What professions are most vulnerable to BDSM?

[slavelucy]

[QUOTE=GaryWilcox]My family would not let me around my nephews and nieces, I'm certain, if they knew.[QUOTE]

Hmmm, maybe i SHOULD admit my interest/involvement in BDSM then - i'd love to not be around my nephews and nieces, horrible little brats that they are! LOL

As for my job, i wouldn't be fired, but i'd be more concerned about people not taking me seriously and merely thinking 'kinky slut' every time i opened my mouth (er...to speak that is! )

sl

P.S. Gary - not to worry, if you get kicked out, you can always come and live with me, we have a couple of spare rooms - no Chihuahua's tho, sorry!

[lola]

I am always shocked when I read about people who hide who they really are from the world because they are afraid of the repercussions. I work in a very open minded industry and frankly, it might get me more work if people knew about my private life. I happen to keep it private because, it is no one else's business but, I don't hide it.

[ValKyrie]

I am not sure I understand how using discretion to preserve your livelihood is "shocking."

In a work environment where physical violence is is seen as in indicator of instability, mental illness and abuse, not sharing BDSM tendencies seems to be a sound decision. If you really believed a teacher was abusive or crazy, would you want them teaching your children? What if it were you doctor?

On the flip side of the discussion, my sub has come out at work. He works in law enforcement. I find it interesting that in that environment he gets many questions, jokes and serious inquiries, rather than condemnation. In fact, a fair number of his co workers are just envious. Hmmm........an occupational thing, perhaps?

[lola]

I am not sure I understand how using discretion to preserve your livelihood is "shocking."

In a work environment where physical violence is is seen as in indicator of instability, mental illness and abuse, not sharing BDSM tendencies seems to be a sound decision. If you really believed a teacher was abusive or crazy, would you want them teaching your children? What if it were you doctor?

On the flip side of the discussion, my sub has come out at work. He works in law enforcement. I find it interesting that in that environment he gets many questions, jokes and serious inquiries, rather than condemnation. In fact, a fair number of his co workers are just envious. Hmmm........an occupational thing, perhaps?

I didn't mean that I was shocked that the person was hiding their private life but, rather that they HAD to hide their life. I guess I always hope that people are more accepting of others than they really are.

[ValKyrie]

I didn't mean that I was shocked that the person was hiding their private life but, rather that they HAD to hide their life. I guess I always hope that people are more accepting of others than they really are.

Thank you for clarifying, Lola.

Yes, in a perfect world, people could accept one another as they are without passing judgement. I do believe that as BDSM becomes more mainstream, we will be more free to be open about our lifestyle. However, I don't want to know how my boss fucks and don't feel a need to reveal how I share intimacy with the love of my life, even if what I do is socially acceptable. As you said, some things are just meant to be private.

[lola]

I would guess that any fringy, marginalized group would be in the same boat as the kinksters as far as "persecution" goes. I thank my lucky stars that I live in a place that is open minded and free thinking and that my family is too. I have to remind myself of that fact every now and then and this is just one of those times.