Sadomasochism: Powerful Pleasures

by Moser; Charles

• ISBN13: 9781560236405
• ISBN10: 156023640X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2006-07-27
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

A book that dispels the myths about those who prefer to go beyond vanilla” sex Sadomasochism: Powerful Pleasures is a comprehensive exploration of the entire sexual subculture that lies on the cutting edge of society. The mental health professions and society have marginalized people who practice sadomasochism (SM).This interdisciplinary collection dispels myths surrounding SM, bringing together leading scholars from the fields of sexology, psychology, sociology, and medicine, alongside queer studies and sexual minority advocacy. Experts such as Thomas S. Weinberg, PhD, Susan Wright, MA, Margaret Nichols, PhD, Odd Reiersol, PhD, Svein Skeid, Rebecca F. Plante, PhD, Niklas Nordling, MPsych, and N. Kenneth Sandnabba, PhD, among other stellar authorities, reveal research findings, clinical data, and critical thinking about sexuality that lies beyond vanilla.” To gain a broader understanding of human sexuality, the study of SM is crucial for what it reveals about us as sexual beings. The text discusses the results of research into practitioners' behaviors and perspectives, the prevalence of SM behaviors in today's culture, and stresses the need for greater tolerance and understanding. The realization of SM desires and their acceptance are explored in detail. This unflinching look at the world and the people of SM will guide scholars and lay people alike into a more sensitive, sex-friendly viewpoint of the people society calls kinky.” Sadomasochism: Powerful Pleasures answers questions such as: What is the nature of SM relationships? What are the values and motives of SM participants? How do mental health professionals regard and treat SM practitioners? Should sadomasochism continue to be classified as a mental illness? What is the legal status of SM and what are the consequences of discrimination against SM practitioners? Does increasing visibility of SM imagery decrease stigma or create added problems? What can ordinary lovers learn from those we have marginalized about the farther reaches of human erotic potential? Sadomasochism: Powerful Pleasures is valuable, insightful reading for mental health professionals, students, sex educators, sex counselors, sex therapists, sex researchers, sexual health workers, sociologists, sexual minority groups, and anyone interested in learning more about the sexual pleasures that lie beyond the traditional.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The State of Our Knowledge on SM	1	(16)
Charles Moser
Peggy J. Kleinplatz
Sadomasochism and the Social Sciences: A Review of the Sociological and Social Psychological Literature	17	(24)
Thomas S. Weinberg
Differences and Similarities Between Gay and Straight Individuals Involved in the Sadomasochistic Subculture	41	(18)
Niklas Nordling
N. Kenneth Sandnabba
Pekka Santtila
Laurence Alison
Sexual Spanking, the Self, and the Construction of Deviance	59	(22)
Rebecca F. Plante
24/7 SM Slavery	81	(22)
Peter L. Dancer
Peggy J. Kleinplatz
Charles A. Moser
Mainstreaming Kink: The Politics of BDSM Representation in U.S. Popular Media	103	(30)
Margot D. Weiss
Understanding Sadomasochism: An Empirical Examination of Four Perspectives	133	(34)
Patricia A. Cross
Kim Matheson
The Spanner Trials and the Changing Law on Sadomasochism in the UK	167	(22)
Chris White
Negotiating Limits: The Legal Status of SM in the United States	189	(28)
Robert B. Ridinger
Discrimination of SM-Identified Individuals	217	(16)
Susan Wright
SM (Sadomasochistic) Interests as an Issue in a Child Custody Proceeding	233	(10)
Marty Klein
Charles Moser
The ICD Diagnoses of Fetishism and Sadomasochism	243	(20)
Odd Reierøl
Svein Skeid
SM International	263	(18)
Psychotherapeutic Issues with ``Kinky'' Clients: Clinical Problems, Yours and Theirs	281	(20)
Margaret Nichols
Investigating Bias in Psychotherapy with BDSM Clients	301	(24)
Keely Kolmes
Wendy Stock
Charles Moser
Learning from Extraordinary Lovers: Lessons from the Edge	325	(24)
Peggy J. Kleinplatz
Index	349