Safe, Sane and Consensual Contemporary Perspectives on Sadomasochism

Psychological and medical perspectives on sadomasochism (SM) have historically been concerned with understanding it as a form of psychopathology. In the past (but still often today) studies of SM have been concerned with extreme and most often non-consensual acts. More recently, however, there has been growing interest in exploring the meaning of sadomasochism in non-pathological ways.

Safe, Sane and Consensual includes work from across the social sciences exploring a variety of aspects of SM from a non-pathological perspective. There are discussions of the history and culture of SM, medical and legal understandings, along with theory and original research on the topic. There are also sections on SM and psychotherapy and writing on bridging the academic/activist divide.

This book, now in paperback with a new introduction, includes contributions from an international group of academics, practitioners and activists and represents some of the most recent cutting edge work in the field by leading scholars

DR. DARREN LANGDRIDGE is a lecturer in Social Psychology at the Open University, UK, and an existential psychotherapist. He is the author of Phenomenological Psychology: Theory, Research and Method (Pearson Education) as well as numerous papers on sexualities, the construction of 'the family' and existential psychotherapy. DR. MEG BARKER is Senior Lecturer in Psychology at London South Bank University, UK, and a trainee existential psychotherapist specialising in sex and relationship therapy. She is the author of Introductory Psychology (Learning Matters) as well as several papers and book chapters on aspects of sexuality and relationship structures.

PART I: INTRODUCING SADOMASOCHISM
1. Introduction to Paperback Edition - Situating Sadomasochism; D.Langdridge and M.Barker
2. The Cultural Formation of S/M: History and Analysis; K.Sisson
3. Themes of SM Expression; C.Moser & P.J.Kleinplatz
4. Is SM Pathological?; P.J.Kleinplatz & C.Moser
5. Sado-masochism and the Law; M.Weait
PART II: THEORISING PAIN AND INJURY
6. Speaking the Unspeakable: S/M and the Eroticisation of Pain; D.Langdridge
7. The 'Bodily Practices' of Consensual 'SM', Spirituality and 'Transcendence'; A.Beckmann
8. Beyond Safety: Erotic Asphyxiation and the Limits of SM Discourse; L.Downing
PART III: EMPIRICAL RESEARCH
9. Sexual Fantasies of S/M Practitioners: The Impact of Gender and S/M Role on Fantasy Content; M.R.Yost
10. On Becoming a Gay SMer; A Sexual Scripting Perspective; E.Chaline
11. Playgrounds and New Territories: the Potential of BDSM Practices to Queer Genders; R.Bauer
PART IV: THERAPEUTIC PERSPECTIVES
12. The Power of Play: The Potentials and Pitfalls in Healing Narratives of BDSM M.Barker, C.Gupta & A.Iantaffi
13. Shadowplay: S/M Journeys to Ourselves; D. Easton
14. Some Beneficial Aspects of Exploring Personas and Role Play in the BDSM Context; W.A.Henkin
PART V: BRIDGING THE ACADEMIC/ACTIVIST DIVIDE
15. CARAS: An Initiative to Link Alternative Sexual Communities and Academic Researchers; R.A.Sprott & R.Bienvenu II
16. Turning the World Upside Down: Developing a Tool for Training about SM; M.Barker
17. Who is in Charge in an SM Scene?; Sophia SM and Sexual Freedom: A Life History; G.Denkinson
Experiences of a Pro-Domme; Mlle.Alize
Total Power Exchange in a Modern Family: A Personal Perspective; R.Green