Nature operates according to its own inherent logic. Every male animal is driven by an instinct to conquer and protect its female counterparts, while every female animal has an innate desire to be conquered and protected by males. This dynamic is essential for the survival and propagation of species, a genetic blueprint embedded in them by the Creator. Likewise, human beings—men and women alike—carry these same instincts: to conquer and to be conquered, to protect and to be protected. This duality lies at the heart of what we call the human SM (sadomasochism) complex. In essence, SM is a deep-seated desire springing from the core of both men and women, forming the foundation of sexual attraction.

At its core, SM is a sexual role-playing game. In this dynamic, one partner takes on the role of the dominant “controller” (a master or mistress), while the other embodies the submissive “controlled” (a male or female slave). This interplay of power between men and women can be fleeting, sustained over time, or even lifelong—such as in a marriage.

The most common way SM manifests is through sexual foreplay. Picture this: a man and a woman in the bedroom, one playing the “S” (master) and the other the “M” (slave), engaging in passionate interaction. This role-playing element heightens the experience, offering both partners an unparalleled level of sexual stimulation and elevating the quality of their intimacy. For this reason, SM is often seen as an artful form of foreplay—sometimes even dubbed “cosplay in the bedroom.”

SM also takes another form known as “training.” In this scenario, two people (or occasionally more) participate: one acts as the “S” (master), issuing commands, while the other, the “M” (slave), follows them. You might have seen scenes like this in Western films—a woman pretending to be a dog being fed by someone, or a man acting as a horse ridden by a woman (yes, even Princess Diana reportedly tried this, with videos circulating online). Training can also happen virtually, with participants connecting online. This type of SM is considered more “advanced”—it might not involve sex or even physical touch, focusing instead on psychological fulfillment.

In the past, SM was widely viewed as a perverse deviation, something people felt ashamed to admit even if they enjoyed it. But today, society has come to recognize it as a natural part of human sexual instinct. People now approach it with openness rather than taboo. Since the latter half of the 20th century, SM has steadily gained acceptance and popularity, stepping out of the shadows and into mainstream culture. A turning point came in 2015 when the novel *Fifty Shades of Grey* was adapted into a film, screened in mainstream theaters worldwide and even winning awards. Nowadays, it’s not uncommon to see female celebrities proudly wearing “slave collars” at award ceremonies (see image below). This evolving societal attitude toward SM is a testament to the progress and enlightenment of human civilization!