Bondage, as defined by www.dictionary.com, has two definitions. The first definition that pops up is “slavery or involuntary servitude; serfdom.” The second definition is “the state of being bound by, or subjected to, some external power or control.” Many people associate bondage with BDSM, and while bondage is a large practice, primarily physical bondage, we all experience some kind of bondage at some point in our lives.

The first definition, slavery or involuntary servitude, is a fairly accurate definition in regard to the BDSM world. In the BDSM realm, there are some who identify as “slave”, and others who identify as “submissive.” Most slaves and submissives belong to, or have an affiliation with, an owner or owners (in the polyamorous cases). That sense of belonging to someone, answering to them, and having them be an integral part in the slave/submissive’s life, comes with a bond. In my opinion, a slave or submissive is bound to their partner(s) emotionally, as well as physically, at times. Which brings me to another aspect of bondage that most people don’t think of.

Bondage can be mental as well as physical. Mental bondage can be intense as well. In the sense of playing, being told to stay in place and not move can be fun and rather hot most of the time. Mental bondage occurs a lot in the normal world, though. Think of marriage, for example. You’re not physically bound your partner 24/7/365 by rope, ties, etc. The rings that symbolize marriage (or other paraphernalia) are a symbol, and remind each partner that they are bound and committed to each other. It’s a reminder and a mental bond between two people of the commitment they made to their relationship, as well as their life together.

The second definition, the state of being bound by, or subjected to, some external power or control, fits more into the BDSM sense, with the use of rope, chains, cuffs, etc. There is, though, a sense of bondage that goes along with this that occurs in the normal world as well. Having a job is a form of bondage. I mean, really, if we could all make money sitting at home doing nothing, we would. Right? Unless you’re the CEO of a company, you are subjected to rules, regulations, and expectations in a workplace. Failure to adhere to such things can result in termination, the breaking of the bonds you have with that job. Every day that we set foot in the workplace, and even in school, we are bound to follow the rules set forth for us. We are bound to those obligations that we signed on for until we end the job, are terminated, or graduate in the case of students.

Bondage has many forms, whether they be physical or mental, and extend outside of the realm of BDSM.

Kind of nifty, huh?