Difference between revisions of "D/s"

Revision as of 05:17, 1 April 2014

D/s, or Dominance and Submission, is a set of behaviors, customs and rituals involving the giving by one individual to another individual of control over them in a BDSM erotic episode or lifestyle relationship.

Parameters

Physical contact is not a necessity for D/s to exist, and it can even be conducted anonymously over the telephone, email, or other messaging systems in a practice called cyber domination. In other cases, it can be intensely physical, sometimes traversing into SM, though not necessarily.

In D/s, both parties take pleasure or erotic enjoyment from either dominating or being dominated. Those who take the superior position are called d-types or dominants, while those who take the subordinate position are called s-types or submissives. A switch is an individual who plays in either role of power exchange. Two switches together may negotiate and exchange roles several times in a session.

Dominance and submission, and the inner conflict and surrender connected with these are enduring themes in human culture and civilization. In human sexuality this has broadened to include mutual exploration of roles, emotions and activities which would be difficult or impossible to do without a willing partner taking an opposing role. These roles are not exclusive to sex, gender, status, sexual orientation or other discriminatory characteristics.

While participants are not discriminated when choosing a role for themselves, having a firm and informed understanding of consent, negotiations, and disciplines that are to be used during play is strongly recommended.

Specifics of D/s relationship styles and protocols, and even linguistic conventions will vary widely between practitioners.