Slave vs. Sub — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 9, 2024
A slave is someone forced into servitude without personal freedom, while a sub chooses to relinquish control within BDSM dynamics.
Difference Between Slave and Sub
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Slavery is a condition where individuals are owned and controlled by others, forced to work without consent, and deprived of personal freedom. It is historically and globally condemned as a violation of human rights. Slaves are not free to make choices about their lives and work under the threat of punishment. In contrast, a submissive (sub) in BDSM relationships voluntarily gives up control to a dominant partner in a consensual power exchange. This dynamic is built on trust, consent, and negotiated limits, distinguishing it significantly from the non-consensual nature of slavery. While slaves are forced into their roles, often through violence or coercion, subs enter into their roles willingly and can set boundaries and safewords to stop activities at any point.
Slavery often involves the complete ownership of one person by another, stripping the slave of autonomy and rights. This system has been part of many societies throughout history and is universally considered a severe violation of human rights. Submissiveness within BDSM, however, operates within the boundaries of consent and mutual agreement. Subs actively participate in defining the scope of their submission and the activities involved, ensuring their mental and physical well-being is prioritized.
In terms of legal and social recognition, slavery is illegal in all its forms worldwide, with international laws and treaties in place to combat its existence. On the other hand, BDSM practices, including being a sub, are recognized as part of the consensual activities between youngs. Legal systems in many countries protect the rights of individuals to engage in these practices, as long as they do not involve non-consensual harm or public indecency.
The historical context of slavery spans across centuries and continents, marked by exploitation and human rights abuses. Its impact is still felt today, with efforts to address its long-term social and economic consequences. The BDSM community, however, has developed in modern times with a focus on safe, sane, and consensual practices. The culture around submission emphasizes negotiation, consent, and mutual satisfaction, contrasting sharply with the oppressive nature of slavery.
Understanding the difference between a slave and a sub is crucial in respecting the gravity of historical slavery and the consensual nature of BDSM dynamics. While both terms imply a form of submission, the context, consent, and freedom involved in each are fundamentally different, reflecting the importance of autonomy and consent in any relationship dynamic.
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Comparison Chart
Consent
No consent; forced into servitude.
Yes; consensual power exchange.
Autonomy
None; completely controlled by others.
Maintained; can negotiate terms and use safewords.
Legal Status
Illegal worldwide; considered a human rights violation.
Legal within consensual relationships.
Historical Context
Centuries old, associated with exploitation and oppression.
Modern, associated with BDSM culture.
Relationship Dynamics
Non-consensual, based on ownership and coercion.
Consensual, based on trust and mutual agreement.
Compare with Definitions
Slave
Used historically to describe a condition of forced labor and lack of freedom.
The museum exhibit detailed the lives of slaves in the 18th century.
Sub
Someone who enjoys the sensation of being controlled within safe, sane, and consensual limits.
The sub used a safeword when the scene became too intense for her comfort.
Slave
A person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them.
Historically, slaves were compelled to work without any form of compensation or rights.
Sub
A role adopted within the BDSM community that emphasizes consent and safety.
As a sub, he attended workshops to learn about safe practices in BDSM.
Slave
An individual completely dominated by some influence or person.
He was a slave to his job, working endless hours.
Sub
An individual who participates in consensual power dynamics, often involving activities that are negotiated beforehand.
She identified as a sub and actively discussed boundaries with her partner.
Slave
An individual without control over their life choices.
As a slave, she could not make any decisions regarding her daily activities.
Sub
A person who voluntarily gives up control to a dominant partner in a BDSM relationship.
As a sub, he found freedom in relinquishing control.
Slave
A term implying extreme exploitation and deprivation of autonomy.
The documentary exposed the modern-day slaves in illegal factories.
Sub
Part of a consensual relationship dynamic focused on trust and mutual satisfaction.
Their relationship as dom and sub was built on deep mutual respect.
Slave
One who is owned as the property of someone else, especially in involuntary servitude.
Sub
A submarine
The yachtsman claimed his boat had been sunk by a sub
Slave
One who is subservient to or controlled by another
His boss's slave.
Sub
A subscription
The annual sub for the golf club will be £200
Slave
One who is subject to or controlled by a specified influence
A slave to alcohol.
A slave to an irrational fear.
Sub
A substitute, especially in a sporting team
The team pulled back with a goal from sub Chris Malkin
Slave
One who works extremely hard.
Sub
A subeditor
The chief sub would be responsible for the look of the paper
Slave
One who acts out the role of the submissive partner in a sadomasochistic relationship.
Sub
An advance or loan against expected income
‘I've got no money.’ ‘Want a sub?’
Slave
A slave ant.
Sub
Replace or be replaced; substitute
He subbed for Armstrong at some gigs
He got a lot of applause when he was subbed
Slave
A machine or component controlled by another machine or component.
Sub
Lend or advance a sum to (someone) against expected income
Who'll sub me till Thursday?
Slave
To work very hard or doggedly; toil.
Sub
Subedit
His copy was mercilessly subbed and rewritten
Slave
To trade in or transport slaves.
Sub
(Nautical) A submarine.
Slave
To cause a machine or component to be controlled by another machine or component.
Sub
A submarine sandwich.
Slave
A person who is held in servitude as the property of another person, and whose labor (and often also whose body and life) is subject to the owner's volition and control.
Sub
A substitute.
Slave
(figuratively) A drudge; one who labors or is obliged (e.g. by prior contract) to labor like a slave with limited rights, e.g. an indentured servant.
Sub
To act as a substitute
A graduate student subbing for the professor.
Slave
(figuratively) An abject person.
Sub
To put or use (a person or thing) as a substitute
The coach subbed fresh players toward the end of the game. The cook subbed oil for butter.
Slave
(figuratively) One who has no power of resistance (to something), one who surrenders to or is under the domination (of something).
A slave to passion, to strong drink, or to ambition
Sub
Usage Problem To replace; substitute
The player was subbed after she committed two errors. Sub the chicken with tofu to make the dish vegetarian. See Usage Note at substitute.
Slave
A device (such as a secondary flash or hard drive) that is subject to the control of another (a master).
Sub
A submarine.
Slave
To work as a slaver, to enslave people.
Sub
A submarine sandwich: a sandwich made on a long bun.
We can get subs at that deli.
Slave
(intransitive) To work hard.
I was slaving all day over a hot stove.
Sub
(informal) A substitute, often in sports or teaching.
With the score 4 to 1, they brought in subs.
She worked as a sub until she got her teaching certificate.
Slave
(transitive) To place a device under the control of another.
To slave a hard disk
Sub
A subscription: a payment made for membership of a club, etc.
Slave
See Slav.
Sub
A subtitle.
I've just noticed a mistake in the subs for this film.
Slave
A person who is held in bondage to another; one who is wholly subject to the will of another; one who is held as a chattel; one who has no freedom of action, but whose person and services are wholly under the control of another.
Art thou our slave,Our captive, at the public mill our drudge?
Sub
A subroutine (sometimes one that does not return a value, as distinguished from a function, which does).
Slave
One who has lost the power of resistance; one who surrenders himself to any power whatever; as, a slave to passion, to lust, to strong drink, to ambition.
Sub
(colloquial) A subeditor.
Slave
A drudge; one who labors like a slave.
Sub
(colloquial) A subcontractor.
Slave
An abject person; a wretch.
Sub
(slang) A subwoofer.
Slave
To drudge; to toil; to labor as a slave.
Sub
A submissive.
Slave
To enslave.
Sub
A subordinate.
Slave
A person who is owned by someone
Sub
A subaltern.
Slave
Someone who works as hard as a slave
Sub
A subscription (or (by extension) a subscriber) to an online channel or feed.
I'm totally stoked; just got 10 new subs after my last video.
Slave
Someone entirely dominated by some influence or person;
A slave to fashion
A slave to cocaine
His mother was his abject slave
Sub
(colloquial) Subsistence money: part of a worker's wages paid before the work is finished.
Slave
Work very hard, like a slave
Sub
(internet slang) subreddit
Slave
Held in servitude;
He was born of slave parents
Sub
To substitute for.
Sub
To work as a substitute teacher, especially in primary and secondary education.
Sub
To replace (a player) with a substitute.
He never really made a contribution to the match, so it was no surprise when he was subbed at half time.
Sub
Less commonly, and often as sub on, to bring on (a player) as a substitute.
He was subbed on half way through the second half, and scored within minutes.
Sub
(British) To perform the work of a subeditor or copy editor; to subedit.
Sub
To subtitle (usually a film or television program).
Sub
To lend.
Sub
To subscribe.
Sub
(BDSM) To take a submissive role.
Sub
To coat with a layer of adhering material; to planarize by means of such a coating.
Sub
(microscopy) To prepare (a slide) with a layer of transparent substance to support and/or fix the sample.
Sub
Under.
Sub
A subordinate; a subaltern.
Sub
A shortened form of submarine, the boat.
Sub
A shortened form of submarine sandwich; also called hero, hero sandwich, and grinder.
Sub
A large sandwich made of a long crusty roll split lengthwise and filled with meats and cheese (and tomato and onion and lettuce and condiments); different names are used in different sections of the United States
Sub
A submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes
Sub
Be a substitute;
The young teacher had to substitute for the sick colleague
The skim milk substitutes for cream--we are on a strict diet
Common Curiosities
Can a sub leave a BDSM relationship?
Yes, a sub can leave a BDSM relationship at any time; consent and mutual satisfaction are central to BDSM dynamics.
Is being a sub the same as being enslaved?
No, being a sub involves consensual BDSM dynamics, unlike slavery, which is non-consensual and a violation of human rights.
Is there a psychological aspect to being a sub?
Yes, being a sub can involve psychological dynamics of control, trust, and release of power.
Can someone be a sub without participating in physical activities?
Yes, being a sub can also involve psychological aspects of control and submission without physical activities.
Was slavery ever considered legal?
Yes, in the past, slavery was legal and practiced in many parts of the world, but it is now universally illegal.
What is the main difference between a slave and a sub?
The main difference lies in consent and autonomy; slaves are forced into servitude without consent, while subs participate in a consensual power exchange.
Are there any legal protections for subs in BDSM?
Yes, legal systems in many countries recognize consensual BDSM practices and protect individuals' rights to engage in them.
Is consent always required in BDSM?
Yes, consent is a fundamental principle in BDSM and is necessary for all activities and dynamics.
Can the role of a sub change over time?
Yes, individuals in BDSM relationships can negotiate and change their roles as their preferences and relationships evolve.
What is the historical impact of slavery?
The historical impact of slavery includes long-term social, economic, and psychological effects on societies and individuals.
How is slavery viewed in modern society?
Slavery is universally condemned and illegal, recognized as a severe violation of human rights.
How do subs communicate their boundaries?
Subs communicate their boundaries through negotiation and the use of safewords during activities.
How do individuals negotiate BDSM dynamics?
Individuals negotiate BDSM dynamics through open communication, setting clear boundaries, and agreeing on safewords and limits.
How does the BDSM community ensure safety?
The BDSM community emphasizes the importance of safe, sane, and consensual practices, including education and communication.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
