The Influence of Literature and Pop Culture on BDSM

“The Influence of Literature and Pop Culture on BDSM“ was written for BDSMforyou.nl by Mistress Moriah.

What is the influence of literature and pop culture on BDSM? Or does it have no influence at all on the size of the BDSM scene? Practising BDSM is of course centuries old and has millions of followers. It is hard to determine accurately how large the group of BDSM practitioners really is, because many people keep it private and are not always open about it. Still, there are indications of how big this group is. One of the frequently cited studies is a worldwide survey suggesting that around 5-10% of the population regularly takes part in BDSM-related activities. For the Netherlands, that means some one and a half million enthusiasts. That is by no means a small group.

In addition, surveys such as the Durex Global Sex Survey show that a much larger group, around 20-30%, considers or carries out fantasies or occasional experiments with BDSM. This includes lighter forms of BDSM, such as bondage or role play, which shows that for a considerable part of the population BDSM is not that far from the norm at all. So why all the secrecy?

Fifty Shades of Grey

A few years ago it briefly seemed that BDSM was being pulled out of the shadows with the arrival of the book series (and later the film adaptation) of Fifty Shades of Grey. These books were a huge hit and sold like hot cakes. And all that thanks to a book that, let's be honest, did not exactly deserve a Pulitzer Prize for its writing style. Its massive popularity must surely have had something to do with the content.

E.L. James

So it is practically impossible to talk about the influence of literature on BDSM without mentioning E.L. James. Her trilogy sparked a worldwide surge of interest in BDSM. What's more, in many a bedroom around the world, the grey area between taboo and curiosity suddenly became a lot less grey. The book was not only a bestseller, it also opened the door to conversations about consent, power and sexual preferences.

Fifty Shades versus BDSM

Although the diehard BDSM practitioner doesn't always agree with the way BDSM is portrayed in the books - the dynamic between Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele would, in reality, raise quite a few red flags -, you can't deny that the genre made things easier to talk about. 'Duct tape and neckties' were suddenly looked at very differently. Just like a number of the products in the DIY store....

The claiming of sleeping

But "Fifty Shades" is just one example. Think of Anne Rice, who, under the pseudonym A.N. Roquelaure, wrote her "The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty" trilogy as early as the 1980s. It is certainly not a sweet fairy tale. Rice created a world in which sexual submission took centre stage, far more direct and less romantic than what E.L. James served up to us. These books did not have a massive impact at the time, but they were certainly influential within the BDSM community. And now, with the success of "Fifty Shades", such older works are being rediscovered by a wider audience.

How pop culture embraced BDSM

Pop culture has always had a way of slowly bringing taboo things to the surface. What once happened only in dark, smoky clubs was slowly but surely turned into music videos, films and series. It started cautiously, with hints and suggestions, as in the iconic music videos of Madonna and Rihanna, but now BDSM is openly shown in popular series such as "Billions" and "The L Word: Generation Q". Even "American Horror Story" brought it to the fore, albeit in a somewhat grimmer and more extreme way.

This shift from taboo to mainstream has not only made the conversation about sexuality and power more nuanced, but has also raised questions about consent and safety. Pop culture often works with stereotypes and exaggerations, which can lead to misinterpretations. But if anything positive comes out of it, it is that more people are now at least open to a conversation about BDSM without laughing or looking away.

The impact of this shift on the community

However, it is not all roses and moonlight. Although we can be glad that our world is no longer seen as purely "weird" or "wrong", this mass exposure also has downsides. Where "Fifty Shades" perhaps comes across as too safe and romantic, some films, media items and series give a far too extreme, one-sided and/or unhealthy view of BDSM.

Media representation often revolves around pain and power games, without taking into account how intensely loving BDSM can also be. You hardly hear anything about the deeper layers, desires and convictions. It is precisely that deep connection between (play or love) partners that makes it a healthy and often loving experience.

Source

Text: Mrs Moriah
Image: 123rf.com