Science on BDSM

[Daumon]

Yep, my intellectual brain is at it again, ....I wanted to see what science has to say on BDSM and have decided to share some of the data I came across here....not that there is that much (easily) available, lol....I am interested to hear what do you think about the data presented.

<< We enjoy the intellectual questions you raise. Its always good to have a better understanding of the interest we share here. >>

Results from a research project by Dr. Pamela Connolly among a group with bondage and sadomasochistic interests (BDSM) showed that “no evidence was found to support the notion that major disorders -- including depression, anxiety, mania/bipolarity, and obsessive-compulsivity -- are more prevalent among members of the BDSM community than among members of the general population”.

“Indeed, if anything, our findings suggested that members of the BDSM community are less likely than others to present with major disorders.”

Moreover, BDSM players had no greater levels of psychological sadism or masochism, disorders in which the sufferer either derives pleasure out of genuine cruelty (not the play-acting kind) or compulsively seeks out harmful levels of pain.

<<< The assumption made by most people is that since we enjoy things that 'normal people' would have no interest in there MUST be something wrong with us. If you enjoy Dominating others you must have some ego disorder or acting out revenge on being abused as a child. If you enjoy being submissive you are seeking escape from an over stressed life or an abused childhood. >>>


A survey using computer-assisted telephone interviews with 20,000 Australian men and women presented at the World Association of Sexual Health congress in Sydney (2007), showed that BDSM may actually make men happier.

Men into BDSM scored significantly better on a scale of psychological wellbeing than other men. (I really want to hear what Doms here have to say about this theory. And I wonder, does this apply to male subs too?)

<<< I think this has ALOT to do with accepting who you are and feeling relaxed and comfortable being able to enjoy what you like. People who have deep needs and have to repress them to conform to the expected social roles. Being able to freely accept yourself and not hide it allows you to pull all the losse ends of yourself into one harmonous person. >>>

"This seems to imply that these men are actually happier as a result of their behaviour, though we're not sure why," says Dr. Juliet Richters of the University of New South Wales. “It might just be that they're more in harmony with themselves because they're into something unusual and are comfortable with that. There's a lot to be said for accepting who you are.”

Researchers said the study helps break down the reigning stereotype that people into bondage and discipline were damaged as children, abused and were therefore “dysfunctional”. (This brings about question...where does the perception that BDSM practitioners (especially subs) were abused comes from then?....and I tend to think it has less to do with archaic psychiatric stand and more to do with the personal impression people get....I used to subscribe to that theory, but having surfed the net and the Library, I now wonder if its only PC feel good crap...because as someone who has never been abused, I do feel like the odd one out because the impression one gets is that almost all submissives have been abused.)

<<< Again people look at the idea of a person wishing to whip or cane another as abuse. To enjoy locking someone in tight bondage is too close to the idea of slavery to be comfortable for most people. The idea of humilating another and train them to serve is seen as horribly wrong and sick. So anyone who wishes to carry on such activities MUST be wrong some how. Either they are mentally ill or were victimized and really dont know any better. Trying to explain the you care for and respect the your partner. The same person you lead about on a lease or make dress up as a slutty little french maid is just to hard for others to accept. >>>



Statistics

The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom, a national organization committed to supporting the equal rights of consenting adults who practice forms of alternative sexual expression, conducted an informal survey of SM practitioners in 1998-1999.

GENDER (Now this surprised me, because I always thought that there were more women into bdsm than men.)
Men 51%
Women 46%
Transgender 1%
Intersexual 2%

ORIENTATION
Heterosexual 40%
Homosexual 22%
Bisexual 36%
No Response 4%

AGE
18-22 3%
23-29 15%
30-44 49%
45-64 31%
Over 65 2%

EMPLOYMENT
Student 8%
Part time 5%
Full time 62%
Self employed 22%
Unemployed 1%
Retired 2%

INCOME (please remember this is 10 years old research)
Under $ 10K 7%
$10-24K 17%
$25-49K 37%
Over $50K 39%


5-10% of the U.S. engages in SM for sexual pleasure on at least an occasional basis (Lowe, 1983).

12% of females and 22% of males reported erotic response to a SM story (Kinsey, Martin, Gebhard, 1953).

55% of females and 50% of males reported having responded erotically to being bitten (Kinsey, Martin, Gebhard, 1953).

14% of men and 11% of women have had some sexual experience with sadomasochism (Janus & Janus, 1993).

11% of men and 17% of women reported trying bondage (Lowe, 1983).

<<< I think the reall numbers would be higher if people were completely honest and open in their feelings, interest and reactions. Some people could never accpet or admit that they reacted to such stimulus. Just my opinion >>

Daumon