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This is the version from 28 Jul 06, 8:49 AM. The full history of this entry will show any more recent versions.

ICcode for "Dominance"

[b]Dominance[/b], or [b]domination[/b], is that state which exists when a person or group has power over another.  It is the condition or fact of being dominant; 
the act of exercising controlling power; 
using or assuming authority.

Social "Dominance hierarchies" are found in many animals species and in humans.  In general terms, [b]dominance[/b] is having high social status relative to other individuals. Most non-dominants act  submissively to dominant individuals. Humans, being more flexible, 

In individual terms, domination is taking control of a person or situation by any of several means: physical, mental, financial, etc.

Personal dominance is largely about controlling the environment.  When that environment includes a partner, a healthy result is a [about=D/s]D/s[/about] relationship, but that requires that the other partner is [about=submissive]submissive[/about] and [about=Informed consent]consents[/about] to the domination.

In [about=BDSM]BDSM[/about] dominance relationships, the power (or right to make decisions and to give orders) is consensual.  The relationship is a mutual one with parties participating in their role, not in the other's. Dominance by coercion or force, without the consent of the people being dominated, is normally called oppression or abuse and is not part of [about=BDSM]BDSM[/about].

A person who exercises personal power over another in a relationship, or on a regular basis, outside of BDSM [about=scene]scene[/about]s, is called a [about=Dominant]Dominant[/about] (also, [about=Dom]Dom[/about] for a man, [about=Domme]Domme[/about] or [about=Dominatrix]Dominatrix[/about] for a woman).

The opposite of [b]dominance[/b] is [about=submissiveness]submissiveness[/about].


[heading]See Also


[item] [about=Dominant]Dominant[/about]

[item] [about=Domination and submission]Domination and submission[/about] (D/s)

[item] [about=Male domination]Male domination[/about]

[item] [about=Female domination]Female domination[/about]



(This entry in the BDSM Dictionary incorporates text from the [url=http://www.londonfetishscene.com/wipi/index.php/Dominance]Dominance[/url] article in Wipipedia.)

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