Why paraphilias are much more common in men than in women
The number of reported cases of paraphilias in different parts of the world indicates that more men are affected by the condition n their female counterparts. There are few studies that have been done to determine the main reason for this disparity in the number of victims. The most plausible reason for the high number of paraphilia cases among women is a psychological approach. It is apparent that testosterone is the hormone responsible for sexual behavior, fantasies, and urges. It is also clear that men produce more testosterone than women; hence, they are more likely to be sexually aggressive and experimental.
Paraphilia is associated with the development of abnormal sexual desires that may include practicing some behaviors that are extremely dangerous. This aggressiveness has been linked to the production of abnormally high levels of testosterone.
Women produce relatively lower amounts of testosterone than men, and this means that they are less likely to develop paraphilic tendencies, although they also face a risk of developing the condition. The production of excessive amounts of testosterone on the part of males is not the sole factor leading to the development of paraphilia. The psychological configuration of the man is a major determinant of the sexual desires and fantasies he assumes.
For instance, men with a psychological impairment may engage in very risky sexual behavior if they are paraphilic. Some men may develop risky behaviors like rape, peeping on other people, and forcing their partners into risky sexual encounters. The interplay between high levels of testosterone and abnormal psychological issues is more common among men than women; hence, the disorder is more likely to be portrayed by men than women.
Theory of paraphilias
The psychoanalytic theory of paraphilias makes more sense because it explains the roots of the disorder from a psychological perspective. According to the psychoanalytic theory, paraphilia is a condition that is manifested by people with unresolved issues, and most of the issues can be traced to their childhood. Most of the abnormal behaviors of the victims of the disorder are associated with anxiety and irrational responses to sexual desires.
Researchers have linked most cases of paraphilia with the presence of abuse of the victims during their childhood. There are also cases of adults portraying this disorder after suffering from serious mental and physical abuse. The psychoanalytic theory clearly indicates that paraphilic disorder is a function of psychological abuse and other factors that are yet to be established. The theory also reveals that the disorder may result from the development of low-self esteem in an individual, or his or her voluntary alienation from society.
There are many theories that have attempted to explain the causal factors of paraphilia, but most of them fail to consider the interplay between hormones and psychological issues. The psychoanalytic theory is among the few theories that have assumed this approach in explaining the disorder, and it focuses on finding the common factors portrayed by the victims of the disorder. This theory is quite plausible because it does not assume the role of any psychological factor; rather, it looks at the common factors portrayed by the majority of the victims. The validation of the claims of the theory is yet to be actualized, but the theory has provided researchers with a good starting point to address the causes of paraphilia. The theory is also instrumental in developing potential treatments for the disorder.