Is spanking necessary in a taken in hand relationship?

Stephen explains why the answer is “yes” for many Taken In Hand couples.

My Review of Laura Doyle's "The Surrendered Wife"

If you have read the book, what did you think of it?

Is spanking always sexual?

In a Taken In Hand relationship, is spanking always sexual? Or is it sometimes definitely not sexual? Yes, it's more on this long-running debate. (Try not to groan!)

Coming unravelled (or not)

Moving house, and especially to a completely new area, can make some marriages come unravelled. But if the two of you handle conflict like this couple...

How to not to please a Taken In Hand customer!

Blush on when a waitress got it horribly wrong.

The man ordering for the woman in restaurants

Lisa explains how delighted she feels by the little acts of chivalry Rich does for her, including ordering for her in restuarants.

The Night Porter: movie review

Not a film for the faint-hearted, but if you have seen The Night Porter and would like to discuss any relevant issues raised by it, post in the comments here.

Submission must be earned

InMyDreams says that submission is not something to give without careful consideration. For the benefit of new readers, note that many Taken In Hand women do not identify with the “submissive” label. This is for those who do.

Our journey through BDSM to Taken in Hand

One woman's journey from what she describes as “kinky sex” to Taken In Hand.

Make each other feel the luckiest person alive!

These anecdotes from Rabbi Shmuley Boteach's wonderful book, Kosher Sex, might help.

Being open to possibilities

I share Otter's wish that everyone could be open to all the possibilities of what a relationship can be.

Give me intensity or give me death!

Or rather, give me celibacy until death.

Giving each other what we need

Aurora on the peace and safety of a Taken In Hand relationship.

How do you make housework more fun?

Aurora has the answer.

Feminine submission and traditional language

A literary piece on the language of sexual submission.

Women who take responsibility for their own actions

Women who take responsibility for their risk and who expect mistakes to happen are a better bet than those who don't. Yes, I know: it sounds obvious, doesn't it? But it appears not to be obvious to all men.

Holding coats and opening doors

A fun anecdote by Aurora.

Impregnation

Why many Taken In Hand couples find the idea of impregnation erotic, and how viewing impregnation, pregnancy and breastfeeding from a Taken In Hand perspective can make what could otherwise be difficult or off-putting, intensely exciting.

Is he driving you mad?

Does your husband's driving style drive you mad? If so, hit the read article now.

Exit To Eden: the movie

Exit To Eden, the film, watched with Taken In Hand in mind.

Magnificent man or merely male?

This article reflects LifeOfCuriosity's Christian view so please don't read it if you are likely to be offended or outraged by religious content. Comments must be about Taken In Hand relationships rather than about religion. This is not the place for theological arguments.

Shades of grey

Paul cautions against black-and-white thinking in Taken In Hand relationships.

A risky strategy but it worked for us

What Alan did would not work in most cases, but evidently it worked for them.

Do you have unrealistic expectations?

Are you a person who lives and breathes the idea that human beings are fallible and does not expect the impossible, or are you a person who hasn't really grasped that everyone makes mistakes? If you tend to feel very upset or angry about faults in others, or if you tend to focus on the negative instead of on the positive, it might be that you have unrealistic expectations and infallibilist tendencies. This is likely to be making your life much less happy and good than it could be.

Do you tell your beloved that he or she is exceptional?

A glimpse at an article that has stayed with me for three years.

He: An Irreverent Look at the American Male, by Florence King: an excerpt

Thanks to Louise for this. Feel like doing a full review of the book, Louise?

Narcissistic dominance vs Taken In Hand dominance

Healthy dominance vs narcissistic dominance.

I am a strong woman but I want to be taken in hand. Is this normal?

I am a strong, competent, intelligent, well-educated woman with a good career and a powerful personality but I want to be taken in hand. Is this normal?

Taking Sex Differences Seriously, by Steven E. Rhoads

If you have read this book, this is the place to write a review of it.

Tom Jones, by Henry Fielding: an excerpt

If you know of any literature having content that might be of interest to Taken In Hand readers, I'd love to hear about it, whether in the form of an excerpt or a full article.

Dominant men: D/s vs. Taken In Hand

Kiva likes the fact that Taken In Hand relationships are enjoyable for both persons.

Love Is A Decision, by Gary Smalley: a book review

If you have read this book, what do you think?

The word “anah” in brief

In his analysis of the Biblical Hebrew word “anah”, Bill Wagner gets to the bottom of things.

Who's afraid of the big, growly lion?

Man as lion; woman as (delighted and willing) prey.

Feeling thrilled by the prospect of being taken in hand

Some might find it highly unreasonable to be punished for forgetfulness; others find it fun and thrilling.

Equality through Taken in Hand?

BlueRose has discovered an unexpected benefit of Taken In Hand: her husband is treating her better and more as an equal than he was before!

Foreplay

Lots of different opinions here!

The missionary position

Why do some Taken In Hand folk love the much-maligned missionary position?

Keep your sense of humour!

For some couples Taken In Hand has the effect of making it possible to laugh in situations that would once have been sources of tension.

Sublimated desires

Many modern women have suppressed their deep desire for a male-led relationship because of societal pressure to prefer an ‘equal’ relationship. This may explain the massive growth in BDSM erotica aimed at submissive women. That it is not safe to admit to wanting or being in a Taken In Hand relationship may also explain why so many women have turned to BDSM, which bends over backwards to be non-sexist and pansexual.