I Have Turned All My Trauma into Kinks; Does Trauma Result in Fetishistic Behavior

Abstract

BDSM stands for Bondage, Domination, Submission, Sadism, and Masochism and has existed in some form since the beginning of human society.  While the BDSM community itself is mostly populated by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender individuals, it also serves as an umbrella term that covers the heterosexual community.  Membership in these communities has long been a source of social and professional stigma since the end of World War 2.  Early in its assimilation into American society, stereotypes began to emerge that involvement or even interest in these sorts of activities was due to the failed resolution of childhood or sex-based trauma.  This review seeks to debunk these stereotypes by reviewing current and previous research on the topic and illustrating that BDSM, or fetishistic behavior, is not a result of either but a positive and potentially therapeutic activity engaged in by consenting adults.