It’s 2017 and BDSM is a full-out trend.
Since the '80s, the fashion industry has borrowed concepts from BDSM kink culture. That trend continues every time a harness-style crop top is designed. Most recently, Taylor Swift once again borrowed aspects of kink style in a music video by playing the role of a dominatrix.
From the chains and leather of '50s motorcycle culture to Madonna dressed in Gaultier’s fetish gear during the '90s and the Fifty Shades of Grey enterprise, kink culture has been rediscovered by the mainstream over and over again through media, despite taboo that remains.
Throughout time, such symbolism has manifested differently depending on whether people see it as empowering or exploiting the sex lives of all people — especially niche kink communities, women and those who consume popular culture or media.
Kink has transcended the underground phenomenon of the 20th century but only the aesthetic has been embraced by the mainstream.
People often view BDSM as the eroticization of violence because of the leather and chains and that causes a fundamental misunderstanding of kink culture. Doing bondage, domination and submission all involve a lot of trust and communication, making BDSM inherently centered around mutual understanding and pleasure.
According to researchers, the sexual behavior of BDSM can be categorized in three ways. Physical restriction is often achieved through bondage, the administration of pain or sadism can manifest in spanking and humiliation can be verbal or physical, such as the use of gags.
Because it is estimated that about 5 to 10 percent of American adults practice BDSM, there are many misconceptions about kinks that have been perpetuated by movies, music, books and film.
BDSM stands for Bondage and Discipline, Domination and Submission, Sadomasochism in sex but because the practice can be so broad and encompasses fetishes, it is often referred to simply as kink.
Recent archaeological evidence suggests that dominance and submissiveness as sexual practice dates back at least 5,000 years. Ancient Sparta is one of BDSM’s originators because of the popularity ritualistic whippings had. Throughout history, elements of BDSM have been derived around the world from people’s sexualized, sadomasochistic behavior. Sadomasochism is defined as inflicting pain on yourself or someone else in order to achieve pleasure.
Although early forms of BDSM were often not consensual, modern variations are focused on equitability and mutual pleasure. People practicing modern BDSM are often completely aware of what they are doing; consensuality is highly valued in the community because of the fine line between violence and lovemaking in that instance.
The BDSM community emphasizes the importance knowledge of self, emotional maturity and communication have in order for practitioners to healthily and ethically combine sex and sadomasochism.
BDSM generally manifests as role-play scenarios or a daily power dynamic, however, BDSM couples typically balance power within their relationship despite ideas surrounding dominance and submissiveness.
Sarah M. Penix is a sophomore studying journalism with a focus in news and information at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Are you of the 5 to 10 percent? Let Sarah know by tweeting her @sovietkkitsch.
