Is 24/7 D/s actually slavery? (12)

From an entirely personal perspective, I have to say, for me, no. Altheus and I live together and certainly exist within the 24/7 D/s lifestyle.

He is the head of the household. I obey him. However, it is my choice to do so. I have a safe word which I can use not only in play, but in the decision process of the house. Saying that, I hadn't used the safeword in either context for a number of years - but it still exists. We live for the mutual pursuit of pleasure that reflects our different needs.

We have a 'fetish' traditional marriage. Of course, I'm sure Rad Fems would argue that all marriage is slavery.

There is a place between D/s and M/s which I feel I inhabit - lets call it The Flaire Zone. There are aspects of both camps in my lifestyle because I have freedom of choice yet my obedience is entirely encompassing.

f x

Cookie Monster In Bondage!
Any posts made between the hours of 2am and 6am are the product of a drink-addled, sleep-deprived mind and hence don't count. Thank you.

However, i do feel that there are some distinct differences between slavery and submission and where i always get to is the element of choice.

i think that a slave submits only once...when "agreeing" to enslavement; that being the last choice that can be made until release by the Owner.

A submissive retains choice i believe and consciously submits again and again, renegotiating boundaries.

i THINK, and this is merely my opinion, that in a D/s relationship it is the relationship itself that is in constant flux, whereas in a M/s relationship, the only flux is the individuals' personality dynamics...i.e. the natural changes we go through as time goes by.

Both types of relationship require work and care, an unhappy slave is no good to anyone, but within D/s the Owner works with the submissive, although always in control. In M/s, the Owner needs to care for, but not consult, the slave.

Whew, long-winded and just my opinions...hope they make some sense!

Have you ever looked fear in the face and said i just don't care? It's only half past the point of no return...the Thunder before the lightning, the breath before the phrase (Pink)

"Slavery is a form of forced labor in which people are considered to be, or treated as, the property of others. Slaves are held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and are deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to receive compensation (such as wages)"

It would therfore seem to me that to encompass the true definition of the word the following criteria would have to be met.

1. Forced labour without reward

2. To become the legal property of another person or persons, (I expect this could be with or without consent)

3. To be held captive

Sounds great to me........anyone up for it ???

This sums it up for me entirely.

And yet, I still feel "owned", I am his do to as he pleases with. I have a safe word, but would hate to use it. I am still building trust, and until that is absolute, I doubt I could ever be his slave, and yet I am his completely and utterly. The more I think about it, the more confused I get - I suppose I just never saw myself as "slave material", Daddy is proving this is an option for me though.

I love the dynamic we have, does being "his lil one" preclude me from being his slave? I would hate to give up this dynamic, yet there are times when nothing would make me happier than to give up everything and be there for him 24/7, to serve him in each and every way. Although if I am honest, I would probably only last a week!!!

The question on the boards has really messed with my head, about selling slaves. I doubt I could ever allow this, which makes me think maybe I could never be a slave. I can see myself eventually doing ANYTHING to serve him, but for me slavery in this context is about choosing your master. And that's something I could never give up control of...

XxX

I am both leashed cougar and gal rosa's Daddy as well as being their Master - I see no contradiction in that.

Though I've heard of selling slaves in the US I've never come across it in the UK

^Thunder^
Owner of my "2 subs in a cubicle" gal rosa and leashed cougar
The Slave Forum

So an Owner would have to dehumanise the slave to attain "pure" slavery...and then, the slave object COULD arguably be sold, passed on, truly owned...

i think this is possibly why the concept of slavery freaks some out, because this would be taking it to its extreme...and i guess *most* of us would rather be treated as individual human beings...at least some of the time!

Have you ever looked fear in the face and said i just don't care? It's only half past the point of no return...the Thunder before the lightning, the breath before the phrase (Pink)

(Forgive the paraphrasing, and if I ever learn to do a cool linky type thing, I will do, but until then reading his words really helped clear it up in my head).

Jules XxX

Very similar to where I am. Thunder and I have been discussing it this afternoon - and beyond a certain point it really doesn't matter what label you put on it as that is just words. I feel owned, I feel that I cannot leave him, I am proud to belong to him, my primary motivation is to please him. I feel a sense of peace in knowing my place - last week when I was having a stressful couple of days he came over one evening, and thanks to half an hour sitting at his feet I felt so much better..........

I never expected this, I really didn't. When I met him almost a year ago I considered myself more a masochistic bottom than anything else, and sometimes the depth of my submission, how much it means to me, scares the living daylights out of me!!!

"That hurts......please don't stop!"

To answer the question no I do not think it is slavery, because if I compare to the traditional definition I would like to think people are not held against their will, but have entered a form of contract voluntarily, whether written or enforced via repetitive behaviour, which is frequently invoked in contract law.

I may have my membership revoked when I say this, but I do not consider myself a slave for the reasons clearly outlined above. I consider myself submissive as the retention of choice is important to me though never having been in a full D/s relationship I am not sure how much choice I would truly be allowed to retain. I tried to mould a previous relationship in this way but failed miserably.

For these reasons I do not think I can ever be 'owned' as a slave as I need independence. If I am ever owned I can say now the Lady will have to be very special indeed but for now submission is where my interests lie.

M

Space travels in my blood. And there ain't nothing I can do about it.
Now I know I'm being used but that's okay cause I like the abuse.
I can resist everything except temptation.
It's always funny until someone gets hurt and then it's just hilarious.
Cake or Death?

Hi M! Just wanted to clarify that absolutely no-one will "have their membership revoked" for expressing their opinions. In fact, this would all get yawningly boring very quickly if we all felt exactly the same!

The only reason anyone would be removed from the network on here would be if they were personally attacking someone, as this is envisaged as a space where we can be open about our thoughts, however bizarre they may seem to others. Respect being the key, which you always seem to display x