Citation

Kambara T. Kyoto J. Sociol. 2000; 8: 1-30.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Kyōto Daigaku Bungakubu Shakaigaku Kenkyūshitsu)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Various forms of sexuality exist in contemporary society. It is often said that one is able to choose his or her own sexual identity, so long as it brings no harm to others. If this is the case, how should we consider "violent sexuality?" First this paper focuses on masochistic sexual subject and self-defeating sexual relationship. Actually, some persons may have masochistic or self-defeating sexulity. But some of them compulsively suffer with such sexual orientaions. Probably, simply telling them to stop such self-defeating behavior may only act to exacerbate the problem. Yet, if we say "One selects one's own sexual identity or relationships, so there is no problem", we may admit the power and relationships which force one to live such self-defeating life. Admitting hurting oneself may follow admitting hurting someone else that defeat oneself. Therefore, we must look into the power structure which reproduces the cycle of selfdefeating sexual relationships and sexual violence. For example, there are several discourses, which say "Victims want to be raped" or "Victims cause rapes." Such discourses admit sexual violence and force victims to suffer in silence. Furthermore, how can we deal with the issue of sadistic sexual subject? Or, how can sadists live without hurting others? Or, how can those who want to rape others be satisfied without using sexual violence? In this article, two cases are presented. One is a survivor of sexual assault. Attending self-help groups, she is recovering from self-defeating sexual addiction. The second is sado-masochist. Through therapy, he was learning to do without using violence. These cases show us very important issues. They learn to accept the existence of themselves through sympathetic communications. And they bring up their inner possibility to love themselves and eventually others through comprehending their own sexual subjects. Such a possibility may help to overcome the nihilism and sadism, which are the essence of modern society.