A double-edged sword: the role of pornography in learning about BDSM

Abstract

ABSTRACT Increasing depictions of kink in mainstream society are leading to a rise in people seeking to learn about and participate in bondage/discipline, domination/submission, and sadism/masochism (BDSM). For many, this initial education process is likely to focus on the Internet and pornography specifically. Existing research into the impact of pornography on sex education has been mixed, though predominantly negative. However, pornography’s role in BDSM education has yet to be explored. To address this gap, 18 semi-structured interviews were conducted with BDSM community leaders in Canada and the USA to examine from where and what practitioners learn about BDSM. Participants drew upon their personal experiences and those they interacted with in their capacity as a community leader. Interviewees identified the benefits and risks associated with using pornography as a learning tool for BDSM participation. They stressed how pornography’s value as a learning tool has evolved over time, how it can normalise BDSM and increase self-acceptance, teach skills, and reinforce negotiation and consent practices. However, if consumers cannot separate fantasy from reality, pornography can have negative effects. The impact of BDSM-themed pornography for education, especially in adolescents and young people, is discussed, as are directions for more in-depth investigations of this topic.