Human-animal sex, beyond prejudgments. What does research contribute?
Keywords:
Bestiality, paraphilias, prejudices, taboo, zoophiliaAbstract
Sexual relationships between humans and animals have existed since the dawn of humanity in all places and cultures of the world. Despite being deemed the most frequent paraphilia, zoophilia/bestiality is poorly studied, possibly due to the social taboo it generates. This work was proposed to confront the prejudices about human-animal sex with the data of the most recent research carried out. The data show a wide variability among people who have sex with animals. In addition, they allow us to reject the beliefs that human-animal sex is associated with rural areas, farm animals, that their practitioners have intellectual disabilities or severe mental disorders, or that they do so under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Moreover, the idea that
bestiality is purely developed as a casual practice or due to sexual deprivation with other humans is rejected. The abusive
nature of its practitioners is discussed, as well as the assertion that human-animal sex is currently employed as a form of
adolescent sexual experimentation. Finally, we conclude by highlighting the need for open discussions on the subject,
promoting research and avoiding prejudices, mainly among professionals devoted to the clinical approach to humans and
animals.
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