Educational Profile

Purposive samples of BDSM populations tend to find that they are relatively well-educated. (Alison et al 2001; Nordling et al 2006) This probably reflects a scene bias to some degree, with better-educated people being more apt to participate in BDSM organizations. Brame (2000) and Bienvenu and Jacque (1999) consistently find that about 30% of their samples have a terminal BA and 20% (about twice the national average) have an advanced degree. However, they disagree radically on the level of high school completion.

Broader population surveys do not report such a finding.  Richters et al (2008) finds no relationship between BDSM practice and level of education.  Tomassilli et al. (2009) find no relationship for lesbians and bisexual women.

Updated 5/5/2010