9 Degrees of Submission

The Nine Degrees Of Submission

Okay here's the disclaimer, this is from The Lesbian S/M Safety Manual, edited by Pat Califia, from Lace/Alyson Press, Copyright 1984 and 1988, Diane Vera, published in Boston, 1988, reissued 1990

But I will note the heading speaks of submission and the degree titles speak of slavery. As you know by now...I don't regard slavery as the same thing as submission. Let me note that right up front. But the Nine Degrees is presented here to get a feel for where along the spectrum you might find yourself and one popular sense of it all.

The Outright Non-submissive Masochist or Kinky Sensualist
Not into servitude, humiliation or giving up of control; just pain and/or spiced-up sensuality, on the masochists own terms for the masochists own pleasure (ie: being turned on solely or mainly by one's own bodily sensations, rather than being turned on by being "used" to gratify one's partner's sadism.)

Pseudo-submissive non-slave
Not into even playing "slave", but into other "submissive" role-playing, e.g.: schoolteacher scenes, infantilism, "forced" transvestism. Usually into humiliation, but NOT into servitude, even in play. Dictates the scene to a large degree.

Pseudo-submissive PLAY slave
Likes to play at being slave. Likes to *feel* subservient; may in some cases like to *feel* that one is being "used" to gratify one's partner's sadism; and may even really serve the dominant in some ways, but only on the "slaves" own terms. Dictates the scene to a large degree; often fetishistic (e.g. foot worshippers).

True submissive non-slave
Really gives up control (though only temporarily and within agreed upon limits), but gets his/her main satisfaction from aspects of submission *other than* serving or being used by the dominant. Usually turned on by suspense, vulnerability, and/or giving up of responsibility. Doesn't dictate the scene except in very general terms, but still seek mainly her/his own *direct* pleasure (rather than getting one's pleasure mainly from pleasing the dominant.)

True submissive PLAY slave
Really gives up control (though only temporarily; only during brief "scenes" and within limits) and gets his/her main satisfaction from serving and being used by the dominant - but only for FUN puposes, usually erotic. (May or may not be into pain, but if so, is turned on by pain *indirectly*, ie: enjoys being the objects on one's partner's sadism, onwhich the submissive places few requirements or restrictions.)

Uncommitted short-term but more-than-play semi-slave
Really gives up control (though usually withiin limits); wants to served and be used by the dominant; wants to provide practical/non-erotic as well as fun/ erotic services; but only when the "slave" is in the mood. May even act as a full-time slave for, say, several days at a time, but is free to quit at any time (or at the end of the agreed upon several days). May or may not have a long-term relationship with one's Mistress/Master, but, either way, the "slave" has the final say over when he or she will serve.

Part-time consensual but REAL slave
Has ongoing commitment to an owner/slave relationship, and regards oneself as the Mistress's/Master's "property" at all times. Wants to obey and please her/him in all aspects of life - pratical/non-erotic as well as fun/erotic. Devotes most of one's time to other commitments (eg: job) but the Mistress/Master has first pick of the slave's free time.

Full-time live-in consensual slave
Within no more than a few broad limits/requirements, the slave regards herself/ himself as existing solely for the Mistress's/Master's use, pleasure and well- being. The slave in turn expects to be regarded as a prized possesion. Not much different from the situation of the traditional housewife, except that within the S/M world the slaves position is more likely to be fully consensual, especially if the slave is male (since men certainly aren't socially pressured into this kind of lifestyle). Within the S/M world, a full-time "slave" arrangement is enetered into with an explicit awareness of the magnitude of power that is being given up, and hence is usually enetered into much more carefully, with more awareness of the possible dangers, and with much clearer and more specific agreements than usually precede the traditional marriage.

Consensual total slave with no limits
A common fantasy ideal which probably doesn't exist in real life (except in authoritarian religious cults and other situations where the "consent" is induced by brainwashing and/or social or economic pressures, and hence isn't fully consensual.) A few S/M purists will insists that you aren't really a slave unless you're willing to do absolutely *anything* for your Mistress/ Master, with no limits at all. There are a few who claim to be no-limits slaves, but in all cases it would be reasonable to doubt the claim.

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