Introduction

 

Why are some people into spanking?  (As used here, the term “spanking” is to be understood as applying to such similar disciplinary forms of behavior as paddling, caning, etc.).  This question has been asked since at least the beginning of the modern era of psychology by investigators such as Sigmund Freud and Richard Krafft-Ebing, and some interesting theories have been propounded, but a completely satisfactory explanation of this and related fetishes has not, in my view, yet been put forward (see appendix 1 for some references on the subject).  Certainly this form of behavior itself goes back much further than any attempt to understand it, with the ancient Romans almost openly indulging in S & M practices, and probably has existed to some extent across most or all cultures, being unfortunately not very well documented in many of them.

 

     The question as posed above is really too broad to answer since it covers such a large variety of behaviors; therefore I will attempt to break it down into more manageable pieces from which some larger generalizations may then be reached.  It seems that at a minimum any theory should attempt to answer the following questions, which arise quite naturally from even casual consideration:

 

1.  Is there a connection between adult spanking and sexuality, and, if so, what is the nature of this connection? 

2.  Why is only a minority of the population affected by these desires?

3.  Why is it that a larger proportion of men than women in the scene exhibit “switchable” fantasies and behavior?  (Note:  I am aware that this question contains an assumption where there are no scientifically valid statistics, but there are several surveys and estimates to the effect that more men than women are “switchable”, and we must do the best we can with whatever data are at hand.  Besides, almost anyone who has been in the scene for any length of time will confirm this estimate, based on personal observation).

4.  What is responsible for the great variety in both fantasies and observed behavior?  That is, why are there so many different styles of play (from the rather sensual to strict and punitive) involving differences in scenario, implements, positions, and methods?  Do they have enough in common to suggest they are different forms of the same behavior rather than completely unrelated in origin and function?

 

In attempting to answer these questions, a relatively informal approach has been followed, as devoid of jargon as possible, since the author has the general reader rather than the trained specialist in mind.  Certainly this monograph would never pass muster in a peer-reviewed journal, nor does the author have any intention of publicly taking credit for its contents.  Nonetheless, the work is intended to provide fresh insight and fertile ground for further investigation, so a balance between intellectual rigor and sprightly presentation has been sought.

 

(Chicago, April 2004)