In the BDSM scene, there exist roles that each person must fulfill. The most common roles in the BDSM realm are master or dominant and submissive or slave. The role of the master or dominant always carries a very similar definition.

However, when discussing a slave and a submissive, it must be established that they are not equal. Each of these individuals, when they are slaves, obey a certain type of parameters, while submissives follow other parameters that are somewhat different.

This is the most clear difference between the two roles in BDSM. In other words, the difference lies mainly in what is done or not done. Thanks to this, a distinction can be made between a slave and a submissive in BDSM.

There are many people who call themselves submissives when, in reality, the correct definition for them is slave.

On the other hand, something very similar also occurs, there are people who call themselves slaves, however, their reality fits into the role of a submissive person.

The concept of a submissive person could be established as someone who does what their master or dominant establishes. However, the submissive person possesses a certain degree of freedom.

A submissive person obeys by their decision and submits by will. That is, a submissive person decides to what extent they will obey their master or dominant.

When starting a BDSM relationship, it is essential that the person presents themselves as a submissive and not as a slave. This makes the dominant aware that there are limits to what can and cannot be done.

A slave does not have the right to disobey any order, and this is what differentiates a slave from a submissive in BDSM.

In BDSM, submissives generally start by assuming this role. However, the point comes when every submissive decides to become a slave. This occurs over time and through the acquisition of trust between the master and submissive.

This is a highly important fact, every submissive has a tendency to be a slave. The decision to become a slave is directly chosen by the submissive. The decision, in general, depends on the relationship, trust, and respect that exists in the BDSM relationship.

It is worth noting that for a submissive, it is not necessary to establish limits. The submissive can decide when to obey and when not to obey, at the moment they decide. The submissive person can even disobey in the middle of a BDSM act.

(Extract from an article published in the Erotic World on 21/10/219)