Voyeurism

I looked up Voyeurism through the online dictionary and it says:

1 : one obtaining sexual gratification from observing unsuspecting individuals who are partly undressed, naked, or engaged in sexual acts; broadly : one who habitually seeks sexual stimulation by visual means

After reading that, I changed my mind about it being the same as people watching in New York City. I can say I am guilty of innocently watching passerbys go about their day, but I never spy on people in a creepy sexual way. I don't really understand the term. In class it was made that it was not in a sexual way but this definition seems to be quite the opposite.

All I think of now when I hear this word is stalkers, peeping toms and serial killers. I think people are allowed to observe strangers, for it is a little hard not to. Plus I feel it helps you understand the society that you live in better. Also, I think about looking at people and when people look at me. I find people that look at the ground and don't look up around them more uncomfortable and unapproachable than those that are looking at their surroundings. That is okay but if this is really the definition, there may be some problems.