Full Question: What’s the difference between submissive and slave?
Answer:
I’ve been hanging on to this question for a while, because while I have a viewpoint, labels and definitions in BDSM often have contention to them. There is no one definition for these terms within the BDSM and kink lifestyle. It’s individually defined. Generally, people use slave to mean some level of deeper commitment, but that’s not a hard and fast rule. And I don’t feel this is accurate for all people.
If you like book definitions, submissive is an adjective describing a personality trait. A slave is a noun. Some slaves have submissive personalities; some don’t.
Here are some quotes related to these definitions, which will demonstrate the variety of definitions these two terms have for people.
‘A submissive finds enjoyment in obeying a Dominant, whereas a slave finds purpose in living for them.’
‘A submissive will strive to become the best version of themselves for their Dominant, whereas a slave will become whatever their Master wants.’
‘A submissive chooses to submit every time. A slave chooses once.’
‘A slave can be submissive, but a submissive can not be a slave.’
Clear as mud, right? Whatever anyone chooses as their label, they will apply their definition to that label.
