BDSM is a complex acronym derived from the terms
bondage and discipline (B&D, B/D, or BD), dominance and submission (D&S,
D/S, or DS), sadism and masochism (S&M, S/M, or SM).
BDSM includes a wide spectrum of activities, forms of interpersonal
relationships, and distinct subcultures. While not always overtly sexual in
nature, the activities and relationships within a BDSM context are almost
always eroticized by the participants in some fashion. Many of these
practices fall outside of conventional sexual activities and human
relationships.
BDSM encompasses many activities, including — but are not limited to
— forms of dominance, submission, discipline, punishment, bondage, sexual
roleplaying, sexual fetishism, sadomasochism, and power exchange, as well as
the full spectrum of mainstream personal and sexual interactions.
An important distinction is that BDSM is not a form of sexual abuse —
although some BDSM activities may appear to be violent or coercive, such
activities are conducted with the consent of all partners involved. BDSM
relationships and practices are exercised under the philosophy of "safe,
sane and consensual" (SSC), or the somewhat more permissive philosophy of
"risk-aware consensual kink" (RACK).
Activities and relationships within a BDSM context are characterized by the
fact that the participants usually take on complementary, but unequal,
roles. Typically, participants who are active — applying the activity or
exercising control over others — are known as tops or Dominants. Those
participants who are recipients of the activities, or who are controlled by
their partners, are typically known as bottoms or submissives. Individuals
who move between top/dominant roles and bottom/submissive roles—either
periodically within a relationship, or from relationship to relationship—are
known as S/switches.
BDSM is often practiced within the context of a limited and defined
encounter known as a BDSM scene. Such scenes often have ritualistic aspects,
complete with modes of behavior, forms of address, codes of conduct, dress
codes, and many other aspects of theater and role playing. As such
encounters are often, but not always, at least partly sexual in nature,
people outside of BDSM have a tendency to view it as a form of "kinky sex".
Some participants incorporate aspects of BDSM into their everyday
relationship(s) with their partner(s), especially those who practice
dominance and submission or power exchange (especially Total Power
Exchange). For these individuals, BDSM is part of their lifestyle and in
some discussions is referred to as "The Lifestyle".
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Collars are a commonly used symbol of BDSM and can be
ornamental or functional
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