Deconstructing myths: the social construction of “Sadomasochism” versus “subjugated knowledges” of practitioners of consensual “SM”

Abstract

The following paper is based on a critical criminological,
\nmethodologically mainly qualitative, social research
\nproject that I conducted during 1996 and 1997 in
\nLondon's "Scene" of consensual "SM." During this time I
\nconducted unstructured, focused interviews as well as
\nparticipant observations within Scene-clubs that aimed at
\nexploring the "lived realities" of consensual "SM" and its
\n"subjugated knowledges." The paper contrasts the major
\nelements of the social construction of "Sadomasochism"
\nthat medicalize and pathologize practitioners of this
\nconsensual "bodily practice" with some of the findings of
\nmy empirical research within the "Scene" that developed
\naround consensual "SM" in London. More specifically,
\nthe paper explores images, representations, and accounts
\nof "kinky sex" within popular culture as well as the
\nvarious motivations for engaging in consensual "SM"
\nthat were mentioned by my informants and suggests that
\nthe motivations are not pathological or peculiar but
\nrather part of contemporary society’s "subterranean
\nvalues." The paper thus deconstructs the social
\nconstruction of "Sadomasochism" and opposes the
\nselective criminalization of consensual "SM" practice.