SEXUALITY AND SOCIAL ISSUES IN FIFTY SHADES OF GREY

Sexuality and Social Issues within the Fifty Shades of Grey Films

By Cassandra Moffat

With the final installment of the Fifty Shades of Grey films scheduled for a February 2018 release, a dialogue of the psychology contained within the previous films seems fitting. To some, the story of Christian Grey presents subjects that are taboo, while others see it as a trashy romance with elements of soft porn. Yet, in spite of public opinion the story has managed to create its own pop–culture mythology with millions of books and tickets sold. Throughout the series there are issues of child abuse, rape, violence, differing family systems, and the process of change in what it means to be human. For the purpose of this article, I touch on two main topics, including the portrayal of violence against women and the portrayal of BDSM within the films.

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN While some look at the history of Christian Grey and see a storage unit of psychological baggage, others focus on how violence against women is portrayed throughout the films. One study in particular claims that “Fifty Shades of Grey is a lesson in Fifty Shades of Abuse” (Bonomi, Altenburger Walton, 2013).

There are two poular views that seem to be associated with the character of Christian Grey. The first is that he is a victim of physical abuse as a child by his mother and sexual abuse by his adoptive mother’s friend. Others focus on his controlling personality and his need for violence toward woman. Yet, there may be a false equivalency at work here. Not all abuse victims grow up to be sexually maladaptive or manipulative.

According to Bonomi et al.(2013), the relationship between Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele “is characterized by intimate partner violence.” The conclusions of that study found that “emotional abuse is present in nearly every interaction, including: stalking, intimidation and isolation” (Bonomi et al., 2013, p. 733). Indeed, throughout the films, the act of stalking is committed on multiple occasions by Christian. For instance, he is able to locate Ana several times without her having previously disclosed her whereabouts. Moreover, Christian uses intimidating verbal commands in an attempt to manipulate or influence Ana’s behaviors, often isolating her from her friends. In a written contract he creates for their relationship, she is to spend allotted days with him exclusively during the week away from her social supports. He also makes his frustrations apparent when she is spending time with others and not him, which leads Ana to avoid any social interactions without Christian. He showers Ana with lavish gifts that she does not want, and despite her pleas for him to discontinue the gifts, he continues to push them upon her.

Anastasia’s reactions to Christian are “consistent with those of battered women, including perceived threat, managing, altered identity, yearning, entrapment, and disempowerment” (Bonomi et al., 2013, p. 737). In one particular scene, Anastasia is horrified after her first experience in the “red room,” a place where Christian takes his “submissives” to engage in intercourse. Following this, she worries that he will continue to hurt her and that is when she ultimately decides to leave him in the first film. Instances of managing perceived threats are evidenced when Ana begins to avoid social outings without Christian altogether. Anastasia later notes that her identity has become altered and feels that she has lost herself in Christian. She attempts to rectify the situation

when she leaves Christian, but the pattern persists as she then agrees to go back to him.

Ana demonstrates sexual yearning and lust throughout both films, but more importantly she has a desire to “establish intimacy and a normal relationship” (Bonomi, et al., 2013, 738). This is apparent in her attempts to conform their relationship to what she defines as “normal,” such as sleeping in the same bed and going on dates. Christian eventually provides these concessions to her, leaving one to wonder if this is further manipulation. In spite of Ana’s efforts, Christian continues to make comments about how he does not want to share her with others. He then threatens to punish her if she disobeys. While the sexual manipulation unfolds, Christian begins to disclose his past. He describes his childhood trauma so that it “allows Ana to rationalize Christian’s abusive tactics to be a result of his troubled past” and she then feels that it is her duty to save him from his past and present self (Bonomi et al., 2013, p. 739).

Dis-empowerment occurs during their sexual encounters. Christian admits that the “submissive” can say “no” at any time, but this does not seem to matter during her “punishments.” Ana acknowledges that at times she enjoys them, but often becomes upset afterward leaving her feeling powerless and robbed of choice. Reviewing the books and films in this light presents reasonable explanations as to why people are concerned that media presented in this way condones and glorifies violence toward women.

BDSM Another controversial topic that Fifty Shades of Grey has presented is that of the BDSM lifestyle. While knowledge of this taboo topic should be provided, it should also be discussed in a way that is accurately depicting the lifestyle.

BDSM is actually an abbreviation for three different styles. All together it stands for “Bondage and Discipline [BD], Dominance and Submission [DS], [and] Sadism and Masochism [SM]” (Freeburg & McNaughton, 2017). The dyad with the most cultural recognition is Sadism and masochism. The “S” is often capitalized and the “m” is often in lower case in order to describe the role between the two persons engaging in this style, which involves “pleasure derived from suffering, be it physical or psychological” (Freeburg & McNaughton, 2017). Domination and submission (D/s) emphasizes “a power differential between the two individuals, which may be expressed through S/m or bondage and discipline” (Freeburg & McNaughton, 2017). Examples of this would be tying arms and legs to secure objects, which is prevalent in the series. Throughout the BDSM community it is

known that the SCC model (safe, sane, consensual) or the RACK model (Risk Aware Consensual Kink) should be established prior to engaging in these sexual activities. These models were put into place to ensure consent prior to engagement, provide established limits and boundaries, recognizing risks (emotional and physical), and to discuss outcomes of the potential risks (Stein, 2002).

Christian identifies as a “sadistic Dom,” meaning that he “receives pleasure from inflicting pain” (Freeburg & McNaughton, 2017). However, while it seems that Ana may enjoy some of these activities, “she does not seem to derive much pleasure from receiving pain” (Freeburg & McNaughton, 2017). Christian engages in sexual activities without adhering to the models of SCC or RACK, which means he does not have her consent. With the inaccurate depiction that Fifty Shades of Grey has presented of the BDSM world, it seems that those who do accept the choice of BDSM are misrepresented by “negative stereotyping and an overall complete misunderstanding of their sexual interactions” (Green, 2015).

While some may be excited about BDSM being thrust into the spotlight, they do not realize that popularity of the topic does not necessarily imply that people will be accepting of it. Indeed, the films have created a paradox for those who are a part of the “kink” community. For some this can provide an opportunity to openly discuss other activities that might enhance their sexual relationships and encounters. On the other hand, the movie portrays “the denigrative stereotype that an interest in BDSM, kink or fetishes is derivative of childhood abuse or qualifies someone as mentally–ill” (Schrupp, 2015, para. 9). This is apparent in the film when they discuss Christian’s trauma–filled past with his BDSM lifestyle. The film suggests that BDSM is a “psychopathology rooted in trauma” (Freeburg & McNaughton, 2017). By treating this choice of lifestyle as something that is a mental illness, people begin to see it as a perversion that needs diagnosed, treated and cured, despite studies showing that “kinksters are psychologically balanced, have beneficial personality characteristics, and possess higher levels of well–being than their vanilla counterparts” (Wismeijer & Van Assen, 2013, p. 111).

For what it’s worth, the DSM–V contains disorders such as Sexual Masochism disorder and Sexual Sadism disorder with the main criteria being that the “fantasies, urges, or behaviors cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning, or, more significantly, if physical or psychological suffering has been inflicted on a non–consenting” person (APA, 2013).

However, with such a negative outlook on the BDSM lifestyle it is not uncommon for a person to feel distress over the urges they experience. Moreover, is it actually the urges causing the distress or the societal disapproval of the urges? Despite the claim from some that Fifty Shades of Grey somehow legitimizes or elevates the discussion about sex, BDSM, and partner–on–partner violence, it may be deeply impacting those of the BDSM community into thinking that they and their choices are somehow equated with pathology.

Human sexuality and sexual behavior is a far more multifaceted thing than any psychological theory or study can accurately reflect. Sex and sexuality is a response to our being needed, wanting love, and an acknowledgement of our physical existence with others. The complexity of the human psyche and the pervasiveness of sex, both in our minds and in

REFERENCES

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Bonomi, A. E., Altenburger, L. E., & Walton, N. L. (2013). “Double Crap!” Abuse and Harmed Identity in Fifty Shades of Grey. Journal of Women's Health, 22(9), 733-744. doi:10.1089/ jwh.2013.4344

Foley, J., Luca, M. D., James, E. L., Brunetti, D., & Viscidi, M. (Writers). (2017). Fifty Shades Darker [Video file].

Freeburg, M. N., & Mcnaughton, M. J. (2017). Fifty shades of Grey: implications for counseling BDSM clients. VISTAS online. Retrieved April 10, 2017 .

Green, E. (2015, February 10). Consent isn’t enough: The troubling sex of Fifty Shades. The Atlantic. [Online newspaper] Schrupp, L. (2015, February 14). Beyond 50 Shades of Grey: Are kink and BDSM following in the footsteps of the LGBTQ movement? [Online forum]. Retrieved from https://collectively.org/article/50-shades-of-grey-lgbtq-gay-rights/

Stein, D. (2002). Safe sane consensual: The making of a shibboleth. [Online editorial]. Retrieved from http://www.boybear.us.scc.pdf

Taylor-Wood, S., Luca, M. D., James, E. L., Brunetti, D., & Marcel, K. (Writers). (2015). Fifty shades of Grey [Video file].

Wismeijer, A. A., & Van Assen, M. A. (2013). Psychological characteristics of BDSM practitioners. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 10(8), 1943-1952. doi:10.1111/jsm.12192

the collective understanding, mean the pendulum of human sexual desires swings too wide and far to be effectively contained or explained. With the exception of laws that understandably prevent harm coming to innocent people, what further explanation do we need? 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Cassandra Moffat is an Evaluator Clinician at Resolve Crisis Network. She has worked in the mental health field since 2012 in varying capacities. Cassandra graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and recently graduated from Carlow University with a Master’s in Professional Counseling. She is currently a first year doctorate student pursing a degree in Counseling Psychology.