Straitjacket
From Kinktionary @ Social Kink
Contents |
Definition
A straitjacket is a jacket with long arms that are then secured in the back in order to restrain a person’s movements. Although the main purpose of a straitjacket is to prevent people from hurting themselves those in the fetish community use straitjackets as a way to restrain submissives. This type of BDSM play can be seen as a form of torture. Straitjackets used for mental institutions are made of canvas or duck cloth while those used for fetish play or fashion, are commonly made of leather or PVC. The term straitjacket is most often misspelled as straightjacket.
Safety Concerns
Wearing a straitjacket for prolonged periods of time can be quite painful. Blood can collect in the elbows, where swelling may then occur. Hands can also become numb from lack of proper circulation and as a result of bone and muscle stiffness the upper arms and shoulders can experience excruciating pain.
Jackets made for fetish play may include additional restraint options like wrist straps, lockable fastenings or may even give the option to cross the arms behind the back. However they should still be used cautiously and never for long periods of time as prolonged use can interfere with circulation and make the jacket difficult to take off in the case of an emergency.
Resources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straitjacket
http://members.tripod.com/sjfloats/
History
Straitjackets were invented as a way to prevent mental patients from hurting themselves and others. This was at a time before psychoanalysis and psychiatric medications when mental health was a big mystery. At the time many doctors considered straitjackets a more humane way of treating patients.
Around 1950, Charles H. Graham, a reporter for the Kansas City Star, wrote a series of articles in which he found that straitjackets were mainly used on women, while men were usually restrained by force. With time the use of straitjackets has become less and less especially with the development of tranquilizing drugs.
Toys
Black Canvas Straitjacket w/ Leather Straps
