Submissive or Slave

I frequently see the distinction between these two roles of submissive and slave getting muddied and misconstrued to the point that it is extremely difficult to see any meaningful difference between them and the labels end up being used interchangeably. I realize that labels and language change with culture, region, dialect, and person but I find it helpful to have definitive and logical distinctions between differing labels so that communication can be enhanced rather than confused.

Labels like submissive, sub, or subby can all be looked at as interchangeable because they are all based on the same word, Some may use them as differing levels or types of submissive but they are all obviously based on the submissive label. When a completely new word is introduced then it becomes important to make certain that the meaning doesn't stay the same or there is no point in having a new word. If it is merely a matter of degree of the one word then a prefix or adjective is a much more logical way of defining it.

If the two labels are to be used to define and indicate two different roles then it is important to understand the difference between them. I have heard many say that the difference is in whether or not the submissive is owned or not. This, however does not indicate a difference in the role merely a difference in the status of the individual so this can not be the defining difference between them. Some say that the difference is a matter of choice. A submissive chooses to submit and a slave doesn't. In most of the countries in the world, everyone has choice. Forced slavery is illegal and certainly can be talked about openly like it is so that can't truly be the distinction. I have heard others say that it is a matter of limits. A submissive has limits and a slave does not. This doesn't seem to hold true for the people that consider themselves a sex slave or a service slave. Also, very few people are able to give up authority for all aspects of their being to the point that they have no limits so, if there is validity in this, I would think it is much more in the reason that they are able to give up all authority. I have even heard some come soooo close to a distinction in using a desire to serve to distinguish between a true submissive and a wannabe sub. The problem here is that many of those wannabe subs will still serve there Dominant and they are submitting to the Dominants will by choice. Wanting to do this actually means that they want to serve.

All of these idea hover around the motivation of the submissive or slave and I believe that the true distinction between the roles lies within this area. The thing that all of these attempts at distinction hover around is focus. If the submissive or slave is owned, why would they choose that and why would they choose not to? If the person is choosing to submit or doing it because they are told to, what is the significant difference in there focus when it comes to a relationship? If this person chooses to relinquish ALL authority over EVERY aspect of their being or they choose to retain some semblance of autonomy over their own choices and experiences, what is the difference in focus? Since both submissive and slave are submissive in nature and action, I tend to think that the distinguishing and defining characteristic tends to lay within the answer to this question. What is their focus? One of the most telling of these attempts is actually the no limits slave as it indicates the distinction in focus quite clearly. A submissive wishes to maintain some authority and control over their experience so they are focused very clearly on what they are going to do and get out of the experience. A slave gives up all authority to another and focuses on what the Dominant wants out of the experience. They focus on another above themselves.

Basically, both roles require a person that is submissive but, as a role, the submissive is giving up authority for themselves in some limited fashion to gain the thrill of doing something that they wouldn't allow themselves to do otherwise. They gain pleasure and excitement out of transferring authority for their actions to someone else knowing that they will be told to do things that they would blame themselves for if they chose to do them on their own. This frees them from self blame and judgement and allows them to become as wild as they would like. In this format they can tell themselves that what they are doing is out of their control. But their focus is on what they get out of it.

A slave enjoys this freedom from self condemnation as well but they are primarily focused on pleasing someone else. For them, submitting to a Master gives them someone to focus their service on and that is what gives their life meaning. They are looking for someone to focus on in some or all areas of their life. In essence, this is the fundamental motivation and driving force that allows a person to become a no limits slave.

Although both roles are remarkably similar in many aspects, the truly defining feature that differentiates the people in them is in fact the focus. If you are wondering what you are and what to define yourself as, consider what you are focused on. Are you looking to have someone provide you with freedom of self responsibility or are you looking to find someone to serve and devote your life to. The answer to this question will tell you whether you are a submissive or slave. Understand that there is crossover in focus but it is the primary and driving motivation that makes the difference.