BDSM Science

 

BDSM actually has long and diverse history. The earliest example of BDSM can probably be found in books of Marquis de Sade, the guy after whom term sadism is named. However, his books are too broad to be close enough to modern BDSM.

For those who are into femdom there is Venus in Furs by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, the guy after whom masochism is named. I do not know how well they reflect femdom.

Division between maledom and femdom is rather clear and people are often into either one or the other. There are even two separate subreddits for each:

Maledom Empire for maledom

https://www.reddit.com/r/MaledomEmpire/ 

Something Matriarchy for femdom

I am into maledom only.

However more recent history of BDSM probably begin with Story of O https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Story_of_O by https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Desclos

There are actually several district fetishes or kinks within BDSM. They are somewhat related to each other but not always work together.

Some can coexist with each other and others not so much.

First and most important distinction is whether you want to dominate or be dominated. People who do both are called switches, however even they are fulfilling one role with one person and the other role with other people. However, I think most would be comfortable with only one of these roles.

I personally only Dom, I do not sub.

Dom - dominates and leads in a relationship. He controls the sub and decides things in a relationship.

sub - is lead and controlled by Dom. They have to obey the Dom and fulfill his orders.

Dom can be alternatively called, Top, Master, Dominant, Sir, Owner, Lord, Daddy or even some unique alternative title.

sub can also be called botton, slave, submissive, pet, cunt, slut or some other name.

Dominant titles are capitalized and submissive ones are not to highlight the power dichotomy.

While distinction between Dom and sub are clear, distinction between different terms used for each role are less so and they are often used interchangeably. However what term people use for themselves do often indicate their attitude towards the whole BDSM relationship.

For example people who use Top/bottom are more inclined towards seeing as just a game or sexual fetish in bedroom.

In contrast those who use Master/slave see it as overreaching roles in a relationship that go into every sphere of life. Some are 24/7 types.

Actual origin terms Sadism and Masochism are rarely used.

Here they often have narrow meaning.

Sadist is the one who enjoys inflicting pain on others.

and Masochist is the one who enjoys receiving pain.

That is simple entry level knowledge article. There is more so explore on your own.