serendipity
Executioner
Eulalia, I think you hit the nail on its head. I believe the assumption that women are necessarily exploited or objectified in fantasy scenes as depicted and described here is false, and disempowering to those who, as yourself, engage for personal gratification. I like to believe that those who participate in this kink fulfill erotic desires that often include infliction or reception of pain within limits and generally involves submission -- in the purest sense a balanced exchange between the tormentor and the tormented -- as equals, without regard for gender. Language that implies RL gratification from seeing another actually suffer is disgusting. For me the line is drawn where I detect a level of disregard for respect, including self-respect.Being a sub/ slavegirl/ masochist, putting up with pain, is, necessarily, hard, it's not for wimps, and in that sense it is 'empowering' -
I know that Amy, and others in those Red Feline films are certainly strong women, physically and as persons.
In RL, I'm deeply against exploitation and maltreatment of women, and I do worry that our fantasies might prompt impressionable types to act them out in RL - but I think the very obviously fantastic, and quite often humorous, style of our Forums marks us off very clearly from the worst kinds of really misogynistic porn.
I don't identify with feminism - at least not in its most strident forms - I firmly believe that we women should be treated respectfully and as equals, and obstacles to opportunities should be broken down - but I accept that 'masculine' and 'feminine' strengths and qualities are different, and although many women have ''masculine' qualities I don't think we should expect or want that women should take on traditionally male roles in equal numbers to men - we shouldn't be prevented, but we shouldn't measure our success by becoming interchangeable with men, rather we should be valued as women.
Perhaps the most satisfying encounters leave us in awe... perhaps perspiring and somewhat breathless for a time. Then RL resumes...