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Domination and submission

Domination and Submission, (D&S) in a BDSM context, is a sexual activity involving the biological responses of submission[?] and dominance. In a D&S play or relationship, one partner is generally considered the dominant one, and will command the other, submissive partner.

A dominant is one who enjoys performing BDSM practices upon a submissive. The term is falling out of use in vanilla sex (see top). A female dominant is often called a dominatrix. "Dominate" is sometimes used incorrectly as a synonymous noun.

The term "dominant" or "dom" is more precise than "top", since the term "top" is also used in vanilla, especially gay, sex to refer to an insertive partner, or as a transitive verb meaning to have insertive sex with. As above, it is very commonplace for partners to change roles from one encounter to the next or to have both insertive and receptive sex.

A submissive may be, but is not necessarily, a BDSM bottom. For example, some submissives enjoy taking orders from a dominant but does not receive any physical stimulation.

It should be noted that the submissive is commonly, in a wider context than the BDSM scenes themselves, the partner who is giving instructions - the top typically tops when, and in the manner, requested by the bottom.

In order to explore BDSM sex, it is essential to be careful and choose a top who will be responsive to one's needs, feelings, and limits. (See safeword.) Failure to choose a trustworthy top can be very dangerous, and even a trustworthy but overzealous top can inflict severe pain or injury by failing to pay attention to the bottom.

Note that in D&S, it is commonplace for two partners to switch roles from one encounter to the other, depending on mood and preference, a practice known as switching.

There are some indications that preference in B&D activities follows a 'compensatory' pattern, with people who have much power and responsibility in real life often preferring a submissive role, no hard scientific data to either confirm or reject this hypothesis seem to exist, however.

There are also indications that submissives substantially outnumber dominants, in both males and females. Professional dominants provide sexual services for those unable to find a compatible partner for this activity.