DNSerror
Posts: 5
Joined: 12/25/2005 Status: offline
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I think what you said about primal urges and desires is important. At least, it sounds like the problem may be his level of interest, as much as or even more than lack of self-control or other "dominant" characteristics. It's wonderful that you have a longtime relationship together and that you both want to work on this together. Maybe his main motivation will be to make you happy, more so than an innate desire to dominate you. I've heard stories of people being flexible for each other, finding enough common desires, and making that work. (As the awesome Dan Savage says in his advice columns, being Good, Giving, and Game.) It does require open communication and trust: you being able to say what you want and need, and him being able to say what he likes, what he's willing to do, and what he won't do, without fear of judgment. I've heard of a book that might relate to this topic: "When Someone You Love Is Kinky." But from reviews, it sounds like it's mainly focused on understanding friends and family members, and less focused on people whose romantic partners are kinkier than they are. Maybe other folks reading this thread will have other suggestions? In my own experience, when I liked the idea of compromising in some substantial ways to fit a somewhat more 'vanilla' girlfriend, it wasn't something that I could make work and feel happy with over the long haul. But maybe I'm just too stubborn and thickheaded. About "dominant" characteristics: I don't think the desire to dominate is particularly correlated with having more self-control, etc. It's a desire or feeling of how we want or need to connect intimately with another person, like being gay or straight, enjoying certain types of sex acts or not, liking holding hands or not, wanting to lick chocolate off of a partner or have chocolate licked off of us or not. For some people the feeling can be strong and deeply rooted, for others it can be casual and light fun, or anywhere in between. Though of course it's legitimate to seek self-control, trustworthiness, or any number of other personal qualities in a partner. Especially if you will be putting yourself in a position where your wellbeing depends on them. Good luck to you and your guy.
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