I’ve just been having an in-box conversation about the relationship between sex and power triggered by the request for me to debase myself for the pleasure of some stranger and their disgusting blog. Of COURSE sex and power are intimately connected. like.. duh. Power play is a great deal of fun.
But there are two issues here for me. One is about the pleasure of power dynamics. The other is about the relationship of this highly gendered D/S play to gender relations in the wider culture. Firstly, speaking personally about the eroticism of power dynamics: the dominant has to earn the right to dominate. I am yet to meet the man who is worthy of truly dominating me. I resist it. Possibly for personal reasons (I’ve written on my blog before about how from 18-21 I was in a highly physically and psychologically abusive relationship. no need to go over it again here). Rather, I prefer a wrestle between equals, or to be the mistress. And there are men who are quite willing for me to dominate them. Why? Because I am (quote) “awesome” (unquote). But even so, I don’t want to debase a man. I don’t want a man who I see as lesser than myself, and I don’t want to humiliate him. He must retain his strength in submission. For me, there is no fun, no frisson in debasement. why would I want something that’s worthless? why would I want to be treated as worthless? there’s greater power in having someone who knows their own value willingly submitting to you. I know others feel differently, but there’s a difference between allowing yourself to be vulnerable and controlled and used as a sex toy and being debased while it’s happening. again: my opinion.
Ok, so the wider culture thing. That essay I reblogged yesterday - the feminist essay on porn, had something to say about this. Basically, we live in a world of institutionalised gender inequality: where women earn far less; hold a tiny minority of power in boardrooms and politics; do the vast majority of unpaid domestic labour; where 1 in 4 or something have been sexually assaulted; and substantial numbers are victims of domestic violence. so I get disturbed by the way this power imbalance seems to be fetishised in porn. so much of porn is about male dominance over women. some of it can be done in a way that turns me on. of course I want to be fucked roughly against a wall by a glorious man who has earned the right to fuck me roughly against a wall by the power of his awesomeness. but a lot of it seems fucked up, and just insidiously eroticising things that are fucked up in real life.
No offense to those who find that kind of thing hot, but perhaps some reflection on why you find it hot might be healthy.