It's like why people read scary books or go see scary movies. Because it creates a distance. They're scared, but they're not going to get hurt. They know at the end of the evening they're not going to die. It's just a kink.
Some people have it.
It leans toward being pathetic, but it's still human. Yet it is somewhat pathetic because they know they're not going to be murdered. Then at the end of the evening, they're going to go home, cuddle up to the wife and be nice and safe. It's the same thing. Cover up with a Salon T-shirt this summer.