The difference between BDSM and Fifty Shades of Grey

What is it about?

For many people, Fifty Shades of Grey have become the symbol of sadomasochistic practices and BDSM subculture. But how do the people from the BDSM subculture perceive themselves in contrast to the mainstream view of them pictured in the book Fifty Shades of Grey? This article investigates to what extent the subcultural conception of BDSM corresponds to the book's depiction and where it differs fundamentally.

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Photo by Maru Lombardo on Unsplash

Photo by Maru Lombardo on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Recently, much has been written in the mass media about the novel and film Fifty Shades of Grey. It was widely portrayed as an example of BDSM (a common abbreviation for the terms bondage, discipline, dominance, submissivity, sadism and masochism) subculture and used as a symbol of sadomasochistic identity. But is this public view based on the self image of BDSM subcultural members or is it a figment of the imagination of writers and journalists? This article presents the voice of BDSM activists, who are silenced and excluded from the public debate.