CallaFirestormBW
Posts: 3651
Joined: 6/29/2008 Status: offline
|
quote:
The idea that you wouldn't have been taken advantage if someone had told you that you were submissive is quite ludricious to me. People, subs AND doms and otherwise, get taken advantage of when they don't have the willpower or self-awareness to stand up for themselves. It's not an orientation problem, it's a matter of personal strength. Which you can teach them without ever talking about BDSM. I have to say that I disagree with this part, in particular the bolded section. You see, over the years, I've met quite a few individuals who are inherently submissive individuals, and who, by nature, will submit to anyone who exhibits a greater measure of 'command' than they do. It isn't a matter of self-esteem... it is an inherent part of their nature. The fact is, though, that these individuals are prey... and those of us who are more dominant (read: predator) in nature tend to be able to pick these folks out in a crowd. My ex-husband, though not having ANYTHING to do with BDSM, was one of these type of people. He is a through-and-through submissive. When I left (we might have worked out if he could have stopped listening to his brothers and military compatriots telling him he should resent having a -woman- lead the household), even though I really wanted to help him stand on his own two feet and lead his own life, the VERY FIRST thing he did was hunt up someone else who would control his life... and unfortunately, she turned out to be a VERY abusive so-and-so... I think that it is important to recognize these tendencies in our saplings, if we're able to, and to let them know that we've seen things they need to be both aware of, and, perhaps even seek out assistance in decision-making with. As saplings, sometimes they won't want to 'blend roots' --- they'll want their own piece of ground and their own bit of sun-- but at some point, as the gardener who raises these saplings and assures their well-being, it -is-, IMO, our job to make sure that, especially for our vulnerable saplings, proper instruction and protection are in place so that they are not destroyed as they mature. JMTC, Calla
_____________________________
*** Said to me recently: "Look, I know you're the "voice of reason"... but dammit, I LIKE being unreasonable!!!!" "Your mind is more interested in the challenge of becoming than the challenge of doing." Jon Benson, Bodybuilder/Trainer
|