Fifty Shades of Grey and it’s Problematic Portrayal of BDSM

  

Fifty Shades of Grey, both the book series and subsequent film adaptations, took the world by storm, creating a cultural phenomenon. While the story aimed to explore the realm of BDSM (Bondage, Discipline, Dominance, Submission, Sadism, Masochism) relationships, it faced significant backlash from the BDSM community and others due to its inaccurate and problematic portrayal. In this article, we will delve into the reasons why Fifty Shades of Grey is often criticised for it's misrepresentation of BDSM dynamics, the condemnation it has faced from the BDSM community, and its blatant disregard for safe and consensual practices.

  

 

Success & Statistics

 

Before we analyse why Fifty Shades offers a very disturbing portrayal of real life BDSM relationships, let’s take a look at some of the numbers and statistics involved in the Fifty Shades franchise.

 

• Book Sales: The Fifty Shades trilogy, written by E.L. James, has sold over 150 million copies worldwide as of 2020 (source: Publisher's Weekly). 

 

• Translated Languages: The books have been translated into more than 50 languages, highlighting their global reach and popularity (source: Penguin Random House).

 

• Box Office Success: The film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey, released in 2015, grossed over $571 million worldwide (source: Box Office Mojo). The entire film trilogy, including Fifty Shades Darker (2017) and Fifty Shades Freed (2018), accumulated a total global box office revenue of over $1.3 billion (source: Box Office Mojo).

 

• Worldwide Audience: Fifty Shades of Grey attracted a wide audience. In its opening weekend, the film was seen by an estimated 35 million viewers globally (source: The Guardian).

 

• Soundtrack Success: The soundtrack for Fifty Shades of Grey, featuring popular artists like The Weeknd, Ellie Goulding, and Beyoncé, reached the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom (source: Billboard).

 

• Digital Sales and Rentals: On its digital release, Fifty Shades of Grey became one of the fastest-selling digital downloads, with over 2.9 million rentals and purchases in its first week (source: Universal Pictures).

 

• Trilogy Impact: The Fifty Shades trilogy played a significant role in popularising erotic fiction and influencing subsequent works in the genre, leading to a surge in sales and interest in BDSM-themed literature (source: The Guardian).

 

 

It is important to note that while these statistics reflect the widespread impact of the franchise, opinions regarding the quality and representation of the books and films within the BDSM community and beyond have been highly varied. Some say that it was had as positive impact due to how it sparked discussions and debates around topics like consent, power dynamics, and BDSM within popular culture and society. Others condemned outright the negative portrayal it displayed and it’s blatant disregard for consent and communication practices within a BDSM relationship and it's blatant disregard to safewords.

 

 

What exactly is a Safeword?

Safewords are a fundamental pillar of the BDSM community, representing the crucial concept of consent and ensuring the safety and well-being of all parties involved. In BDSM, safewords are agreed-upon words or signals that participants can use to communicate comfort levels, boundaries, and the need to stop or slow down during a scene or activity. Here's why safewords are of utmost importance:

 

Clear Communication

Safewords offer a clear and unambiguous method of communication within BDSM dynamics. They provide a way for individuals engaged in power exchange or intense activities to articulate their limits, desires, and comfort levels effectively. This helps ensure that all participants are on the same page and consent is continuously maintained.

 

Establishing Boundaries

Safewords allow individuals to set and communicate their boundaries even before engaging in BDSM activities. By establishing boundaries and explicitly stating what is off-limits or requires caution, safewords enable everyone involved to engage in consensual play within their comfort zones.

 

Trust and Empowerment

The existence of safewords builds trust among participants, knowing that they have the power to control the intensity and progression of an activity. It empowers individuals, allowing them to explore their desires and engage in BDSM dynamics with confidence, knowing they can express their limits and freely signal discomfort.

 

Providing Safety and Consent

Safewords serve as essential safety measures in BDSM scenes. They help prevent potential harm or crossing of boundaries, ensuring that activities remain within the agreed parameters. Having a safeword reminds all involved parties that consent can be withdrawn at any moment, creating a safe and consensual environment for exploration and play.

 

Respecting Personal Limits

The use of safewords encourages open and ongoing communication, fostering an environment that respects personal limits and boundaries. It enables participants to push their own boundaries within a context of trust, knowing they have the power to halt or modify activities if things get too much for them.

 

 

Problematic Portrayal of BDSM

One of the most glaring issues with Fifty Shades of Grey is how it fundamentally misrepresents BDSM relationships. It fails to convey the fundamental principles of communication, consent, and respect that are crucial in these dynamics. The storyline centers around a domineering billionaire, Christian Grey, who engages in a highly controlling and manipulative relationship with Anastasia Steele, a somewhat naïve and inexperienced college graduate. This power dynamic quickly becomes volatile and toxic, straying far from the principles of trust, negotiation, and equal power that underpin healthy BDSM relationships.

 

The BDSM Community's Condemnation

 

The BDSM community, which actively promotes safe, consensual, and ethical practices, has strongly criticized Fifty Shades of Grey for perpetuating harmful stereotypes and misconceptions about their lifestyle. Many within the community argue that the book and subsequent film romanticize abusive behavior rather than presenting an accurate depiction of BDSM relationships. They express concerns that the portrayal of Christian Grey as a romantic hero perpetuates the misconception that BDSM relationships are inherently abusive or non-consensual.

 

Disregard for Safe Words

 

A major issue with Fifty Shades of Grey is its improper handling of safe words. Safe words are essential in BDSM practices, allowing participants to communicate their limits and ensure consent is maintained at all times. However, in the film, Ana initially agrees to use the safe word "Red" but later, the character of Christian Grey ignores her use of the safe word during a scene of intense BDSM play. This demonstrates a total disregard for the importance of boundaries and consent in BDSM relationships, further reinforcing the damaging narrative of non-consensual and harmful behavior.

 

Examples from the Film

 

Throughout the film, there are several examples that highlight the problematic nature of the portrayal of BDSM dynamics:

 

Manipulation and Coercion

Christian Grey often manipulates and coerces Ana into actions she is uncomfortable with, blurring the lines of consent. He pushes her boundaries without proper communication and negotiation, portraying an unhealthy and non-consensual power dynamic. As the story progresses, Anna actually begins to hide things from Christian out of fear of his jealousy and anger.

 

Lack of Education and Communication

The film fails to adequately address the importance of education, communication, negotiation, and aftercare that are integral to BDSM relationships. These elements ensure that participants are fully informed, aware of their rights, and engaged in consensual practices.

 

Misrepresentation of Dominance and Submission

The depiction of dominance and submission in the film is overly extreme, implying that submission involves losing all agency and autonomy, while dominance is exerting complete control without regard for the submissive's desires or limits. This portrayal perpetuates stereotypes of BDSM as an abusive and one-sided power dynamic.

 

 

Conclusion

The Fifty Shades of Grey franchise equates BDSM desires and practices with psychological issues and trauma, implying that individuals who engage in BDSM are inherently damaged or disturbed. This negative portrayal perpetuates stigmatisation and misunderstandings around BDSM, promoting harmful stereotypes and reinforcing societal biases against alternative sexual expressions. As mentioned previously, the movie displays scenes where Christian ignores Anastasia's use of a safe word during sexual encounters. This disregard for boundaries and safeguards sends a dangerous message that it is acceptable to ignore or override a partner's physical and emotional limits, undermining the foundational principles of consent and safety in BDSM relationships.

 

It is important to note that the examples highlighted in this article bring to light the problematic representation of BDSM in Fifty Shades of Grey and do not reflect the diverse and consensual nature of BDSM relationships in reality. It is essential to recognise that healthy BDSM relationships are rooted in communication, consent, negotiation, and mutual respect. It is crucial to promote accurate and responsible representations of BDSM in popular culture to dispel harmful stereotypes and foster an understanding of consensual and ethical practices within the BDSM community and within D/s relationships.