PSYC FPX 2800 Assessment 4 Bondage Dominance Sadism Masochism and the Media – Abnormal and Deviant
Bondage Dominance Sadism Masochism and the Media – Abnormal and Deviant
BDSM is a bond of bondage, dominance, sadism, and masochism, and was historically considered abnormal or deviant by mainstream society and often due to misunderstandings and sensationalized media portrayals (Dunkley & Brotto, 2019). In many films and books, BDSM practices are used as extreme and violent activities or as indicative of some psychological dysfunction, not as consensual and healthy expressions of sexuality. This distorted view can lead to negative stereotypes that prevent people involved in BDSM from being seen as anything other than aberrations or deviants. In Twilight, the relationship between Bella Swan and Edward Cullen, although not overtly BDSM, mirrors some of these aspects, especially through Edward’s controlling and possessive attitudes. Edward’s inner battle against his vampiric tendencies, including the compulsive urge to keep Bella safe and regulate the sexuality of their relationship, echoes the psychological and power-oriented themes often associated with BDSM. Yet, in Twilight, this is packaged as a beautiful, chaste love affair that fails to mention consent or boundary issues as central components of BDSM activities. This omission can feed into the stereotype that BDSM is dangerous or deviant because it presents power dynamics and control without mentioning the consensual and negotiated nature that differentiates healthy BDSM from abusive relationships.
PSYC FPX 2800 Assessment 4 Conclusion
In conclusion, BDSM in the media, like Twilight, plays a role in shaping societal perceptions of power dynamics, control, and sexual behavior. While BDSM is, for many, a healthy and consensual form of sexual expression, media representation often blurs the lines between consensual kink and abusive control, reinforcing negative stereotypes and misconceptions (Gupta et al., 2023). The Twilight Saga is an example, presenting a controlling and possessive relationship but not delving further into the more subtle themes of consent, boundaries, and mutual respect that are paramount in BDSM. It becomes all the more important as the media continues to impact attitudes on sexuality to provide greater representations of BDSM that contest older ideas of deviance while making communication, trust, and consent paramount. Doing this will help normalize alternative sexual practices and lead to healthier, more informed discussions concerning intimacy and power in relationships.
References
Cameron, J., & Iglesias, P. (2024). Sexual activity of older adults: a systematic review of the literature. International Journal of Sexual Health, 36(2), 145–166. https://doi.org/10.1080/19317611.2024.2318388
