Nudity, Nudism, Shame and Submission
• Psychology Of Domination
I noticed an ‘interesting’ discussion on Down On My Knees about the use of nudity in BDSM. Apparently there are a subset of nudists who think BDSM is incompatible with nudism because we use nudity as a way of shaming submissives.
Really, I’ve never made the connection between no clothes and lowliness. I admit I like to use nudity as a status symbol within the relationship, where during lots of lovemaking and most of BDSM I am at least partially clothed and the boy isn’t.
I like the contrast this creates. There is a heightened sense of exposure for the boy which is unavoidable. I can do anything to his body, or look at any part of it, while the reverse is not true. It doesn’t follow, however, that I would look at populated nudist colony and think “Those lowly, naked scumbags… Look at them with their lack of clothes… Filthy beasts. I should poke them with a stick”
In fact, it should be obvious, due to the context, that a naked man in his home, in front of his PVC-clad lover, is a totally different kettle of fish to other naked people in different circumstances. If I can make this distinction, I’m sure most other sensible dominants can.
Hell, I’ve even wandered ‘round the house naked on a hot day for a while just to stir his soup. I didn’t feel any less powerful for it.
At the end of the day, the naked body is nothing to be ashamed of! We know that just as much as the next sane group. Though I admit I do like clothes and the feelings they give me, I don’t think I have any deep-seated issues if I use nakedity to roleplay or fuck with someone.
As someone has already pointed out, human beings are complex and nonlinear. Don’t expect to be able to make simple, seemingly-logical generalisations. :)
Comments
That little discussion seems to boil down to little more than “Is!” and “Is not!”
I of course love the feelings your clothing gives me :)
Posted by: Richard | February 24, 2007 3:50 PM
Interesting. I’ll have to read that post in more detail. I’ve never thought that nudity was a way to lower or shame a submissive. I just happen to love looking at naked men, even better if I get to touch them and play with them and….
well, you get the idea. :)
Posted by: Myles | February 24, 2007 6:08 PM
You know, I never thought of it quite like that, Myles :)
But it’s true that a lot of the time it’s just nice to see them for the sake of it.
The exact purpose of the male naked-ness is subtle and changes shade like the sky.
Posted by: Alexandra | February 26, 2007 5:38 PM