Slavery

Slavery

As it pertains to the BDSM lifestyle, slavery is the act of a Dominant owning a submissive, or a Master owning a slave. It's the equal exchange of power between two individuals, whereas the Dominant holds controlling power over the submissive. Often times this situation will be agreed upon with the use of a contract, whereas both partners sign a list of agreements, which have been thoroughly negotiated. In many ways, even if in a completely non-sexual manner, entering into a contractual slavery agreement is much like a vanilla marriage situation; both partners are committing themselves to each other as Master and slave.

There are many different levels of slavery, whether it be a roleplay taking place within predefined scenes, or as a lifestyle encompassing a 24/7 situation.

slav·er·y Pronunciation Key (slv-r-ee, slvree) n. pl. slav·er·ies

  1. The state of one bound in servitude as the property of a slaveholder or household.
  2.
        1. The practice of owning slaves.
        2. A mode of production in which slaves constitute the principal work force.
  3. The condition of being subject or addicted to a specified influence.
  4. A condition of hard work and subjection: wage slavery.

References:

• The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition