-Webster splits the difference:



What I'm taking from this is that the voyeur usually does his activity in secret, without the knowledge or consent of the observed. But it doesn't necessarily exclude the possibility of the people being observed being aware of it.

But note that the M/W second definition defines voyeurism as a crime only when the person is viewed without the element of consent. So, if you're at a nude beach and watching two people screwing and they know you're watching, you're not a voyeur even if you're getting off on the sight.

But what about watching a video? If it's a sex act in a performance, it's assumed that the actors know they're going to be viewed. On the other hand, if it's a hidden camera of a person in a shower or locker room, that's voyeurism. On the third hand (if you've got one), if it's people strolling down a nude beach, well, do they know they're being recorded? Do they care? Do they have a reasonable expectation, that if they're seen nude in public, someone somewhere might see a video of them, even though they haven't given their consent to be recorded?

This is what keeps lawyers and editors busy.

Waching an adult video is voyeurism but the legal kind. Unless you live in the Middle East. Secretly watching someone in private is the illegal kind. If they are out in public at a nude beach (For example) they had no expectation of privacy. So they have no grounds to stand on to complain about being recoreded in public.
The idea of voyeurism has become more main stream. So that it is no longer technically thought of secretly spying on someone. Despite the textbook definition. Maybe they should have a different word to separate the two besides voyeur and peeping tom.

 

[jehoram]

If they are out in public at a nude beach (For example) they had no expectation of privacy. So they have no grounds to stand on to complain about being recorded in public.

You'd have a hard time defending that in court. (At least in California, where I am. Other states may have different laws.) If you're recording or photographing anybody in public, nude or clothed, where the person can be easily identified, you need consent. At most of the big events I've attended, consenting to be photographed is part of the admissions and ticketing routine. And if people want do do things like recording documentaries or news stories, they usually have to ask people up front whether they want to be photographed or recorded,

 

[Athalia]

Well, I can't help much.

This is what keeps lawyers and editors busy.

Actually, you've helped a lot. Apparently, the amount of unawareness or non-consent is what distinguishes voyeurism as a kink from voyeurism as a crime.

It's as though the first can't exist without exhibitionism, while the second can and, in fact does, exclude exhibitionism on the part of the observed.

And the reverse side of the coin --- exhibitionism -- seems to hold to the same standard of non-consent. If I'm being watched on a nude beach fucking or masturbating in front of an appreciative audience and getting off on it, that's exhibitionism as a kink. If I'm a guy who is dressed naked except for a raincoat and I go to a bus stop, and open and close the raincoat in front of some surprised women and then run away, that's exhibitionism as a crime. (From what I've learned from the mail animal, I can't conceive of a situation where, if the genders were reversed, any of the onlookers would mind very much, unless they had children in tow.)

 

[jehoram]

And the reverse side of the coin --- exhibitionism -- seems to hold to the same standard of non-consent. If I'm being watched on a nude beach fucking or masturbating in front of an appreciative audience and getting off on it, that's exhibitionism as a kink. If I'm a guy who is dressed naked except for a raincoat and I go to a bus stop, and open and close the raincoat in front of some surprised women and then run away, that's exhibitionism as a crime.

I hadn't thought of it that way, or actually looked up the definitions for "exhibitionism" but that makes sense.

As a guy, I'd agree that a women who flashes probably won't get a lot of pushback from witnesses, unless it was in a church or something. But since women can go topless in some venues where they couldn't before, or wear light stretchy tops that plainly show their nipples and breast shape, I can see exhibitionism as a crime gradually fading, since it doesn't fall under the "public lewdness" criteria that's often used as a criminal charge.