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BDSM Dictionary : What does S.M mean. : history
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This entry is part of the BDSM Dictionary hosted
by Informed Consent.
What does S.M mean.
S&M is an abbreviation of sadomasochism and
forms a central theme in much of the sexuality associated with the
fetish scene. Sadism
is the sexual pleasure or gratification in the infliction of pain and
suffering upon another person.
Masochism, the sexual pleasure or
gratification of having pain or suffering inflicted upon the self. For a
more detailed explanation of S&M see
sadomasochism.
Sadism is the derivation of sexual pleasure, or gratification, in
the infliction of pain and suffering upon another
person. Psychiatrically, it is considered to be a
paraphilia. Although in wider society sadism
is unacceptable, in the BDSM world it is very common in a formalised and
effectively regulated sense. The word itself is derived from the name
of the Marquis de Sade, a prolific French
writer of sadistic novels.
The obverse of sadism is masochism, sexual pleasure or excitment
or gratification by having pain or suffering inflicted upon the self,
often consisting of sexual fantasies or urges for being beaten,
humiliated, bound, tortured, or otherwise
made to suffer, either as an enhancement to, or a substitute for, sexual
pleasure. The name is derived from the name of the 19th century author
Leopold von Sacher-Masoch,
known for his novel "Venus in Furs" which dealt with highly masochistic
themes.
The words are now commonly used to describe personality traits in an
emotional, rather than sexual sense. Although this is quite different
from the original meaning of both terms, this usage is not entirely
inaccurate. There is quite frequently a strong emotional aspect to the
sexual desires, taking the form of a need for domination or submission; the desire to be
controlled, or to control another, as opposed to a simple desire for
pain (which is known as algolagnia).
It is often claimed that a desire for dominance or submission is in fact
the driving force behind sadomasochism, with the giving and receiving of
pain acting only as an active stimulation to reinforce those feelings.
This view is supported by the nature of sadomasochistic behaviour. A
masochist does not in general take pleasure in any arbitrary form of
pain, only in pain received under the pretext of enforcing authority,
and typically only that in a sexual context. Likewise, a sadist usually
only takes pleasure in pain that is inflicted for reasons of punishment
and control, and most often for the indirect pleasure of the masochist.
Many sadomasochistic activities involve only mild pain or discomfort.
Indeed, they are often focused primarily on roleplay.The biology of S&M
Pain, violence, sex and love all
are associated with the release of a variety of hormones and chemicals
within the human body. Furthermore, humans have been shown to exhibit
sympathetic responses in their bodies while watching, hearing, or
imagining such experiences.
- Levels of the sex hormone testosterone can be temporarily
affected by one's role in S&M interactions. Dominant participants often
have raised testosterone levels; whereas submissive participants often
get depressed testosterone levels.
- Endorphins are released by the body when
experiencing pain, and may be perceived as pleasurable and possibly
addictive.
- Lactic acid is released by muscles during anaerobic stress; the
sensation of muscle ache it occasions can be perceived as pleasurable by
some.
- Brain chemicals such as serotonin and melatonin also seem to be
affected by emotional or stressful experiences.
The effects of S&M on body chemistry seems likely to reinforces the
behavior and therefore creates psychological states that seek further
such behavior.The psychology of S&M
The terms sadism and masochism were first consistently used to describe
these behaviors by the German psychiatrist Richard Freiherr von
Krafft-Ebing in his 1886 book "Psychopathia Sexualis", a famous study of
sexual perversity. Sigmund Freud, a psychoanalyst and a contemporary of
Krafft-Ebing, noted that both were often found in the same individuals,
and combined the two into a single dichotomous entity known as
sadomasochism (often abbreviated as S&M or S/M).
This observation is commonly seen to be apt in both literature and
practice; many sadists and masochists define themselves as
"switchable"; capable of taking pleasure in either
role.
Both Krafft-Ebing and Freud assumed that sadism in men resulted from the
distortion of the aggressive component of the male sexual instinct.
Masochism in men, however, was seen as a more significant aberration,
contrary to the nature of male sexuality. Freud doubted that masochism
in men was ever a primary tendency, and speculated that it may exist
only as a transformation of sadism. Sadomasochism in women received
comparatively little discussion, as it was believed that it occurred
primarily in men. Both also assumed that masochism was so inherent to
female sexuality that it would be difficult to distinguish as a separate
inclination.
Havelock Ellis, in "Studies in the Psychology of Sex", argued that there
is no clear distinction between the aspects of sadism and masochism, and
that they may be regarded as complementary emotional states. He also
made the important point that sadomasochism is concerned only with pain
in regards to sexual pleasure, and not in regards to cruelty, as Freud
had suggested. In other words, the sadomasochist generally desires that
the pain be inflicted or received in love, not in abuse, for the
pleasure of either one or both participants. This mutual pleasure may
even be essential for the satisfaction of those involved.
And so Ellis touched upon the often paradoxical nature of consensual
S&M. It is not only pain to initiate pleasure, but violence, or the
simulation of violence, to express love. This contradictory character is
perhaps most evident in the observation by some that not only are
sadomasochistic activities usually done for the benefit of the
masochist, but that it is often the masochist who controls them, through
subtle emotional cues received by the sadist.
Many theorists, particularly feminist theories, have suggested that
sadomasochism is an inherent part of our culture. According to their
theories, sex and relationships are both consistently taught to be
formulated within a framework of male dominance and female submission.
Some of them further link this hypothesized framework to inequalities
among gender, class, and race which remain a substantial part of
society, despite the efforts of the civil rights movement and
feminism. However, the degree to which any of
these influences actually affect sexuality -- either consciously or
unconsciously -- is unknown, and the validity of this theory of
socially-conditioned female masochism is questionable.
There are a number of reasons commonly given for why a sadomasochist
finds the practice of S&M enjoyable, and the answer is largely dependent
on the individual. For some, taking on a role of compliance or
helplessness offers a form of therapeutic escape; from the stresses of
life, from responsibility, or from guilt. For others, being under the
power of a strong, controlling presence may evoke the feelings of safety
and protection associated with childhood. They likewise may derive
satisfaction from pleasing, or earning the approval of, that figure
"(see: Servitude)". A sadist, on the other
hand, may enjoy the feeling of power and authority that comes from
playing the dominant role, or receive pleasure vicariously through the
suffering of the masochist. It is poorly understood, though, what
ultimately connects these emotional experiences to sexual gratification,
or how that connection initially forms.
It is usually agreed on by psychologists that experiences during early
sexual development can have a profound effect on the character of
sexuality later in life. Sadomasochistic desires, however, seem to form
at a variety of ages. Some individuals report having had them before
puberty, while others do not discover them until well into adulthood.
According to one study, the majority of male sadomasochists (53%)
developed their interest before the age of 15, while the majority of
females (78%) developed their interest afterwards (Breslow, Evans, and
Langley 1985). Like sexual fetishes, sadomasochism
can be learned through conditioning, in this context, the repeated
association of sexual pleasure with an object or stimulus.Sadism and masochism in real life
The term BDSM has been created to describe the quite
common activities between consenting adults that contain sadistic and
masochistic elements. Many behaviors such as erotic spanking and love-bites
that many people think of only as "rough" sex probably also contain
elements of sado-masochism.
In certain extreme cases, sadism and masochism can include fantasies,
sexual urges or behaviour that cause significant distress or impairment
in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning, to the
point that they can be considered aspects of a mental disorder.
However, this is an uncommon case, and psychiatrists are now moving
towards regarding sadism and masochism not as disorders in and of
themselves, but only as disorders when associated with other problems
such as a personality disorder.Sadism as a motivation for crime
A small minority of disordered individuals commit crimes with a strong
sadistic element. This is generally considered to be caused by
personality disorders. Recently, there have been theories that many of
these personality disorders have been caused by brain damage.Sadism and masochism in fiction
In general, the depiction of sadism and masochism in fiction tends to be portrayed
from the viewpoint of masochistic fantasy.
De Sade's own works are, by and large, equal opportunity S&M, generally
in the context of a commentary on morality or the nature of human desire
social constraint, anti-clericalism, and existential freedom.
Leopold von Sacher-Masoch's novel "Venus in
Furs" is essentially one long masochistic fantasy, where the
male principal character encourages his mistress to mistreat him.
The novel (and later movie) "9 1/2 Weeks" is the story of a BDSM
relationship between a man and a woman over a summer.
"Story of O" is another classic masochistic
novel, written by a woman, Pauline Réage.
In this novel, the female principal character is treated sadistically by
her lover, and then, in an out of a chateau run by an S/M organization,
by a group of men.
The novelist Anne Rice, best known for
"Interview with the Vampire",
wrote the sadomasochistic trilogy
"The Claiming of Sleeping
Beauty", and the BDSM book, Exit to Eden, under the pseudonym of
A. N. Roquelaure.
The 2001 movie "La Pianiste" (released with
subtitles as "The Piano Teacher") describes a relationship between a
repressed piano teacher and her pupil, which ends unhappily when she
reveals her extreme masochistic desires to him, which brings the
relationship to an end, but not before he has made a disgusted attempt
to enact his conception of her masochistic fantasies.
A 2002 movie, "Secretary", directed by Steven
Shainberg, explores the relationship between a masochistic secretary,
and her dominant, sadistic employer.
As of 2003, sadomasochistic themes are now common in mainstream
erotic fiction.References
- Breslow N, Evans L, Langley J. On the prevalence and roles of
females in the sadomasochistic subculture: Report of an empirical study.
"Archives of Sexual Behavior" 1985;(14):303-17.
- Anita Phillips. "A Defense of Masochism", ISBN 0312192584
See also
External links
- The Eulenspiegel Society, founded in
New York City in 1971 is the oldest explicit SM support group in the US.
- The Society of Janus, founded in San
Francisco, California in 1974 is the second oldest SM support group in
the US.
(This entry in the BDSM Dictionary incorporates text from the
What
does S.M mean. article in Wipipedia.)
This entry is published under the terms of the
GFDL. People with profiles on
Informed Consent can improve
this entry: see the BDSM Dictionary
help page for details.
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