Social Stereotypes

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BDSM is viewed as not only a sexual practice but occasionally a way of life as well. Some people practice BDSM occasionally, and for some people it is their lifestyle and an identity that they encompass 24-7. BDSM also does not always have to include sexual contact, but for most that is not the case. There are three roles that one can take on when they chose to practice BDSM, the dominant, the submissive, or switcher. The dominant is considered the person who is taking control throughout the role playing, the submissive is the the person taking on the obedient role, and a switcher is someone who will go from dominant to submissive, and who enjoys taking on both roles. BDSM contains an array of of roles and practices that are different for …show more content…

Andreas Wismeijer, and Marcel A.L.M. van Assen have stated, “The lack of understanding of BDSM has lead to many misconceptions as well as fear which may further alienate those who are active in the lifestyle”. The sexual practice itself is viewed a certain way but also the people who practice BDSM, come with a certain assumption that is usually not correct. The main stereotype that has been researched and questioned more recently then ever is that, a persons role during the act is always the same as their personality outside of the act. It is believed by many that a dominant is always dominant and a submissive is always submissive. Another stereotype that has been often looked over is that people who practice BDSM have had either some abuse happen to them …show more content…

They stated “The qualitative study was intended to give BDSM practitioners a voice in this exploration” (Herbert and Weaver, 50). The participants were found on REDDIt or by word of mouth and then was interviewed over Skype or a phone conversation. They interviewed 9 dominants and 12 submissive’s and asked them about their personality traits, and what makes them “well suited” for their role of either dominant or submissive. When the dominants were asked about their personality traits they described them selves as “empathetic, nurturing, desiring, able to take control, attentive, and responsible” (Herbert and Weaver, 52). The same was asked for the named submissive and they said they were “willing to give up control due to the lack of ability or desire to make their own decisions, and having a desire to please” (Herbert and Weaver, 52). Throughout the study they found that the characteristics of both the dominant and submissive either changed when they turned on their role or it was a very similar characteristics to the ones that they have throughout their day to day routine. A female submissive stated “Usually I am a very competitive person, I dislike orders from anyone….It’s a break from your real world.”( Herbert and Weaver,

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