BDSM

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Please see also Criticisms of BDSM

BDSM is a portmanteau acronym that stands for "bondage & discipline" (B&D), "domination & submission" (D&S) and "sadism & masochism" (S&M), and describes an number of related patterns of human sexual behaviour involving amongst other things sexual sado-masochism in a context that is according to precepts of explicit informed consent by all parties involved. This is sometimes referred to as SSC (safe, sane and consensual) though others prefer RACK (Risk Aware Consensual Kink)

Because of the explicit consent involved, parties involved in BDSM activities see BDSM as quite distinct from sexual abuse, which they regard as non-consensual by definition.

Contents

Psychological

In the past, sadomasochistic activities and fantasies have been regarded by psychiatrists as pathological, but have been regarded as increasingly acceptable since at least the 1990s. Indeed, the DSM-IV asserts that "The fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors" must "cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning" in order for sexual sadism or masochism to be considered a disorder. In particular, the culture of BDSM tends to reject the view of their activities as disordered, and by cultivating acceptance seek to forstal any impairment of distress, both in their own experience an in society at large.

On a psychological level, much BDSM play involves power and dominance, in particular power exchange of various forms. One person may willingly and consciously hand over personal autonomy or the power dynamic may arise between the parties in the relationship as an spontaneous result of their interpersonal chemistry in which case no conscious decision is made. This power can manifest in an endless variety of relationship dynamics. Some of the variations include:

  • addressing another person as "Master" or "Mistress" for a ten-minute scene.
  • a witnessed, formal collaring with a lifelong agreement between the parties for the dominant to micro-manage the submissive's life. See TPE.
  • an agreement of service that covers the duties and responsibilities of the submissive that may or may not include a long term commitment. Some service relationships are understood to last only as long as the submissive maintains performance standards.

The power exchange is always supposed to be negotiated. Before play, the participants discuss their physical and psychological limitations, establish safewords and work out what will happen. But in actuality there is many reject extensive negotiation and eschew the use of safewords, preferring instead to accept heightened risk. A commonly stated reason is the desire for more natural interaction. (But what does that really mean or entail?) The distance between these philosophies lies at the heart of the SSC and RACK controversies.

A submissive person is one who freely submits or seeks to submit to another. Within a BDSM-only context particularly, submissive is often considered synonymous with bottom while others opine that a "submissive" is specifically pursuing a power-exchange as a key element, whereas a "bottom" may or may not be interested (or even willing) to engage in what is called power-exchange. Some have proposed the "pitcher" and "catcher" as more neutral terminology, with the "pitcher" delivering the sensation, the instruction, etc; and the "catcher" receiving what is "pitched".

Submissives vary in how seriously they take their position, training, and situation. Reasons for this may include relief from responsibility, being the object of attention and affection, gaining a sense of security, showing off endurance or working through issues of shame. For others it is simply a 'natural' feeling when they are in the presence of their partner with no specific reward. What are known as service-oriented submissive may also have a deep seated desire to be 'of use'.

Bottoms vary similarly in to what extent they engage in their preferred forms of play (or their partners), in how often they play and even whether they consider it anything so deliberate or self-conscious as "play" or whether it's just how they conduct themselves by habit or nature.

A dominant person enjoys being in control of a submissive person. Reasons for this are said to include demonstrating skill and power, having ownership of another person, being the object of affection and devotion. This may be the fashion in which the dominant feels most comfortable expressing and/or receiving affection. Service oriented dominants would add that it is obviously useful to have the resources and abilities of another human at their disposal.

Of course, other known possible motives remain to be considered, including pleasure taken not only in sheer power, but in the suffering of others, thrill seeking in risk taking, and self destructive behavior outright. That is why motivations, one's own and others, are always wise cause for concern. And this is why caution should be exercised in making BDSM connections.

Safety

Some BDSM activities may be potentially dangerous if appropriate precautions are neglected.

One aspect to ensure safety is to agree upon a safe word. If the Dominant and submissive are in a scene that causes discomfort for one or both of them, a safe word can be verbal uttered to warn the Dominant of trouble and immediately call for a stop to the scene.

Adequate care is only prudent in bondage to ensure safety from injury. For activities involving bodily fluids, hygienic precautions should be duly considered for avoiding the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

Various practices

BDSM may encompass practices such as erotic spanking, flagellation, figging or medical submission (i.e. a submissive partner submits to humiliating and/or painful medical procedures).

BDSM activities are practiced by individuals of all sexualities: male and female, gay or straight, or pansexual. Many practice their BDSM activities exclusively in private, and do not share their predilections with others. Others socialize with other BDSM practitioners. The BDSM community can be regarded as a subculture within mainstream society. Being involved in BDSM or Dominant/submissive relationships on a regular basis is often referred to as being "in the lifestyle".

Some sources estimate the prevalence of BDSM behavior in countries such as the United States at around 5 to 10% of the adult population. While the stereotype of heterosexual BDSM is a female dominant and male submissive, the reality is almost evenly split between "maledom" and "femdom" couples.

It has been claimed (dubiously) that BDSM is one of the most popular 'free time' activities in Japan, and over 40% of the Japanese population partake in this sexual behaviour.

BDSM is often considered an aspect of sexual fetishism and a part of the fetish subculture.

Some BDSM players are polyamorous, or are sexually monogamous but engage in non-sexual play with others.

Physiological

On a physical level, BDSM "sensation play" often involves inflicting pain, even if without actual injury. This releasesendorphins, creating a sensation somewhat like runner's high or the afterglow of orgasm, sometimes called "flying", which some find enjoyable. Some writers use the term "body stress". This experience is the motivation for many in the BDSM community but is not the only motivating factor. Indeed, a strong minority of BDSM participants (especially 'bottoms') may well participate in a scene they do not derive any physical pleasure from in order to provide their 'top' with an opportunity to indulge their desires or fetishes.

In some kinds of BDSM play, the 'top' (usually a dominant partner) applies sensation to the 'bottom' (usually a submissive partner) by spanking, slapping, pinching, stroking or scratching with fingernails, or using implements like straps, whips, paddles, canes, knives, hot wax, ice, clothespins, bamboo skewers, etc. The sensation of being bound with rope, chains, straps, cling wrap, handcuffs or other materials can also be part of the experience.

The tools of BDSM play encompass a wide variety of items from specifically designed implements to ordinary household items, known as "pervertibles".

A pleasurable BDSM experience thought to depend greatly upon a competent top and the bottom attaining the correct state of mind. Trust and sexual arousal help a person prepare for the intense sensation. Some have even gone so far as ro compare adept BDSM play to musical composition and performance, each sensation like unto a musical note. Likewise, different sensations are combined in different ways to produce the total experience.

Other points

  • BDSM may or may not involve sex of any kind.
  • BDSM may or may not involve sexual roleplaying.
  • BDSM may or may not involve ageplay.
  • How dominant or submissive a person may be in their regular life does not always determine their preferred role in BDSM play though many people do manifest these tendencies.
  • BDSM play often includes the psychological pleasure of fetishes.

Terminology

BDSM activities are described as "play" in BDSM terminology. The BDSM term is a portmanteau acronym intended to take in all of the following activities:

Some BDSM terminology:

Note that it's common to begin dominant terms with an upper case, for example: Top, Master, Dom etc, as well as to begin submissive terms with a lower case, even where normally incorrect, chiefly in acronyms and abbreviations, such as D/s for Dom/sub.

History

The historical origins of BDSM are obscure. Some sources claim that BDSM, as a distinct form of sexual behaviour, originated at the beginnings of the nineteenth century, when Western civilization began medically and legally categorizing sexual behaviour. Other sources say that BDSM-like behaviour occurs in many other societies, such as the medieval flagellants or the physical ordeal rituals of some Native American societies.

The medieval phenomenon of courtly love in all of it's slavish devotion and ambivalence, has been suggested by some writers to be a precursor of BDSM.

Although the names of the Marquis de Sade and Leopold von Sacher-Masoch are attached to the terms sadism and masochism respectively, the question remains as to whether their ways of life would meet with modern BDSM standards of informed consent.

Robert Bienvenu attributes the origins of modern BDSM to three sources, which he names as "European Fetish" (from 1928), "American Fetish" (from 1934), and "Gay Leather" (from 1950).

Much of the BDSM ethos can be traced back to gay male leather culture, which grew out of post-WWII biker culture. This subculture is epitomized by the Leatherman's Handbook by Larry Townsend, published in 1972, which essentially defined the "Old Guard leather" culture. This code emphasized strict formality and fixed roles (i.e. no switching), and did not really include lesbian women or heterosexuals.

Another source is the sexual games played in brothels, which go back into the nineteenth century if not earlier.

BDSM ideas and imagery have existed on the fringes of Western culture throughout the twentieth century. Some of the key artists were John Willie and Eric Stanton.

In the mid-nineties, the Internet provided a way of finding people with specialized interests around the world and communicating with them anonymously. This brought about an explosion of interest and knowledge of BDSM, particularly on the usenet group alt.sex.bondage. When that group became too choked with spam, the focus moved to soc.subculture.bondage-bdsm.

New Guard leather subculture appeared around this time, as a reaction to the restrictions of Old Guard style. New Guard, or new leather, embraced switching and often combined spirituality with their play.

The expansion of BDSM also coincided with the spread of AIDS. Some writers have suggested that one of the appeals of BDSM is it's a form of sexuality that does not (necessarily) involve body fluids and therefore has reduced risk of disease.


BDSM and fetish imagery has spread out into the mainstream of Western culture through avant-garde fashion, the gothic subculture, rap, hip-hop and heavy metal video clips, and science fiction television and movies.

The modern BDSM subculture is widespread. Most major cities in North America and western Europe have clubs and play parties, as well as informal, low-pressure gatherings called munches. There are also conventions like Living in Leather and Black Rose.

See also:

Notable authors (fiction and non-fiction):

International

The legal situation of sadomasochists varies greatly between countries. In Japan, Germany and the Scandinavian countries, consensual BDSM is legal. In other countries it is an example of a consensual crime.

At least in the western, industrialized countries and Japan, since the 1980s sadomasochists have begun to form information exchange and support groups to counter the discriminatory image held by orthodox science and parts of the public. This has happened independently in the USA and in several European countries. With the advent of the web, international cooperation has started to develop - for example Datenschlag is a joint effort of sadomasochists in the three major German-speaking countries.

Documentaries about BDSM

References

  • Pat Califia. Sensuous Magic. New York, Masquerade Books, 1993. ISBN 1-56333-131-4
  • Gloria G. Brame, William D. Brame, and Jon Jacobs. Different Loving. Villard Books, New York, 1993. ISBN 0-679-40873-8
  • Anita Phillips, A Defence of Masochism, Faber 1999.
  • Robert Bienvenu, The Development of Sadomasochism as a Cultural Style in the Twentieth-Century United States, 2003, available in PDF format at http://www.americanfetish.net/

External links


References

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