In the gender identity disorder of transsexualism, confusion or conflict exists within a person about sexual definition. A transsexual is a person who believes that his or her body does not fit his or her gender self-image. For example, the individual may claim to be of the opposite sex inside, regardless of what the mirror tells the person. Many seek surgery to "correct" their biological gender. Some hospitals refuse to perform such surgery anymore because of studies showing little or no improvement in transsexuals' satisfaction with themselves after surgery. Such surgery is more nearly satisfactory when taking the male sexual organ and converting it into a facsimile of the female's. The reverse operation is less satisfactory because of the problem of creating an effective penis from the female's sexual organs. Many TV shows have exploited transsexualism. In one episode of "WKRP in Cincinnati", for example, Herb meets and subsequently sleeps with an old classmate at a high school reunion. The next day he has trouble remembering his classmate as a high schooler, and it is not until she reveals that she used to be male, that he is able to place her (him?).
Transvestism is when people wear the clothes of the opposite sex. There is no necessary relationship, however, between object choice (e.g.,. heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual) and transvestism. All possible combinations are found. For example, a "drag queen" is a male homosexual who likes to wear women's clothes, but not all male homosexuals wear women's clothes, nor are all males who wear women's clothes homosexual. In American society, an asymmetrical situation by gender exists as well in regard to transvestism. It is much easier to label a male as a transvestite than to label a female so, because women's fashions typically include men's clothes, but not vice-versa. So, a woman in pants would not be labelled a transvestite, whereas a man in a skirt probably would be.
The paraphilias, unusual or inappropriate sexual behaviors, are good examples of deviancy-based definitions of abnormal behavior. They generally consist of statistically or socioculturally deviant categories of behavior. Some may soon not be considered deviant for example, ego-dystonic homosexuality, was recently removed from the DSM. Other forms of homosexuality have been not considered deviant on the DSM for over 20 years, although other groups, notably religious groups, may consider all forms of homosexuality as deviant.
Fetishes are specialized requirements for objects or conditions during sexual behavior. Typically, males are more likely to want or require fetish objects than are females. Fetish objects and behaviors may include rubber or leather clothing, high heels, and bondage. Classical conditioning, with arousal as the UCS, and the fetish item as the CS, goes a long way toward explaining the development of fetishes.
Zoophilia is sex with animals. The Kinsey Report found that rural males are much more likely to have reported such activity than are urban males.
Pedophilia is sex with children. Such behavior is probably one that most people would agree is abnormal. Universal agreement on pedophilia's deviance is not found, however. Groups in the US promoting pedophilia, and lobbying for changes in laws that prevent such behavior, exist. More recently, pedophile computer groups have also surfaced, where members exchange child pornography, for instance. However, even in criminal populations, child molesters are perceived as the lowest of the low, meaning that even felons like murderers or armed robbers consider pedophilia abnormal.
Exhibitionism is the displaying of one's body for one's own sexual gratification. Voyeurism is desiring to watch others engage in sexual behavior. Both of these categories are exhibited in American culture along a wide continuum. American culture provides many opportunities for voyeuristic behavior, from TV, for instance, to X-rated movies. It becomes very difficult to establish criteria for abnormality in such an environment. Recently, much concern has surfaced over the distribution of sexually related materials over the Internet. A California couple, for instance, was convicted of violating a Tennessee law when a postal inspector downloaded a picture of a sexual nature from a BBS (electronic bulletin board system) maintained by the couple. Others have voiced concern over minors gaining access to such materials over the Internet and other computer networks.
Masochism is the desire to receive pain during sexual behavior, while sadism in the desire to inflict such pain. In both cases, sexual gratification is the goal. Most municipalities will not interfere with such behaviors, provided they are engaged in by adults with obvious consent.