A4 – Research Sexual Deviance (50 points)
Sexual proclivities are far more various than most of us dare to consider. Your task is to make an attempt to learn a little more about human variety. Do an informal report on a common, harmless, deviant sexuality-related practice, lifestyle, fetish, or kink, current or past.
NOTE: avoid any practices involving underage participants, or anything that is non-consensual. While such practices are good examples of deviance, it is unethical and potentially illegal to visit websites and view pictures of such material.
Some places to start (but you should use other sources): https://www.glamour.com/story/a-to-z-kinks-and-fetishes https://thoughtcatalog.com/sylvie-quinn/2018/05/sexual-fetishes/ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/a24481923/kinks-fetish-list/ https://lioness.io/blogs/sex-guides/a-beginner-s-guide-to-kink-intro-definitions
Once you select a type of sexuality deviance, you should do a small amount of internet research to learn about it. Focus on the act as an example of deviance. This should be an academic report, not a voyeuristic or prurient one.
Do try to be careful here…recognize that the internet is not always safe, and that malicious actors tend to prey on users of sexually-related material. There is no need to veer into sexually graphic material to complete this assignment. It may actually be useful to use a content filter. Also, given our puritanical social norms, it may be worth remembering you can do searches “incognito” if you’d rather not have to explain this assignment to other users.
Your report should be 1300+ words and should do the following 4 things: [Please number your paper 1-4 and respond to each thoroughly. The subheadings are just suggestions: you need not respond to all letters.]
1. Define/describe the practice.
a. Does it require partners? How does one meet them?
b. Does it require objects or locations?
c. Does it require money?
d. Is it dangerous or difficult?
2. Who does it; where, when, how?
a. Is there a community of people involved in this practice? If so, name them and describe them.
3. How deviant is it? (explain)
a. Describe how practitioners are viewed by the rest of the national community.
b. Describe the social sanctions that do or can result from exposure. Give examples if possible.
4. Describe how practitioners manage stigma:
a. To what extent are practitioners discredited or discreditable?
b. Are there groups that attempt to create a positive identity for the practitioners?
c. Describe passing, covering, disavowal, avowal. Are there any important narratives or identities?
d. Describe common accounts (excuses, justifications), facilitators (neutralizations, disclaimers)
5. If it’s possible, include a picture that tastefully illustrates the deviance.
This report should teach the reader about the practice and about how deviance works.
Include a “Works Cited” section that meticulously documents your sources. If your source is a webpage or website, include a link that I can follow for every source. Make sure you have included at least 3 thoughtful and reliable sources. Use primary sources and academic sources where possible.
This report should be IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Don’t borrow language from others. If you include ANY language from a source, you must use quotes and you must provide a clear citation that allows the reader to find the quote.
Also, don’t use any AI. This should be your own writing only.
