Power Relationships and the Misunderstood Sexual Underground

In our society there is a sexual underground....an underground of individuals who have chosen to become involved in a power relationship. These relationships are real and the individuals involved take them very seriously. They refer to anyone who is not a part of their lifestyle as being vanilla.

This underground is referenced by the use of various terminologies: BDSM (Bondage-Sado-Masochism, Master/slave, Dominant/submissive, Top/bottom. Images of torture, pain, handcuffs, and whips run through one's mind at hearing such terms.

But what is the truth about this mysterious underground? Are the people who walk in that world so different from those who do not?

Take the case of Master Jay. Master Jay is a company executive. He is well-respected in his field and with all who know him. He is divorced, but continues to have a loving family life filled with children and grandchildren who he visits frequently. Anyone who knows him would have no clue as to his secret life. Everyone would be surprised to know that he has a playroom filled with whips, chains, paddles, handcuffs, spreader bars, blindfold, gags, collars, leashes, and an assortment of sexual toys. They would be even more surprised to know that Master Jay has trained several slaves and is in the process of training two more.

Or take Tina. Tina works hard each day in a management position. She is a strong decision maker and has risen to the top of her profession. She is divorced, and a loving mother. Everyone would be surprised to know that on her days off she is naked, kneeling in front of her Master, blindfolded, receiving lashes from his whip as she thanks him through her tears.