General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I'm The Duke University Freshman Porn Star And For The First Time I'm Telling The Story In My Words [View all]OilemFirchen
(7,146 posts)I will suggest, however, that the simple act of coitus is, by its nature, invasive and includes some element of dominance and submission. That throughout history representations of BDSM have been a staple of some erotica suggests that it's a natural component of sexuality that some (perhaps many) find stimulating.
I call bollocks on anyone asserting that BDSM has been "mainstreamed". A cursory glimpse of any free streaming porn site would show that the genre is still considered fetish. However, dominatrix-oriented themes are growing in popularity. I suspect that some consumers of erotica have always found an appeal in female domination, but it's only recently that norms have been relaxed to accommodate that niche. The BDSM of the mid-twentieth century likely filled that need by having women play both roles by proxy. Look at the attire - it was clearly a substitute for male/female dominance and submission during an especially prudish era.
BTW, I think your understanding of the porn industry is outdated. While there are certainly large producers that remain male-owned and likely hostile to their employees, the internet has opened a burgeoning market for men, women and couples who profit from a growing interest in amateur, erotic and fetish porn. That's being mainstreamed.