BDSM is generally used as an umbrella term for a wide range of sexual and/or erotic practices which include some element of restraint, control, power imbalance, or the infliction of pain. These acts may or may not be combined with more traditional forms of sexual activity, but they are usually pursued with the aim of instigating sexual arousal and sexual pleasure. The term was first documented as being used in 1991, and seems to have been developed to include a number of abbreviations such as bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadism and masochism. Many different types of practices and communities exist under the broad category of BDSM, and there is no singular definition of what the practice means. Typically, there is a strong focus on consent. Consent is often established prior to activity (or "play") beginning, and may involve negotiation and communication around limits and boundaries. At the same time, consent can be withdrawn at any time, and many types of BDSM involve establishing a code word ("safe word") or signal by which someone can withdrawn their consent and bring the activity to a stop.
Examples of sex with elements of dominance, power assertion, and/or the infliction of pain have existed in culture and literature for centuries. For example, John Cleland's erotic novel Fanny Hill (1749) features a scene in which a young woman whips her lover for his pleasure. Descriptions of 18th-century prostitutes also include mention of women who specialized in submitting their clients to pain and domination. The term sadism is derived from the name of the Marquis de Sade, a French nobleman who lived from 1740 to 1814. He wrote novels, short stories, and other texts featuring explicit representations of sexual activity, often involving inflicting pain and suffering on others. The term masochism derives from the name of Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, an Austrian nobleman and the author of the novel Venus in Furs. In his writings, Masoch often described individuals who derive sexual gratification from experiencing pain and humiliation.
Historically, some forms of BDSM have been pathologized and stigmatized as evidence that an individual was psychologically disordered. Freud wrote about both sadism and masochism as evidence that a child had experienced some disruption to normal sexual development and became deviant as a result. There is still research being conducted on the origins and practices of BDSM, but most recent scientific studies conclude that there is no evident correlation between trauma and BDSM, nor is there any evidence of a correlation between BDSM and sexual deviance. Especially with the rise of online communities making it easier for like-minded individuals to connect, many individuals who practice BDSM have become more open about their preferences, and in many places, these practices are becoming less stigmatized. While it has been heavily criticized for misrepresenting BDSM practices, Fifty Shades of Grey could also be credited with introducing some of these practices to a wider mainstream audience.
