BDSM and the Complexity of Consent: Navigating Inclusion and Exclusion
Consent is a foundational component of BDSM (Bondage/Discipline, Dominance/Submission, Sadism/Masochism). It distinguishes non-normative, consensual practices from instances of abuse and exploitation. Its centrality within BDSM, however, underscores the complexity of consent as a constitutive mechan...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Sexes |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5118/6/1/4 |
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| Summary: | Consent is a foundational component of BDSM (Bondage/Discipline, Dominance/Submission, Sadism/Masochism). It distinguishes non-normative, consensual practices from instances of abuse and exploitation. Its centrality within BDSM, however, underscores the complexity of consent as a constitutive mechanism that facilitates varied intersubjective engagements, from continuous negotiation and aftercare to the use of safe words. The ontological basis of consent within BDSM relies on a model of subjective autonomy wherein individuals actively shape their desires and boundaries within a consensual framework. This paper argues that a significant motivation for many BDSM practitioners lies in the desire to subvert autonomy by engaging in acts that challenge traditional consent boundaries. However, reliance on a purely liberal interpretation of consent often marginalizes such subversive expressions, thereby pushing certain BDSM practices and individuals toward pathological or criminal categorization. Here, I propose an ethical framework grounded in a liberal consent model, which is open to the inclusion of these marginalized practices, thus, fostering a more inclusive understanding of BDSM subjectivity. |
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| ISSN: | 2411-5118 |