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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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| author | Ofer Parchev |
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| author_sort | Ofer Parchev |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8480f892e93e4f9bb01cffefb18be991 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2411-5118 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sexes |
| spelling | doaj-art-8480f892e93e4f9bb01cffefb18be9912025-08-20T02:43:03ZengMDPI AGSexes2411-51182025-01-0161410.3390/sexes6010004BDSM and the Complexity of Consent: Navigating Inclusion and ExclusionOfer Parchev0Multidisciplinary Department, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, IsraelConsent 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5118/6/1/4BDSMconsentautonomyneoliberalismconsent non-consensually |
| spellingShingle | Ofer Parchev BDSM and the Complexity of Consent: Navigating Inclusion and Exclusion Sexes BDSM consent autonomy neoliberalism consent non-consensually |
| title | BDSM and the Complexity of Consent: Navigating Inclusion and Exclusion |
| title_full | BDSM and the Complexity of Consent: Navigating Inclusion and Exclusion |
| title_fullStr | BDSM and the Complexity of Consent: Navigating Inclusion and Exclusion |
| title_full_unstemmed | BDSM and the Complexity of Consent: Navigating Inclusion and Exclusion |
| title_short | BDSM and the Complexity of Consent: Navigating Inclusion and Exclusion |
| title_sort | bdsm and the complexity of consent navigating inclusion and exclusion |
| topic | BDSM consent autonomy neoliberalism consent non-consensually |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5118/6/1/4 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT oferparchev bdsmandthecomplexityofconsentnavigatinginclusionandexclusion |