So, obviously quite a few of us enjoy humiliation play in various forms. But thinking about it recently, an issue came to mind that's caused me some level of unease. I'm having a little trouble verbalising my ethical concern, but I'm going to try anyways.

Ok. Let's try this. For some people, I can understand that humiliation is a turn-on, and harmless fun. I don't really share it, but I can understand it. However, what if this humiliation fetish is linked into something deeper and more problematic in the individuals psyche? Take for an example a male who's fetish is to be humiliated and abused regarding his small penis. If that's linked to a deep-seated and pervasive feeling of inadequacy, is it ethical to indulge his kink and damn the consequences?

What are people's takes on this issue? What are the possible harms and dangers involved in it, especially if that person rejects any attempts at 'rebuilding' after a humilation episode (.e. praise or comfort. I don't know about anyone else, but I definately tend to be very extra special nice and praising to someone if I've just gone through an abuse/humiliation moment with them, otherwise I feel shitty about it.

I guess, in the most general possible terms, my question is 'is it ethical to give someone something they take pleasure in, even though in the long run it may be harmful to them?'

Comments, responses, opinions, rebuttals?