BDSM
The BDSM term is an acronym intended to take in all of the following activities:
B&D (Bondage & Discipline), D&S (Dominance & Submission), and S&M (sadomasochism).
Bondage: Restraining someone by use of ropes, hand cuffs or various other articles.
Discipline: A power exchange where one person punishes another.
Dominance & Submission: D&S is an erotic power game, where one person gets off on the thrill of controlling, the other on the thrill of being controlled.
Sadism: A form of giving intense stimulation(s) (physical or mental) or pain to another.
Masochism: Receiving intense stimulation(s) (physical or mental) or pain.
About BDSM
At first - let's clear up a few misconceptions about both the practitioners and the practices of BDSM : BDSM is not just about getting someone into an inescapable situation and hurting them. People that practice BDSM are not rapists, psychos, or other nasty, monstrous types. BDSM is all about the fulfillment of deep and primal needs. It is an act of love, not violence or anger.There is just something wonderfully sexy about the idea of surrendering or being in control and enacting a fantasy that is "forbidden".
BDSM activities are practiced by people of all sexualities. Many practice their BDSM activities exclusively in private, and do not share their predilections with others. Others socialize with other BDSM practitioners. The BDSM community can be regarded as a subculture within mainstream society. Being involved in BDSM or Dominant/submissive relationships on a regular basis is often referred to as being "in the lifestyle
Tying up your lover is BDSM ; so is flogging that person, or bossing that person around, or any of a thousand other things. BDSM is highly erotic, usually (though not always) involves sex or sexual tension; and is highly psychologically charged. One person (the "submissive") agrees to submit to another person (the "dominant"); or, alternately, one person agrees to receive some sort of sensation, such as spanking, from another.
Most BDSM involves elements of both the physical and the psychological. For example, a punishment may involve both a caning and an emotional involvement between the partners. Similarity, a fight scene or takedown involving over powerment also includes both physical and psychological elements. Although most people explore some aspects of each category in their play, many folks almost solely fall into one category or another. Some people specialize entirely in bondage.
Others bottom only to sensation play (physical interaction with no D&S overtones) but have no desire to submit. Still others only explore domination and submission, and rule out pain play or bondage or whatever does not work for them personally. Some people bottom primarily to pain. The same variety of play styles characterizes tops.
Each of the three terms – B&D, D&S and S&M – traditionally conveys feelings and styles of play that go beyond their denotations. There is a lot of overlap. These terms arose at different times in different circumstances. They get used by many people for many purposes. The terms are not formally delineated; but nevertheless, each offers some insight into both physical and psychological experiences that are widespread. We will cover each in turn below.
For some people, BDSM is a very sexual activity. For others it is not associated with sex or sexual arousal in any obvious way. For some people, BDSM is a full-time (also called lifestyle). For others, it is confined to the bedroom. For yet others it is an activity to engage in once every few months. What BDSM is about is often a very personal experience, something to be worked out and tailored between the partners, something that grows and changes with the individuals and in their relationships.
See also Practices BDSM :
