Sadomasochism

= **__Sadomasochism__**  =

====Sadomasochism is the practice of receiving sexual pleasure from either, inflicting pain onto others, or receiving pain or humiliation. Bondage, domination, sadism, and masochism, also known as BDSM, is an area that sadomasochism stems from. The acronym, S&M, is most widely used when referring to sadomasochism. The name, sadomasochism, comes from the two original authors on the subject, Marquis de Sade, and Leopold von Sacher-Masoch.==== ====The terms sadist, the person who enjoys inflicting the pain, and masochist, the person who enjoys receiving the pain and humiliation, are two separate roles in the practice of sadomasochism, but most people who engage in the activity describe themselves as a switch. Someone who practices sadomasochism and is a switch is, described as being able to obtain pleasure from both giving and receiving pain. Sadomasochism is widely practiced although, not highly spoken about in great length in the public light. “Charles Moser (1988) estimates that approximately 10 percent of the adult population are SM practitioners.” (Erhamm, 2005). Most people who practice S&M are healthy, highly functioning, mentally stable members of society. Several studies show that sadomasochism is more common than what statistics show, because of the less intense sadistic and masochist behaviors, such as; spanking, role playing, biting, using physical restraints, and scratching, that are disregarded when conducting studies. “Although sadomasochism is enjoyed by both males and females, the predominant enjoyers of this practice are homosexual males” (Erhmann, 2005). These homosexual men who participate in S&M are also very active in practicing various other types of sexual behavior. Some other people who are a large portion of the S&M practicing population are individuals in jobs that required full attention and are very demanding. "Masochists seem to be drawn largely from the privileged classes. They are above average in [|education] and income.” (Psychology Today, 1995). These individuals practice S&M for relief from their everyday jobs, and use S&M to fulfill fantasies of inflicting humiliation and pain or receiving pain. “Sadomasochist (SM) clubs are probably the most prevalent type of fetish clubs in the U.S.A. today, although very few of the members could be defined as having a true SM fetish or paraphilia” (Ehrmann, 2005). There are many ways to find people who enjoy practicing S&M, but sexual fetish clubs is the primary method.====
 * What is Sadomasochism?**
 * Who Practices Sadomasochism?**

====Many people confuse sadomasochism with sexual assault or sexual violence and this is not what the sexual acts define at all. “Everyone we interviewed who sells sadomasochism insisted that, before having sex, they have a long talk with the potential client to determine his or her specific requests. There are also clubs where individuals meet to act out sadomasochistic scenarios” (Erhmann, 2005).==== ====People who practice S&M have a primary focus on being safe, and setting boundaries between partners so that there will be no misunderstanding in what is desired and what the goal of the sexual act is. The primary areas that are addressed when negotiating a sexual encounter having to deal with S&M are: communicating about what each person’s wants and needs are, consent from each person about what the rules and boundaries are, safety precautions, and trust from each partner. There are focus groups set up within the S&M community specifically set up for specific types of behavior, such as groups geared only toward receiving sexual satisfaction in through the use of biting. Communicating these sadomasochist desires usually start off the same way any other commonality between people start, and then grow into what each person desires sexually.====
 * Is Sadomasochism Consensual?**

====Each sexual act carried out that is of the sadomasochist nature by consensual partners is not intended to be sexual assault, however, there are instances in which one or both partners are physically or mentally harmed. If the sadist or masochist behaviors are interfering with everyday life and hindering normal human interaction, then the sadist or masochist are usually clinically diagnosed with a mental disorder. Some other consequences that may stem from sadomasochist behavior are legal issues that may arise if one or both parties are physically injured. In most cases where one person sustained significant physical injuries, consent is not a liable excuse for the physical damage inflicted.====
 * Consequences of Sadomasochism**

media type="youtube" key="KdS6HFQ_LUc" height="390" width="640" ====S&M has recently become less taboo as people are starting to realize that sadist and masochist sex practices are more common than previously thought. Sexuality is also becoming an increasingly large part of the entertainment industry, and sadomasochism has been highlighted several times. A recent song by an international Pop star, Rihanna, entitled “S&M”, is a very good indicator of how more people are becoming aware of exactly what S&M actually means. The video, available on YouTube, has over twenty-one million views, and other popular media is quickly becoming available on the subject.====
 * Sadomasochism and Mainstream Media**

=
[] “ An Inside Look at S&M” Kinky sex: inside S&M, Psychology Today, published on November 01, 1995. =====

=
[] “Psychology: Characteristics of people who practice sadomasochism”, June 22, 2007. =====

=
[] “Sadomasochism in Everyday Relationships” =====

=
Push and Pull: The Sadomasochistic Relationship Style, Michael J. Formica, June 13, 2008 =====