Origins

Most people I know are intrigued by history, and origins in general. From the reason for rise of the automotive industry, to uses of cosmetics and make up, to body modification. Inventors, pioneers, adaptations, and evolutions. Etc. Californians in particular seem to love self-analysis and many of my friends are star amateur psychoanalysts. Those into BDSM are of course especially fond of these kinds of thoughts and conversations. We love to look back on our lives, and the lives of others- pin pointing specific events or dynamics which fed (or perhaps created) our kinks. Many also enjoy looking at society at large, examining which social norms or child rearing techniques begot which sexual urges. Which cultural fads or fashion trends led to which fetishes?

Recently, I've been reading a book that includes information about the brothels and prostitutes of the 16th-19th century. Many included or where specifically for "specialties," what we consider to be fetishes. From Femdom havens, to Domestic style discipline (including school house role plays and special rooms to accommodate such!), bondage Dommes, to pure SM/ flagellation incarnations of many of the types of play we still enjoy were being practiced. (I have to laugh a bit when I recall one Domme telling me that she 'invented' Domestic Discipline... she must have been a lot older than I thought!). Then, much more so than now, being a sex worker was one of the few positions (if not the only) in society in which Women had power over their own lives and were not tied down to one man. It seems to me that professionals were historically a huge part (if not the main part) of the development of BDSM/ kink just because it was so entirely socially unacceptable until relatively recently to even discuss that kind of thing within traditional relationships (not that it is easy now). For me, being a pro is tied in to my kink on a certain level. I wonder if it was for my foremothers.

I used to indulge in this type of psycho-sexual self analysis regularly. Mostly because it was fun. Recently though I have come to believe that my kinky-ness, my Dominance, comes from something more basic. My desire for intensity, connection, and exploration.