You’re walking through a park in the evening or taking a shortcut through a deserted area, and a stranger blocks your path. He parts the flaps of his coat, and there’s nothing there but himself. Some had to endure a traumatic encounter in childhood, others encountered this phenomenon for the first time as adults. Tell me honestly, do you wonder why they need it at all? Let’s find out.
Exhibitionists: Who are they anyway?
From a psychological point of view, exhibitionism is a sexual deviation, a paraphilia, which is characterized by a very strong need to demonstrate one’s genitals to strangers. Usually, the “unexpected discovery” occurs in public places, where there is an easy way to retreat. The purpose of such a demonstration is a shock reaction of the “victim”, which is what they fantasize about and achieve.
Not to be confused with nudists! Nudists do not experience sexual arousal and do not intentionally display their nakedness, i.e. they do not aim to make other people stare at their genitals. At the same time, if you experience arousal when undressing in front of your boyfriend, this is not exhibitionism, but a completely healthy reaction. But if you are aroused when you have sex in public, attracting the glances of random passers-by, this may already be a sign of a disorder.
Similarly, striptease dancers are not exhibitionists, as they show their private parts to the audience that wants to see them. So they do not receive any shock reaction.
Exhibitionism is a male-dominated behavior. A national survey in Sweden found that 4.1% of men and only 2.1% of women admitted to having exposed their genitals to strangers at least once in their lives while experiencing sexual arousal. Men are also more likely to be arrested for the behavior because female victims are more likely to call the police in such cases.
So, in order to call someone an exhibitionist, the following components are required:
- sexual arousal from the very fact of demonstration;
- a surprise for the “victim”.
Why do they need this?
The tendency toward exhibitionism usually manifests itself quite early. For example, one study showed that some exhibitionists “start their journey” at age 12, moving on to regular “sessions” by age 15.
As a rule, these are closed, indecisive people. Such a person is definitely not the life of the party, it is difficult for him to find new acquaintances and a common language with other people. Thus, most exhibitionists have difficulties with communication. They switch to unhealthy behavior precisely because of the inability to build normal sexual relationships.
Once they have tried it and experienced excitement from it, exhibitionists fix in their minds the connection between the demonstration of genitals and pleasure, after which it is difficult for them to give up this harmful practice. This psychological connection is not so easy to break.
What kind of reaction do they expect?
A team of researchers asked 185 exhibitionists what kind of reaction they would like from a viewer. The most common answer (35.1%) was: “I would like a stranger to have sexual intercourse with me.”
“A reaction is not necessary at all,” answered 19.5%. 15.1% would like the “victim” to also show their intimate parts. Next come “Admiration” – 14.1%, “Any reaction” – 11.9%. And only 3.8% of exhibitionists wanted the “victim” to feel anger or disgust, and even fewer (0.5%) named fear as a desirable reaction.
How are they treated?
Like any disorder based on sexuality, treatment of exhibitionists usually begins with therapy. Sometimes doctors add medication – antidepressants to therapy. If the treatment does not give the desired effect, and the problem takes a serious turn, the man may be prescribed drugs that block the action of testosterone.
What does the kettle have to do with it?
There are several types of paraphilias that are still considered exhibitionism, but don’t necessarily involve a parka, coat, and pepper spray. The Internet has given exhibitionists the ability to make their practices less traumatic for strangers.
Reflectorporn is a photograph of yourself naked in any reflective surface. Fans of “reflectorporn” usually then post the pictures on the Internet. Examples of “reflectorporn” include “photographs of naked men and women reflected in teapots, TV screens, toasters, and even knives and forks.”
The trend started with a man who once tried to sell a teapot at an Australian auction and took a photo of it specifically for this purpose. Naked. At least it was clear that the teapot was clean.
History has not preserved the details: what kind of teapot it was, whether the Australian managed to sell it and how much he asked for it.
Anasyrma is lifting the skirt when there is no underwear underneath.
Candaulesism is a form of sexual perversion in which a person receives sexual pleasure from showing others their naked partner. It was named after the Lydian king Candaules, who, according to legend, showed his naked wife to his bodyguard.
Mooning is the deliberate exposure of the back of a person’s pelvis in public. It is used as a sign of protest or contempt, as a joke or for the sake of shock value.
Flashing is a woman’s immediate display of her breasts or genitals.
Martimaclia is a form of sexual deviance in which a person becomes aroused when someone else watches them having sex.
Striking is running naked in a public place. It is usually not sexual, but provocative.
