1. Origin and Definition of Sadomasochism

Richard von Krafft-Ebing, a neurologist and psychologist, borrowed the names of two famous 18th-19th century French and Austrian authors, Sade and Sacher-Masoch, to name a sexual perversion which he called Sadomasochism. In this combination of sadism and masochism, sexual pleasure is obtained through both causing and receiving physical pain and humiliation. According to Freud, it is the most frequent and important form of perversion.
Sadism involves obtaining sexual gratification by inflicting physical or psychological suffering on others.
Masochism involves obtaining sexual gratification through having someone else inflict physical or psychological suffering to oneself.
The practice of sadomasochism is only considered a pathological deviance when it is the only means by which a person can achieve sexual arousal.

2. A perversion or a game ?

S&M can be a liberating way of acting out deeply-felt desires. It can also be just a form of role- play used to add a little spice to normal sexual pleasures. In a few cases, sadomasochism can also be a real perversion with serious consequences for those involved.

The perversion :
It classed as a perversion, or a pathological substitute for normal sexual intercourse, when it is the only means through which someone can relieve particularly deep and persistent sex drives. It is generally not considered a crime when it takes place between two consenting adults, but laws of course prohibit acts of torture or cruelty. Clearly sadomasochism inflicted to a child or to a non-consenting adult may be considered an act of torture and cruelty under most countries' laws.

The game :
Many couples in fact like to play erotic games of domination/submission. These can be defined as games played between two adult partners respecting each other as equals. This implies that both partners consent, and just want to experiment. Under these conditions, the game is played to intensify mutual emotions and sensations. It is often also a means of more easily satisfying one's sexual desires. When controlled, and where the liberty and integrity of each partner are respected, sadomasochistic game may indeed relieve certain sexual tensions or anxieties. Various games are played :

In games where one partner dominates and the other submits, this is termed domination/submission. Such scenarios usually involve one partner seducing, exciting, and/or frustrating the other, and in the end satisfying them. Games involving some sort of punishment are called submission/discipline games.

So called S.M. (Sadomasochistic) games generally imply the use of whips, straps, swatters or other accessories to inflict various degrees of pain. This pain, real or feigned, becomes a source of pleasure and intense stimulation.

These types of relationships are above all intellectual in nature. Domination is a power game, a game of erotic strength, a cerebral sport. Its foremost aspect is the intellectual, often more important than the physical aspect of sex. But it is also a seduction game : the master, with the display of his or her power, seduces the slave, who seduces the master by willingly serving him or her. In such games of powerful erotic content, sexual intercourse is not an end in itself.