These categories may sometimes all be distinguished from each other. But, they also may include characteristics that overlap. For example, bondage does not always have to include dominance and submission, or sadomasochism. But at certain levers, it may. The same also holds true for dominance and submission, and sadomasochism (Ernulf&Innala, p632).Sadomasochism, however, is the only paraphilia that does not occur exclusively among men. Many women participate are found to participate in S&M practices. A survey of S&M participants drawn from ads in S&M magazines found that about three in four were male and about one in four were female (Rathus, Nevid &Fichner-Rathus, p547). Many people who are into the S&M scene may have a dominatrix that they may frequently visit. The dominatrix plays the dominant role and is a usually a female figure. There is some evidence for a social-class difference in the S&M scene. Working-class clients of prostitutes purchase mainly traditional sexual activities, while upper-class clients seem to frequently request to be sexually dominated (Ernulf&Innala, p635). One example that comes to mind is when famous sportscaster, Marv Albert’s name was found on a dominatrix’s black book. He is a very wealthy man who has a fiance, and yet he found it necessary to seek the skills of a dominatrix.Sadomasochists may have problems but can usually find ways to help themselves. It becomes a problem when one’s behavior becomes destructive or dangerous, to ones self or to others. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders includes sexual sadism and sexual masochism, but certain minimum for these diagnoses must be fulfilled:Sexual Sadism: The essential feature of this disorder is recurrent, intense, sexual urges and sexually arousing fantasies, for at least six months’ duration, involving acts (real not simulated) in which the psychological or physical suffering (including humili...
