YNOT – The results of a survey commissioned by fetish studio Kink.com indicate 88 percent of American men believe consensual, private behavior between adults is “totally appropriate,” regardless how kinky. In addition, 79 percent of survey respondents said it’s OK to have and enjoy sexual fetishes.The Awareness and Sexual Perception Study, performed by Wiser Marketing Group, found the average man feels less stigmatized when discussing his sexuality today than previously. In addition, responses indicated some people may be a little more “deviant” than the greater population realizes.

“Engaging in a variety of safe, consensual and mutually pleasurable sexual activities adds to the development of healthy relationships, and perhaps boosts an individual’s mental, physical and spiritual health, as well,” said Eric Marlowe Garrison, MAEd, MSc, a consulting sexologist and author of Mastering Multiple Position Sex. “The Awareness and Sexual Preference Study sheds light on dozens of historically taboo, alternative sexual activities that society is now beginning to cast aside and even accept with open arms.”

In the study of 315 men between the ages of 25 and 54, not only did a great majority support couples in their right to please one-another as they wish, but their support of historically taboo activities was refreshingly broad. Thirty-seven percent of respondents indicated they would be interested in having sex in public, and 30 percent might be interested in tying up a partner or being tied up, assuming safety and willingness on both accounts.

A little more mainstream, but deviant according to historical social mores, 53 percent of respondents said they get sexually aroused when viewing people other than their partner(s) nude, and 52 percent become sexually aroused while watching others have sex. Forty-seven percent of both groups described themselves as “somewhat/very religious.”

“The fact that the world is loosening up a bit is so refreshing,” said Kink.com founder Peter Acworth. “We’ve been stereotyped for far too long, and for no reason other than wanting to satisfy our innate carnal needs and desires. When I saw the results of the study, I said to myself, ‘it’s so good to see progress.’ I mean there’s nothing wrong with a little enjoyment of ‘alternative’ sexual activities as long as everyone involved is participating consensually.”

Established in 1997, Kink.com was created to demystify and celebrate alternative sexualities by providing the ethical and authentically kinky adult entertainment. Each website operated by Kink.com is directed by a webmaster who is involved in the alternative sexuality portrayed, and each site offers authentic fetish footage. The sites include Hogtied.com and UltimateSurrender.com, among many others.