By Michal Goderez, Contributor, Emerson College
Ever since the book Fifty Shades of Grey hit the top of the best seller list, it's generated a lot more open discussion about BDSM and kink, but the way BDSM is portrayed in the book and most popular media is unrealistic and often harmful. I don't need to have read the book to look at the plot and see that the relationship of the two main characters is pretty much the worst example of how a Dominant/submissive relationship actually works, and this has sparked a lot of protest from BDSM advocates. The truth is, a lot of the negative perceptions and stereotypes regarding BDSM stem from a lack of knowledge of the subject.
For those who don't know, there are three parts to the acronym "BDSM." Bondage/discipline means the use of ropes, handcuffs, and restraints, and the practice of using "punishment" to enforce rules and behavior. Dominance/submission refers to the simple act of having one partner behave submissively, using titles, roles, and actions, and in and of itself does not imply any acts of pain, bondage, toys, or other related fetishes. The third piece is sadism /masochism, or sadomasochism (S&M). A sadist is someone who gets pleasure from inflicting pain or seeing the pain of others, and a masochist is someone who gets pleasure from experiencing pain.
Read More Here
Ever since the book Fifty Shades of Grey hit the top of the best seller list, it's generated a lot more open discussion about BDSM and kink, but the way BDSM is portrayed in the book and most popular media is unrealistic and often harmful. I don't need to have read the book to look at the plot and see that the relationship of the two main characters is pretty much the worst example of how a Dominant/submissive relationship actually works, and this has sparked a lot of protest from BDSM advocates. The truth is, a lot of the negative perceptions and stereotypes regarding BDSM stem from a lack of knowledge of the subject.
For those who don't know, there are three parts to the acronym "BDSM." Bondage/discipline means the use of ropes, handcuffs, and restraints, and the practice of using "punishment" to enforce rules and behavior. Dominance/submission refers to the simple act of having one partner behave submissively, using titles, roles, and actions, and in and of itself does not imply any acts of pain, bondage, toys, or other related fetishes. The third piece is sadism /masochism, or sadomasochism (S&M). A sadist is someone who gets pleasure from inflicting pain or seeing the pain of others, and a masochist is someone who gets pleasure from experiencing pain.
Read More Here