Punishing a Slave

The problem of punishment in master/slave relationships depends on the conditions of submission and it presents us with some moral considerations. What we often and sometimes humorously call punishment is just part of fantasy SM play, wherein a top sets up impossible conditions or a submissive rebels to generate reprisals, both desiring the results. It is understood in the SM community that a free bottom usually does not expect or accept real punishment from a top unless certain pre-scene conditions have been negotiated. But there is a very thin and movable line between the consensual submission and pleasurable suffering of an SM/slave scene and punishment. When does suffering in SM become perceived as punishment - when does it go too far? When a top/master has exceeded the limits that were set prior to the scene. But a slave doesn't have limits as do free bottoms. Here, I wish to speak of real punishment that is set apart from SM.

The submission of a slave to punishment may not be SM, but it is still a part of a master/slave relationship that makes it a psychologically greater submission than bottoms usually give to tops. A person who is willing to be punished has reached a level of submission that can be considered a slave mentality. There is a difference of more than degree. A slave is willing to serve a master exclusively for the master's pleasure, gaining pleasure in service, whatever that may be.

One can give up rights willingly. Even our laws allow citizens to waive certain rights, but there is no legal right to waive all our rights. The state still has a compelling interest in our bodies. Whether we like it or not, we do not entirely own our bodies. But we need not always consider the letter of these laws. A willing commitment between partners should morally override these laws. This agreement must be kept private because the courts will not recognize this moral right.

Under what conditions and circumstances should a slave be punished? Only when a slave understands and willingly submits to conditions that allow hir master the right to punish can it be permissible. If a slave gives hir master that control over hir life, then the ability to punish and correct becomes the master's right and responsibility. But it is only morally right that a slave must know these conditions. Then if a slave violates the contractual conditions, hir should know that punishment will ensue.

The right of a master to punish is a tremendous responsibility - as much as a parent to a child. But slaves aren't children; they often have a considerable knowledge of themselves and the master, good self-esteem and mental strength. They must have these qualities to be a good slave, content in a submissive relationship. A master has a moral obligation to inform a slave of what constitutes infractions of their agreement. Punishment should not be applied at a whim, but only for real infractions of the rules. And punishment must have a rationale and limits - it should be a corrective. Even a total slave does not deserve abuse that comes from anger or inconsideration that a slave is a human being. A master who becomes emotionally dysfunctional and abusive has forfeited his right to own a slave. But a master does have a right to be angry and express it when hir slave violates their agreements and trust.

A willing slave doesn't feel the need for real punishment or mistreatment and has the right to end the relationship when it no longer fulfills hir needs. A healthy slave only wants punishment when hir knows hir has violated the master's rules. Those who have issues of worthlessness and desire real punishment may have mental problems and are real masochists who need psychological help - they should not be playing SM, and certainly should not be slaves. A slave isn't a worthless piece of shit, but should be considered a valuable piece of property. A master doesn't look down on hir slave. A master who believes hirself superior isn't being realistic, nor is a slave who feels inferior.

Dominance/submission and superiority/inferiority have little relation, except in real life.

How can a willing, submissive sex slave be punished? Aside from the old saw about denying them a beating, what can realistically be done to punish a slave for infractions of their contract?

When and how should punishment be delivered that sets it apart from the psuedo-punishment of SM/slave scenes? A slave should be informed that hir will be punished before its administration. Then, a master may inflict some treatment on the slave that hir knows the slave doesn't like or deny some preferred treatment or privilege. Some Masters subject their slaves to brutal SM, far beyond the amount that the slave is accustomed to, particularly those stimulations that the slave usually doesn't like, and after that may refuse to comfort the slave, leaving hir alone to suffer and consider the consequences. Alternatively, tedious and boring non-sexual, non-SM tasks, such as hard physical labor and perhaps sleep deprivation, may be assigned the slave or the denial of food and other needs or privileges. I strongly suggest that punishment not be part of SM practice. SM should be beneficial, fun, pleasurable, cathartic, etc., perhaps the common glue that binds the master/slave relationship together. So real punishment should not be associated with SM. Yet punishment is a part of the master/slave relationship and can perhaps only work within that context.