Fundamentals
A subject is chained to the wall in bondage
BDSM activities and relationships differ from conventional relationships in that they are based on the concept of partners taking on unequal but complimentary roles, whether these roles are physical, social, or within the context of a long-term relationship. This idea exists in marked contrast with the current Western ideal of interpersonal relationships being based on a partnership between equals. Beyond this basic tenant of purposefully unequal roles or functions within a relationship, there is almost nothing which universally unites all the disparate sub-cultures which are grouped under the umbrella term
BDSM typically involves one partner voluntarily giving up control. The submissive partner gives control to the dominant partner in a ritualized interaction known as power exchange. The dominant partner is referred to as the "Dom", "Domme", "Dominant", "Top" "Master" or "Mistress" and the submissive partner is called "sub", "thrall", "submissive", "bottom" or "slave". In accordance with the commonly-used nomenclature in issue-related discussions among the practitioners, this article will use the terms Top and bottom to describe the particular role-playing partner.
BDSM actions often take place during a specific period of time agreed to by both parties, referred to as "play," "a scene" or "a session." All parties involved usually derive pleasure from this, even though many of the practices that are performed, such as inflicting pain, humiliation or being restrained would be considered unpleasant under normal circumstances. Sexual intercourse, be it oral, anal or vaginal, may occur within a session, but is not essential. The fundamental principles for the exercise of BDSM require that it should be performed by mature and responsible partners, of their own volition, and in a safe way. Since the 1980s these basic principles have been condensed into the motto "Safe, sane and consensual", abbreviated as SSC, which means that everything is based on safe, sane and consenting behaviour of all involved parties. This mutual consent makes a clear legal and ethical distinction between BDSM and crimes such as sexual assault or domestic violence.
Some BDSM practitioners prefer a code of behaviour that differs from "SSC" and
described as "Risk Aware Consensual Kink" (RACK), indicating a preference of a style in which the individual responsibility of the involved parties is emphasized more strongly, with each participant being responsible for his or her own well-being. RACK focuses primarily upon awareness and informed consent, rather than accepted safe practices Consent is the most important criterion here. The consent and compliance for a sadomasochistic situation can be granted only by people who are able to judge the potential results. For their consent, they must have all relevant information at hand and the necessary mental capacity to judge. The resulting consent and understanding is often summarized in a "contract", an agreement of what can and cannot take place.
In general, it must be possible for the consenting partner to withdraw his or her consent at any given time; for example, by using a safeword that was agreed on in advance. Failure to honour a safeword is considered the most serious misconduct that can take place in BDSM and can even change the sexual consent situation into a crime, depending on the relevant law,[10] since the bottom has explicitly revoked his or her consent to any actions which follow the use of the safeword (see Legal status). |
