Buttocks

The buttocks are the two masses of muscle (gluteus maximus) and fat covering the posterior aspect of the human (primate) pelvis. They allow humans (primates) to sit upright comfortably without resting weight on their feet, as (for example) cats and dogs do when they sit upright.

Corporal punishment is often delivered on the buttocks, in the form of spanking, caning or whipping. This is especially true for lighter punishment and domestic discipline. It should be noted that corporal punishment is not only something experienced within BDSM as a sexual fetish. Just because the buttocks are being used for receiving pain, does not imply that the recipient is consenting nor that it has anything to do with BDSM.

While there are many nerve endings in the area (ensuring substantial pain), there is relatively little risk of the victim sustaining long-term injury since internal organs are unlikely to be affected.

The buttocks are usually not exposed, making the punishment invisible to outsiders and therefore keeping any play such as caning them a private activity.

Exposed buttocks are often considered shameful and having to bare them for punishment or simply by order of the dominant can be humiliating.

Viewing a nice pair of buttocks of the desired gender is sexually arousing for many, but not all. The sexual aesthetics of the buttocks vary greatly from culture to culture, with some finding leaner buttocks attractive while some find extremely fatty buttocks desirable. Individual preferences within cultures also have variances.