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BDSM Dictionary : BDSM : ICcode
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This entry is part of the BDSM Dictionary hosted by Informed Consent.
This is the version from 13 Jun 11, 2:19 AM. The full history of this entry will show any more recent versions.
[b]BDSM[/b] is a catch all phase used to describe an interest in a number of related patterns of [about=human sexual behaviour]human sexual behaviour[/about] including [about=sadomasochism]sadomasochism[/about], [about=power exchange]power exchange[/about] or [about=bondage]bondage[/about]. Strictly speaking, [about=fetishism]fetishism[/about] is not part of BDSM, but fetish imagery is very common in visual depiction of BDSM activities. The major sub-groupings are described in the abbreviation "BDSM" itself: [item][about=sexual bondage]bondage[/about] & [about=discipline]discipline[/about] ([b]B&D[/b]) [item][about=Domination and submission]Domination & submission[/about] ([b]D&S, DS, D/S[/b]) [item][about=sadism and masochism]sadism & masochism[/about] (or sadomasochism) ([b]S&M, SM[/b]) To someone outside of the fetish / BDSM [about=scene]scene[/about] it might appear to be a very homogeneous group of people, this is not the case however. An interest in BDSM is a [about=paraphilia]paraphilia[/about] and as such the stimulous that brings on the sexual arousal in an individual will vary from person to person. For one person [about=objectification]objectification[/about] and sexual [about=humiliation]humiliation[/about] might be a huge turn on whilst the thought of being [about=Caning]caned[/about] by a [about=dominant]dominant[/about] does nothing to them at all. For another person the reverse might be the case. This emphasis on [about=informed consent]informed consent[/about] and safety is also known as SSC ([about=safe, sane and consensual]safe, sane and consensual[/about]), though others prefer RACK [about=RACK](Risk Aware Consensual Kink)[/about], which places the emphasis more on informed consent, and acknowledges the fact that all activities are potentially risky. [heading]Psychological In the past, sadomasochistic activities and fantasies were regarded by most 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 behaviours" 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. People who practice BDSM tend to reject the view of their activities as disordered. [b]Power exchange[/b] The term [about=power exchange]power exchange[/about] is associated with a [about=submissive]submissive[/about] exchanging his/her authority to make decisions (either just for a [about=scene]scene[/about], or for his/her entire life) for the [about=dominant]dominant[/about]'s agreement to take responsibility for his/her happiness and health. The nature of the power exchange varies greatly and can be explicitly [about=negotiated]negotiated[/about] or implicit in the consensuality of the relationship. [b]Submissive behaviour[/b] A [about=Submissive#Noun]submissive[/about] person is one who submits of their own free will and seeks to submit to another. This can be in the context of [about=play]play[/about] times within a set [about=scene]scene[/about], [about=TPE]totally immersed[/about] within a [about=power exchange]power exchange[/about] relationship or anywhere in between. [b]Dominant behaviour[/b] A [about=Dominant#Noun]dominant[/about] person enjoys being with a [about=Submissive#Noun]submissive[/about] person, either just during a [about=scene]scene[/about] or as a [about=Lifestyle]way of life[/about]. Reasons for this include a desire for personal power; being the object of devotion; having the resources and abilities of another human at their disposal; sadism. [b]Switching[/b] Some practitioners of BDSM enjoy [about=Switch]switching[/about] — that is, playing both dominant and submissive roles, either during a single scene or taking on different roles at different occasions with different partners. A [about=Switch]switch[/about] will be the [about=top (BDSM)]top[/about] on some occasions and the [about=bottom (BDSM)]bottom[/about] on other occasions. A 'switch' may be in a relationship with someone of the same primary orientation (two dominants, say), so switching provides each partner with an opportunity to realise his or her unsatisfied BDSM needs with others. [heading]Safety Some BDSM activities may be potentially dangerous if appropriate precautions are neglected. One aspect to ensure safety is to agree upon a [about=safeword]safeword[/about]. If the Dominant and submissive are in a scene that causes unacceptable discomfort for one or both of them, a "safe word" can be uttered to warn the Dominant of trouble and immediately call for a stop to the scene. Adequate care is prudent in [about=sexual bondage]bondage[/about] to ensure safety from injury. For activities involving bodily fluids, hygienic precautions should be duly considered for avoiding the spread of [about=sexually transmitted diseases]sexually transmitted diseases[/about]. [heading]Various practices Many of the specific practises in BDSM are those which, if performed in neutral or nonsexual contexts, are widely considered unpleasant, undesirable, or disadvantageous. For example, [about=pain]pain[/about], physical restraint and servitude are traditionally inflicted on persons against their will and to their detriment. In BDSM, however, these activities are engaged in with the mutual [about=Informed consent]consent[/about] of the participants, and typically for mutual enjoyment. BDSM may encompass practices such as [about=erotic spanking]erotic spanking[/about], [about=flagellation]flagellation[/about], such as [about=flogging]flogging[/about], [about=paddling]paddling[/about] or [about=whipping]whipping[/about], or [about=medical fetishism]medical submission[/about] (i.e. a submissive partner submits to humiliating and/or painful medical procedures). BDSM activities are practised by male and female individuals of all sexualities: [about=homosexuality]gay[/about] or [about=heterosexuality]straight[/about], or [about=bisexuality]bisexual[/about], as well as the [about=transgender]transgendered[/about]. Many practise their BDSM activities exclusively in private, and do not share their predilections with others. Others socialise 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 [about=lifestyle]lifestyle[/about]". Some sources estimate the prevalence of BDSM behaviour in countries such as the United States at around 5 to 10% of the adult population. While the stereotype of heterosexual BDSM is a male dominant and female submissive, the reality is almost evenly split between "[about=Male domination]maledom[/about]" and "[about=Female domination]femdom[/about]" couples. [heading]Physiological On a physical level, BDSM "[about=sensation play]sensation play[/about]" often involves inflicting pain, even if without actual injury. This releases [about=endorphin]endorphins[/about], 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 [about=scene]scene[/about] 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 [about=Sexual_bondage]bound[/about] 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 "[about=pervertible]pervertible[/about]s". A pleasurable BDSM experience is 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 to compare adept BDSM play to musical composition and performance, each sensation like a musical note. Likewise, different sensations are combined in different ways to produce the total experience. [heading]Other points [item] BDSM may or may not involve [about=human sexual behaviour]sex[/about] of any kind. [item] BDSM may or may not involve [about=sexual roleplaying]sexual roleplaying[/about]. [item] BDSM may or may not involve [about=ageplay]ageplay[/about]. [item] 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. Often people who express one role in their regular life, such as at work, strongly desire to express the opposite role within their sexual life, as a kind of release. [item]BDSM play often includes the psychological pleasure of [about=Sexual fetishism]fetish[/about]es. [item]Some BDSM players are [about=polyamory]polyamorous[/about], or are sexually [about=monogamous]monogamous[/about] but engage in non-sexual play with others. [item]A couple may engage in BDSM sexually, and otherwise have a completely normal relationship. [item]When there is abuse in the relationship, the submissive is as likely to be abusive as the dominant. [heading]Terminology See [about=List of BDSM terms]List of BDSM terms[/about] [heading]History There are many historical precursors to BDSM; however, the modern BDSM movement (in the sense of the coming together of those with various different alternative interests into one common mutually-supportive pan-fetish movement) didn't fully take shape until the 1980s, while the term "BDSM" itself was apparently not invented until ca. 1990 (the earliest surviving use of this term in the Google Groups archives of the [about=Alt.sex.bondage]alt.sex.bondage[/about] Usenet group dates from June 1991). There are anecdotal reports of people willingly being bound or whipped as a prelude to, or substitute for, sex going back to the fourteenth century. The medieval phenomenon of courtly love in all of its slavish devotion and ambivalence has been suggested by some writers to be a precursor of BDSM. Some sources claim that BDSM as a distinct form of sexual behaviour originated at the beginning of the eighteenth century when Western civilisation began medically and legally categorising sexual behaviour. Other sources give a broader definition citing BDSM-like behaviour in earlier times and other cultures, such as the medieval flagellants and the physical ordeal rituals of some Native American societies. Although the names of the [about=Marquis de Sade]Marquis de Sade[/about] and [about=Leopold von Sacher-Masoch]Leopold von Sacher-Masoch[/about] are attached to the terms [about=sadism]sadism[/about] and [about=masochism]masochism[/about] respectively, the question remains as to whether their ways of life would meet with modern BDSM standards of informed consent. BDSM ideas and imagery have existed on the fringes of Western culture throughout the twentieth century. Some of the key artists were [about=John Willie]John Willie[/about] and [about=Eric Stanton]Eric Stanton[/about]. [about=Robert Bienvenu]Robert Bienvenu[/about] 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). Another source is the sexual games played in brothels, which go back into the nineteenth century if not earlier. Much of the BDSM ethos can be traced back to gay male [about=Old Guard leather]leather culture[/about], which grew out of post-WWII biker culture. This subculture is epitomised by the "Leatherman's Handbook" by Larry Townsend, published in 1972, which essentially defined the "Old Guard leather" culture. This code emphasised strict formality and fixed roles (i.e. no switching), and did not really include [about=lesbian]lesbian[/about] women or heterosexuals. In 1981, however, the publication of "Coming to Power" by Samois led to a greater knowledge and acceptance of BDSM in the lesbian community. In the mid-nineties, the [about=Internet]Internet[/about] provided a way of finding people with specialised interests around the world and communicating with them anonymously. This brought about an explosion of interest and knowledge of BDSM, particularly on the [about=usenet]usenet[/about] group [about=alt.sex.bondage]alt.sex.bondage[/about]. When that group became too choked with [about=Wikipedia:spamming]spam[/about], the focus moved to [url=http://groups.google.com/groups?q=soc.subculture.bondage-bdsm&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&btnG=Google+Search]soc.subculture.bondage-bdsm[/url]. [about=New Guard leather]New Guard[/about] [about=leather subculture]leather subculture[/about] appeared around this time. BDSM and fetish imagery has spread out into the mainstream of Western culture through [about=avant-garde]avant-garde[/about] fashion, the [about=goth]Gothic subculture[/about], rap, hip-hop and heavy metal music, 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 [about=play party]play parties[/about], as well as informal, low-pressure gatherings called [about=Munch]munches[/about]. There are also conventions like [about=Living in Leather]Living in Leather[/about], [about=TESfest]TESfest[/about] and [about=Black Rose]Black Rose[/about], as well as the annual [about=Folsom Street Fair]Folsom Street Fair[/about] in San Francisco. The [about=Leather Pride Flag]Leather Pride Flag[/about] is a symbol used by the leather community or subculture. [heading]International The legal situation of sadomasochistic activities 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, industrialised 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, and the mailing list Schlagworte uses the model of a news agency to connect six countries. [heading]Notables [item]Notable artists and art: See the [about=Art]article on art[/about]. [item]Notable Authors: See [about=list of erotic authors]list of erotic authors[/about] [item]Notable photographers: See [about=List of photographers]List of photographers[/about] [item]Notable publishers (fiction and non-fiction): See [about=List of publishers]List of publishers[/about] [heading]See also [item] [about=Bondage]Bondage[/about] [item] [about=Domination and submission]Domination and submission[/about] [item] [about=Limits]Limits[/about] [item] [about=Sadomasochism]Sadomasochism[/about] [item] [about=:Category:BDSM]BDSM articles[/about] [item] [about=Human sexual behaviour]Human sexual behaviour[/about] [item] [about=Fetish]Fetish[/about] [heading]Documentaries about BDSM [item] "[about=SICK: The Life & Death of Bob Flanagan, Supermasochist]SICK: The Life & Death of Bob Flanagan, Supermasochist[/about]", a documentary about the life of [about=Bob Flanagan]Bob Flanagan[/about] [item] "[about=Fetishes (documentary)]Fetishes[/about]" by Nick Broomfield [item] "[url=http://www.bdsm-alternativeloving.com]BDSM Alternative Loving[/url]" by Open Book Communications [item] "[url=http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0389651/]Kink[/url]" Canadian documentary TV series [heading]References and further reading [item] [about=Pat Califia]Pat Califia[/about]. "Sensuous Magic." New York, Masquerade Books, 1993. ISBN 1-56333-131-4 [item] [about=Gloria G. Brame]Gloria G. Brame[/about], William D. Brame, and [about=Jon Jacobs]Jon Jacobs[/about]. "Different Loving: An Exploration of the World of Sexual Dominance and Submission" Villard Books, New York, 1993. ISBN 0-679-40873-8 [item] Anita Phillips, "A Defence of Masochism", Faber 1999. [item] [about=Jay Wiseman]Jay Wiseman[/about], "SM 101: A Realistic Introduction", [about=Greenery Press]Greenery Press[/about], 2000. ISBN 0963976389. [item] Philip Miller, Molly Devon, "Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns: The Romance and Sexual Sorcery of Sadomasochism", Mystic Rose Books, 1995. ISBN 0964596008. [item] [about=Gloria G. Brame]Gloria G. Brame[/about], "Come Hither : A Commonsense Guide To Kinky Sex", Fireside, 2000. ISBN 0684854627. [item] [about=William A. Henkin]William A. Henkin[/about], Sybil Holiday, "Consensual Sadomasochism : How to Talk About It and How to Do It Safely", [about=Daedalus Publishing]Daedalus[/about], 1996. ISBN 1881943127. [item] 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/ [item] Timeline of events in BDSM history by Datenschlag (in German) http://www.datenschlag.org/dachs/index.html [item]* An extensive BDSM bibliography for the above, at http://www.datenschlag.org/english/bisam/year/index.html [heading]External links [item] [url=http://www.londonfetishscene.com/]London Fetish Scene[/url] [item] [url=http://www.informedconsent.co.uk/]Informed Consent[/url] [item] [url=http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/bdsm/faq/faq-2.html]UK.People.BDSM FAQ[/url] [item] [url=http://bondage.com]BDSM Personals and Community[/url] on Bondage.com [item] [url=http://www.domsubfriends.com/library/bd-v-ab.shtml]BDSM vs. Abuse[/url] [item] Jan Geerinck's [url=http://www.jahsonic.com/SM.html]Comprehensive page on BDSM and sadomasochism[/url] [item] [url=http://www.albany.edu/scj/jcjpc/vol8is2/beckmann.html]Deconstructing myths[/url] by Andrea Beckmann, "Journal of Criminal Justice and Popular Culture", 8(2) (2001) 66-95 [item] [url=http://www.Domsub.info]D/s Lifestyle resources.[/url] [item] [url=http://www.sexuality.org/l/nb/nbres.html]Norman Breslow's "SM Research Report, v1.1"[/url] [item] [url=http://www.sexuality.org/]Society for Human Sexuality[/url] [item] [url=http://www.unrealities.com/adult/ssbb/faq.htm]soc.subculture.bondage-bdsm newsgroup FAQ[/url] [item] [url=http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/bdsm/faq/faq0.6.txt]uk.people.bdsm newsgroup FAQ[/url] [item] [url=http://www.collaredncuffed.com]The Beginners Guide to BDSM[/url] [heading]How other people view us! [item][url=http://www.porn-free.org/BDSM_sadomasochism_bondage.htm]How some Christians view BDSM[/url] (This entry in the BDSM Dictionary incorporates text from the [url=http://www.londonfetishscene.com/wipi/index.php/BDSM]BDSM[/url] article in Wipipedia.)
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