What is the structure of kink identity? Using a thematic analysis design, our study explored this question through 70 in-person interviews with adults 18 years and older living in Northern California who identified as kinky. Four key themes of kink identity emerged from our analysis: sex, power, headspace, and community. Although there were great variety and diversity in how these four themes were characterized -- both as separate and overlapping themes, we were able to conceptually group these themes into seven discrete subthemes based on how our 70 participants narrativized their kink experiences during interviews: (1) intertwining of kink and sex; (2) intense physical sensations (SM); (3) sensual experiences (fetish); (4) eroticizing power differentials; (5) fluidity vs stability of power role in kink activities and relationships; (6) community connections; and (7) headspace or altered states of consciousness. That our thematic analysis developed into these seven subthemes suggests that kink identity is a multidimensional structure of complex and diverse aspects.

Few studies have systematically examined the relationship between kink behaviors and sexual behaviors, yet even these preliminary studies indicate that the relationship is complex and that there is a notable diversity in how people construct the boundaries of sex and kink and the relationship between them. As part of a grounded theory study of kink identity, the current study examined how 70 kink-identified participants from Northern California discussed their experience and understanding of the relationship between kink and sex in interviews conducted in 2014 and 2015. Findings indicated seven themes: kink flowing into sex, kink as spice for sexual interactions, kink and sex as connection and intimacy, kink and sex as an expression of erotic energy, kink and sex as an expression of power exchange, kink as spiritual, and kink as freedom. Findings indicated that sexual orientation and gender identity may influence how people understand and experience the relationship between kink and sex.

Rosalind Gill is a British sociologist and cultural theorist who has authored ten books and seventy journal articles. Gill’s 2007 book, Gender and the Media, analyzes the effects of feminism on media culture, production, and research. She focuses her analysis specifically on how feminist discourse has impacted the platforms of advertising, the news, television talk shows, magazines, and romance literature. Her book has a three-pronged aim: to provide a critical perspective of representations of gender in the Western mediascape, to consider the theoretical perspectives and methodologies that have been used in the study of gender in the media, and to confront the media interventions that have been assumed as effective responses to feminist critiques. Gill refers to these media interventions as postfeminist sensibilities and doubts whether these are successful strategies for promoting gender parity in the media. Because this monograph was published over ten years ago, it may be useful to consider as both a synopsis of trends up until 2007 and a precursor to the current issues in gender and media studies today.

The following essay addresses the logic of inquiry and research design of sociologist Lauren A. Rivera’s 2008 research article, Managing “Spoiled” National Identity: War, Tourism, and Memory in Croatia. Rivera’s study suggests a new theoretical model for understanding state-level impression-management strategies with focus on how the Croatian government covered up their war-torn past to safeguard their future. The theoretical significance of this research project for Rivera is to learn more about the process of cultural and historical representation and how states come to manage and mediate their international standing following reputation-damaging historical events.