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This entry is part of the BDSM Dictionary hosted by Informed Consent.

This is the version from 16 Mar 05, 9:32 PM. The full history of this entry will show any more recent versions.

ICcode for "Power exchange"

In [about=BDSM]BDSM[/about], the term [b]Power Exchange[/b] is associated with a submissive exchanging his/her authority to make decisions (whether just for a [about=scene]scene[/about], or for his/her entire life), for the Dominant's agreement to take responsibility for his/her happiness and health. 

On a psychological level, much [about=BDSM]BDSM[/about] "play" involves power and [about=dominance]dominance[/about], in particular [b]power exchange[/b], with one person willingly handing over personal autonomy. This can range from addressing another person as "Master" or "Mistress" for a ten-minute scene, to a witnessed, formal collaring with a lifelong agreement which micro-manages the submissive's life.

The latter is often referred to as [about=TPE]TPE[/about] or [b]Total Power Exchange[/b] or "24/7" or "24/7/365".

In "[about=safe, sane and consensual]safe, sane and consensual[/about]" BDSM, power exchange is always negotiated. Before play, the participants would discuss their physical and psychological limitations, establish [about=safeword]safeword[/about]s and work out what will happen. 

A [about=submissive (BDSM)]submissive[/about] is a person who submits or potentially submits to another. Within a BDSM-only context, submissive is synonymous with [about=bottom (BDSM)]bottom[/about]. Submissives can vary in how serious they take their position, training, and situation. Reasons for this 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.

A [about=Dominant (BDSM)]dominant[/about] is a person who exercises the power to take control of a person or situation through usage of some means (such as physical, mental, financial, etc.) on a regular basis; the gender specific titles being dom for a man, domme or [about=dominatrix]dominatrix[/about] for a woman. Reasons for this include demonstrating skill and power, having ownership of another person, being the object of affection and devotion.

In most power exchange as referred to in a BDSM scene, there are limitations on the power the dominant has over the submissive, such as [about=safeword]safeword[/about]s, time limits and/or explicitly negotiated understandings of what is allowed.



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

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