Abstract

As women navigate the intersecting meanings of feminism and submission, some struggle to reconcile their feminist politics and submissive practice (i.e., belief in equality and desire to yield authority). Bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, and sadism/masochism (BDSM) has been examined through diverse feminist lenses, including radical feminism, postcolonial world-travelling, and a sex-critical approach. However, scant empirical research focuses on the intersection of feminist and submissive identities. The purpose of this collected papers dissertation was to better understand the identity navigation of women in the BDSM community who identify as feminist and submissive. Two studies were conducted to explore this gap. Study #1, a structured literature review of BDSM, examined how feminism and submission are discussed related to women who are feminist and submissive. Data were collected through a library database search, Google Scholar, reference scans, and Google Scholar Cited by. Important segments of data were identified and analyzed. Four themes emerged: feminism in the context of BDSM, normalization of BDSM, navigating identities, and power as transgressive. Implications focus on three areas: the importance of consent, transgression, and diversity; helping women understand and navigate identities; and reducing stigma through education. Study #2, a phenomenological study, explored how 23 women in the BDSM community perceive and navigate their feminist and submissive identities. Data were collected through interviews. Inductive analysis revealed six themes: feminist identity as distinct from feminist values, the complexity of submissive identity, women learn to accept their submissive identity in different ways, BDSM community perceived as generally accepting of feminist identity, feminist community perceived as not very accepting of submissive identity, and being out as feminist and as submissive. Implications focus on four areas: exploring how women challenge oppressions; understanding how women understand and negotiate consent; learning about how individuals learn about, develop, and engage in BDSM D/s relationships; and examining how college women experience these identities, feminism, submission, consent, and abuse while they develop as individuals. The findings can apply to counseling, feminism, sex education, higher education, adult education, and human resource development through incorporation into curriculum, training, and policies. Research and practice can be enhanced through exploring how consent is understood, operationalized, and violated; broadening discussions about identity development; and increasing awareness of how adults learn.

Highlights

  • Background to the ProblemIdentity shapes how people make sense of the world and their experiences, including their interactions with other people (Burke, 2007)

  • This study explored the phenomenon of feminist and submissive identity, within the context of the BDSM community and (D/s) relationships, through a lens which integrates concepts of identity, feminism, and BDSM

  • Feminism Bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, and sadism/masochism (BDSM) was discussed in terms of agency, power, and consent; and as both replicating and simulating systems of patriarchy. It was conceptualized as transgressing systems of patriarchy, which supports the argument within feminist discourse that theorists, researchers, and practitioners would do well to discard binary thinking and instead seek more comprehensive, and perhaps complex, understandings of what BDSM is and why people engage in it

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Identity shapes how people make sense of the world and their experiences, including their interactions with other people (Burke, 2007). An identity is “the set of meanings that define who one is when one is an occupant of a particular role in society, a member of a particular group, or claims particular characteristics that identify him or her as a unique person” An identity standard is the set of meanings that defines the character of an identity. Some women experience a struggle between their White, Mexican, and indigenous identities, where “commonly held beliefs of the white culture attack commonly held beliefs of the Mexican culture, and both attack commonly held beliefs of the indigenous culture” This “attack on ourselves and our beliefs” (Anzaldúa, 2007, p. 100) creates an “inner war” and “cultural collision,” which can lead to the formation of a new, Latina identity

Objectives
Methods
Discussion
Conclusion
Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.