Many people stand behind BDSM (bondage and dominance, discipline and submission, and sadism and masochism) as a healthy expression of sexual feelings and desires. According to a study done by Andreas Wismeijer titled “Psychological Characteristics of BDSM Practitioners” those who partake in BDSM activities did not show any negative psychological characteristics. They were found to be on the same level as those who participate in “vanilla”, more mainstream, sexual activities, and the only deviations showed that the BDSM group was more psychologically sound than the vanilla group. Of the 902 participants, 468 were classified as BSDM users. Wismeijer found that BDSM people tend to be more extroverted, more open to new things, and much less neurotic. He also found the BDSMers scored lower on test that concerned social anxiety and fear of social rejection and fear of others disliking them. BDSMers also reported higher rates of successful relationships either current or past. Of the breakdowns of the BDSMers, those who reported being the dominant partners showed the best scores overall. Those who reported being submissive or a “switcher” still scored better than the vanilla control group.  Wismeijer concluded that there was no real tell as to why BDSMers had a better overall outcome, but he attributed it to the fact that they may have better release because they are more confident in their sexual needs and desires. Wismeijer also stated in an interview with Live Science that he thought that his findings showed that BDSM may not need to be included in the DSM under sadomasochism. Because his findings show that BDSMers tend to be more psychologically sound than others, there should be no reason to include them in a manual of mental disorders.

The other side of this controversy bases it’s arguments solely on the notion that BSDM promotes relationships with abuse and violence, especially toward women. Recently, the novel “Fifty Shades of Grey” has brought light to the BDSM lifestyle as well as sparking intense debates on whether or not the book romanticizes relationships with violence and abuse. Many critics of this book link the character of Christen Grey’s fascination with and use of BDSM to his alleged child hood abuse. (Disclaimer: I have never read this book, nor seen this movie, so I cannot attest to whether or not this is true of the story.) In an article written for Forbes online medium, Kathryn Casey discusses the novel and the story line. She, as well as many other, attribute Grey’s fantasies and activities to the alleged child abuse. Many people hold that the practice of BDSM is akin to other manifestations of childhood trauma in adult life (i.e. cigarette smoking due to an oral fixation). Another critique of this story comes from the fact that it puts fairy-tale like dreams in the readers head. The female protagonist is able to change Grey throughout the trilogy, but does this by enduring pain and suffering throughout their relationship. Casey, along with other critics, understand that this is just fantasy, but hold strong to the notion that there is a fine line between erotic and dangerous.

The even less scientific arguments come from the religious realm. While there is no explicit line in the Bible that condemns BDSM specifically, there are multiple passages that argue against hurting others for your own pleasure, sexual or otherwise. According to GotQuestions online forum, the “marriage bed” is sacred and should not have anything performed in it that is not entirely consensual.

Personally, I don’t really see why BDSM wouldn’t be a healthy sexual expression. According to everything that has been published, the only real critique stems from the notion that it could be portrayed as abuse. Abuse is something that is not consented to by both parties, and even in cases where there is denial on one side, it is obvious that there is missing consent. The research done by Wismeijer obviously shows that people who are getting that intense of an outlet have better physiological standings than those who partake in “vanilla” sex. I have never been a fan of BDSM and do not think that I would be incredibly inclined to partake in it, but I do see how that could heighten a sexual experience. It was unsettling to me to see that there was very little information about the negative side to this debate that didn’t have to do with 50 shades. I was hoping to find some real information that wasn’t religious based and had some scientific information behind it.

References:

http://www.andreaswismeijer.nl/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/BDSM_JSM_Wismeijer_van-Assen.pdf

http://www.livescience.com/34832-bdsm-healthy-psychology.html

http://www.forbes.com/sites/crime/2012/06/23/is-fifty-shades-of-grey-dangerous/

http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-BDSM.html