Blog post 7: Self harm and Masochism (BDSM)

Masochism is the pleasure or enjoyment that someone gets when being hurt or humiliated especially when done sexually. One of the most common ways of masochism is BDSM. BDSM  is a variety of erotic practices involving Bondage and Discipline (BD), Dominance and Submission (DS), Sadism and Masochism or Sadomasochism (SM), and other types of sexual play. These undoubtedly, however performed usually with a partner, is a form of self harming. 

According to this article that I have read by Michael Castleman entitled A loving introduction to BDSM, BDSM isn't abusive its about trust and communication. There are several types of BDSM: power-play or domination and submission which involves one lover has control or dominates the other, sadomasochism which involves spanking, flogging and other types of intense sensation, and bondage discipline which involves restraint. 

Ancient Greek Art showed signs of BDSM. The Kama Sutra (300AD) involved erotic spanking. However, BDSM gained popularity in the 18th Century when some European brothels began specializing in restraint, flagellation, and "punishments" that was done by dominant women to submissive men. 
In 1791, French Marquis de Sade published the first SM novel called Justine, which involved spanking, flogging, nipple clamping, whipping, and restraints. His name inspired the word "Sadism". He was then imprisoned for criminal insanity for many people deemed that the sexual practices he popularized are crazy.
In 1870, Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, published his novel called Venus in Furs, about male sexual submission. His name inspired the word "Masochism".
In 1905, Freud coined the word "Sadomasochism, calling its enjoyment neurotic.

I would like to quote what Mr. Castleman have written, "BDSM is never abusive. It's always consensual, Abuse is not." This is a very important statement especially to those who are into BDSM for it clarifies the stigma that lovers who practise BDSM are abusing each other. 

I have read this article entitled, Love Hurts: Sadomasochism's Dangers by Russel Goldman. It is about this Canadian College Professor who spent 3 days in coma after losing consciousness in a New York Sex Club where he was left alone with a dog collar around his neck and a leather hood on his face. The man was identified by the New York Post as Robert Benjamin, 67 years old. He passed out in a club called Nutcracker Suite when his foot turned blue after the high-heeled shoe he was wearing fell off and the oxygen flow to his brain was cut off while his arms was restrained and hanged. He was rushed to the hospital and awoke after 3 days of coma. He then promised to his wife that he will never engage to dangerous sex again. Another case of extreme dangerous sex happened to Adrian Exley, a British national, whom suffocated to death in a closet in Rhode Island by Gary LeBlanc a man he met online. Exley was found wrapped in a heavy plastic bound with duct tape and a leather hood over his head. The two men didn't expected that to happen although they both consented to the sex act. Later, LeBlanc committed suicide according to The Associated Press.

I would like to quote what Mr. Goldman have written, "But sadomasochism is difficult to define. Some practitioners engaging in highly dramatized "play" that has more to do with theater than pain, while others look to be severely tortured..." BDSM can sometimes be dangerous and my only advice to people who practise it is to be extra more careful for too much of a something can be very unhealthy or even fatal.