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Sadomasochism
Sadomasochism
is a paraphilia
that combines both sadistic and masochistic sexual behavioral patterns.
The main characteristic of sadomasochism is the eroticizing of pain.
What appears to the outsider to be painful, even very painful, is
experienced as somewhat painful but mostly pleasurable and very sexually
arousing to the sadomasochist. The sadist in the sadomasochistic pair is
the person who inflicts the pain or punishment; the masochist is the
person who submits to the pain, humiliation or control of his or her
partner. Sadomasochistic sexual encounters usually occur in the context
of scripted scenes that simulate interactions between master or mistress
and slave, employer and servant-maid, teacher and student, owner and
horse or dog, and parent and child. Sadomasochists may wear black
leather or rubber attire. Some gay males and heterosexuals engage in a
genre of sadomasochism known as "leathersex", wearing key
chains or colored handkerchiefs symbolizing the role being played.
Wearing keys on the left side indicates that the individual is a sadist;
on the right indicates that he or she prefers the role of masochist.
Sadomasochists tend to
alternate between the masochistic and sadistic roles. In milder form,
without overt cruelty or bodily punishment, dominance and submissive
behaviors may be found in many relationships, or may be an element of
fantasy life. Although sadomasochistic acts in their extreme forms can
be physically and psychologically dangerous, the majority of people
engaging in these behaviors do so with an understanding of the risks and
stay within carefully predetermined limits.
For more information on
sadomasochism see paraphilias.
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Sex
