Page:Fielding - Sex and the Love Life.pdf/62

 less widespread. The two qualities are ever present in every individual, although in widely varying proportions, and constitute one of the several ambivolent features of our personality.

Ambivolence relates to the state of having opposing impulses, and the experiencing of opposite feelings, at the same time. Thus, the ego and sex characteristics of each individual are made up of groups of opposing traits, the sum total of which constitutes one's personality. Everyone has both sadistic and masochistic qualities; tendencies to exhibitionism and sexual curiosity; homo- and hetero-sexual feelings, etc.

In the sexual realm, masochism is evidenced in the person (usually female) who obtains sexual gratification by being subjected to a certain amount of pain during intercourse. The sex act is usually accompanied by some slight suggestion of pain to the woman, although in the proper relations not the slightest harm or injury is done. Rather, the situation is symbolized—i. e., in the mastery of the male; the submission of the female.

There are male masochists in the pervert class who experience sexual gratification by submitting to beatings, usually hiring prostitutes or others for that purpose.

As the individual progresses along cultural lines, his primitive sadistic-masochistic characteristics are sublimated in socially acceptable channels.

Homosexuality. This is a state in which one is sexually disposed toward members of the same sex. It is normally a primitive trait of childhood, which prevails up to the time of adolescence, but which may and sometimes does persist in adult life. The opposite, and normal condition, is called heterosexuality.

Young boys and young girls usually have little interest in