TheEmber
Posts: 6
Joined: 11/5/2005 Status: offline
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Unfortunately, the term 'switch' is a fairly recent addition to the vocabulary for BD/SM, and most of those that balk at the concept are those of the 'old guard', namely those that began in the lifestyle as either dominant or submissive and that was the end of the discussion right there for them. The introduction of the Internet, as with many other phases of life, opened this lifestyle to a great many more people, most looking for acceptance in a world that would, at the very least, look down their nose at those that enjoy either receiving or giving pain. This really isn't even a lifestyle, so to speak, but more of another definition for the word 'relationship', since that is what it really is in the end. Just as there are those that refuse to accept homosexuality as another facet of the word, being a switch has the same negative connotations that will eventually be filed in the history books, metaphorically speaking. In every single 'vanilla' relationship, there is an equal, usually, give and take of power. Perhaps it is not always a blantantly noticable exchange, but it still exists, if you look close enough. As a dominant, I, personally, enjoy having the lion's share of the relationship in some aspects, but in others, my submissive has the lion's share. Does that make me a switch? I personally think not, simply because it is not a term that I honestly think applies to me. While I have a fairly docile nature more often than not, I have absolutely no problems in asserting myself, sometimes quite vocally. I do not bend my will to another simply because it is demanded, but instead because that other person has shown me that there is a reason that I should, if only on that one issue. Being a switch, in my mind at least, is the ability to not only subjugate one's self to another's authority without reservation, but at the same time, have that strength of spirit that convinces others that there is a reason that you deserve their respect and obedience. The degrees to which both halves are utilized, of course, lies with the individual, but regardless of the frequency of either side's emergence, it is still there. In layman's terms, which I relate to quite well, a switch is someone that enjoys being submissive, but enjoys being submitted to, as well. Life is full of peciddilios, and being a 'switch' is one exclusive to BD/SM. It's neither wrong nor right, since there is no exact set of rules for this in the first place. Je pense donc que je suis. I think therefore I am. In terms of this discussion, "I think I am a switch therefore I am a switch." Beyond that, it is simply opinions and no one should run their life based on another's opinion.
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