Bondage-Discipline, Dominance-Submission, Sado-Masochism (collectively BDSM) can range from benign role playing to a lethal mix. The 3 pairings represent opposite ends of a binary relationship. A person who engages in BDSM may engage in other behaviors such fetishes, cross-dressing and body modification.
In dominance-submission, one partner (the top) exerts dominance over the partner (the sub) who submits to the orders of his/her mistress/master.
In bondage-discipline, one partner is restrained while the other delivers punishment or rewards.
In sado-masochism one partner experiences pleasures by causing the other partner pain, while the latter experiences pleasure from the pain.
Within limits this is relatively benign. However, some people exceed boundaries and can cause injury to their partners. A psychopath may be drawn to the practices, then lose control.
Problem areas:
(1) consent
(2) discontinuation when a limit (use of a safeword) is reached
(3) severe physical harm
(4) severe emotional distress caused
(5) BDSM as the exclusive sexual activity
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