I think if that were true, there would be a lot more dead people, and a lot more people who died happy. That's absurd, it would be like saying, all people who judge things they don't understand are smart. The two have nothing to do with each other.

That's absolutely right, Airen.

Also, I prefer, myself, not to use the words "sadist" or "masochist" in my own play. My Man and I have a somewhat D/s relationship, and he is the Alpha, Dom etc. However, he is not a sadist, although we play hard and engage in some play that some other people (if they were to see it) might think are intended to cause.... pain? I see it more as "Intense Sensation" because when we're playing no "real" pain is really felt, it's all translated to intense sensation and arousal.

My Man is NOT violent and is a nice guy. He has never committed a crime (OK, we had sex when he was a grown man and I was under 18, but aside from that....) and I would not call him a sadist. A Dom, yes, but not someone who has the desire to watch people suffer in any way.

I also was not aware that the diagnosis as "sadist" was in the new DSM (Diagnostics and Statistical Manual, the book mental health processional use to diagnose and class certain conditions) Serial killers may be classed as "Sadistic killers" but that is NOT the same as BDSM consensual play!

I think like most people who don't understand anything but Missionary position PIV as the only "sex" acceptable, consent has everything to do with many things. Whip somebody when she asks you to do so, have a Safe Word, and know when to stop; Consensual BDSM. Whip somebody you kidnapped out of the University parking lot, hold her against her will and have no way for her to communicate HER needs to stop with you: Crazy Sadistic Criminal.

Context is everything, and your ENGLISH professor evidently knows nothing about context and CONSENT in the world of Hard Play.

You've hit the nail on the head! Consent is the key.

The problem with overly "Vanilla" people (or those who are "closet kinky" and feel guilty about it and then try to make up for it by pointing fingers at those who guiltlessly engage in the same kind of play, but with full consent) is that they don't understand the differences between consensual and non-consensual acts.

It's the same reason so many nutwings are "against" GLBT people, they don't understand CONSENT!

Sadism and Masochism is greatly misunderstood

I would love to know what became of this.

Also, voted misunderstood and etc.

Being a sociopath does not predispose to murder, Sociopaths are marked by their inability to empathize with the feelings and emotions of others. They tend to be habitual liars and do things that benefit themselves without thought of the consequences to others. They are not necessarily violent, just extremely selfish and their brain doesn't tell them "hey this should feel wrong, you should be guilty etc etc etc". Generally, Sociopathy would have to be in conjunction with extreme violent tendencies or another mental disorder for them to murder. You'd probably be surprised how many average every-day people are sociopaths because they can put on an act to fit those around them without actually feeling anything they pretend to. They also make medication for them that can help or w/e but idk how useful that is.

Anywho, I don't practice S&M nor do I know much about it buttt I definitely agree it's very misunderstood. Living in the Southern USA, it's even more overblown here; well any form of sexual taboo is really because everyone is so conservative but BDSM/S&M etc are probably veryvery high on the list of "OMG YOU ARE INSANE WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU" reactions =_=

Good points!!

This is exactly what I wanted to say, on both counts.

I think S&M is greatly misunderstood. Did you say anything to them?

wow what a ignorant person it just go to show anyone can teach even if they shouldn't

my bf and i are into S&M and we are far from crazy lol there are many different levels of sadomasochism we're on the lighter end but there are those that get into extremes... as long as both parties are in it willingly i see no problems with it at all

that's just being ill informed