Bondage and Discipline

The terms bondage and discipline are the first two components of the well-known acronym BDSM, which refers to bondage, discipline, sadism, and masochism. Although bondage and discipline are often associated with sadism and masochism, BDSM is not an all-encompassing concept. However, most scholarly research has synthesized these four concepts into one overarching concept of BDSM. Bondage is the act of an individual(s) in control of another willing individual(s) by physically restraining him or her through the use of a restraint device(s) for the mental pleasure of all participants. The individual taking control is referred to as the dominant, and the recipient is referred to as the subordinate. Discipline is the act of a dominant inflicting pain on a subordinate for the primary purpose of mental enjoyment for both participants. These demonstrations are constructed and enacted through the use of “scenes,” referring to specific sessions of bondage and discipline. One of the common stereotypes associated with bondage and discipline is that it is sexualized in nature; however, the primary purpose is mental enjoyment, with the sexual component coming second—if at all. Both bondage and discipline typically accompany one another in a reciprocal relationship among the participants.

The practice of bondage and discipline operating as an organized—somewhat public—activity emerged following the conclusion of World War II. This activity was attached to the motorcycle and leather scene that first appeared in the 1950s and grew stronger in the 1960s. This activity soon became attached to the homosexual identity and grew in strength during the 1960s and 1970s. Although there were multiple organized segments of BDSM enthusiasts throughout the United States—predominantly in large metropolitan areas—the HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome) epidemic in the 1980s served as a uniting force among these segmented groups, leading to the eventual formation of several national groups (i.e., Eulenspiegel Society and National Coalition for Sexual Freedom). As a result, bondage and discipline became a more publicly known activity than it had been in the decades prior to the early 1990s.

The activities of bondage and discipline are what allow sadomasochists and masochists to express and/or receive their desired actions/results. Bondage can take on several primary forms. The most prominent form involves using a restraint device—typically made of rope, leather, or handcuffs—to control the subordinate from moving his or her hands, feet, or entire body. The purpose is to remove all self-control from the subordinate in order to make him or her succumb to the absolute control of the dominant. Subordinates often report feeling mentally free because they are exempt from making active choices while being controlled. By being [Page 75]under absolute control, individuals report feeling mental and sometimes sexual satisfaction by having their free will removed. Another common form of bondage is using a blindfold either by itself or in conjunction with restraints. Blindfolding is a form of sense deprivation where it further inhibits the subordinate's ability to actively have control, further contributing to the loss of control that subordinates often seek.

Discipline is an essential component in bondage by providing the realm within which all action is to occur. However, activities within discipline are not as straightforward as they are in bondage. Initially, discipline refers to the construction/establishment of rules for all individuals participating in the scene to follow. Some of the common forms of rules are “safe words” (i.e., words that will stop the scene), the types of objects used to inflict pain, where/when not to hit, and so on. These rules establish the sphere for all actions within the scene to take place, thus establishing an alternate reality. The physical acts of discipline may take multiple forms. Some of the most common physical manifestations of discipline are using whips and striking an individual with one's hand. Other physical manifestations of discipline include nonlethal electrocution and breath control (i.e., controlled suffocation).

...