Financial domination (also known asfindom) is a fetish lifestyle in which a financialsubmissive desires to give gifts or money to a financialdominant.
In the financial domination lifestyle, in particular a practice ofdominance and submission, a financial submissive (cash piggy,finsub,human ATM,money slave orpaypig) gives gifts and money to a financial dominant (findomme/findom,Goddess,money dom/money domme,money master/money mistress orcashmaster).[1][2][3] Participants in financial domination can be of any gender, but in the financial domination practice, the receiver (also called dominant) is typically a woman, and the submissive is almost always a man.[citation needed] Financial domination became more widespread and took on its current form after the introduction of theInternet.[4] The relationship between the two parties—the dominant, or receiver; and submissive, or the giver—often takes place solely via online communication. Financial dominants often present themselves on their ownwebsites, relevantweb portals orsocial networks to attract the patronage of the submissive.[5]
In the majority of cases, the two (submissive and dominant) never meet, since findom is primarily a form of "distance domination". In rare exceptions, the submissive may accompany the dominant while the dominant shops with the submissive's money.[citation needed] Financial domination is in some cases combined with otherBDSM practices.[6] Such a relationship between individuals may be similar to, yet clearly distinguishable from, relationships based ontotal power exchange. In the latter, the submissive may grant all their money saved and earned to the dominant in addition to many other aspects of their autonomy; however, it is not uncommon for both partners to have an intimate relationship as well, contrary to the financial domination dynamic. Financial domination can also be distinguished fromsugar baby relationships in which a sugar daddy/mama offers gifts and money to the "baby" in return for a relationship, generally without any explicit elements of domination. In financial domination, the submissive has no expectation of sexual contact in return for the money, and often there is no physical contact of any kind between the two parties.[7]
One element of financial domination is the financial dominant/benefactor oppressing the submissive and establishing superiority over the submissive. Many members of the findom scene arematriarchists who claim that women are superior to men.[8][9]
Submissive members of the community tend to be seen as rich from people outside of the community, but most tend to be people in the lower-middle class.[9]
Since 2013, numerous articles about financial domination have appeared in popular print media and online magazines. Some of them are just reports; others subject the phenomenon to a critical examination. Some of these authors question whether financial domination is actually a sexual preference. The majority of submissives have low self-esteem due to the dominant's partial or full control over their decisions. They are insecure in dealing with women.[citation needed] The first contact with a dominant typically comes about purely by chance, for example when surfing on BDSM sites or when looking forfinancial services (by using search terms asfinancial ormoney). Over time, paying becomes an addiction for many, which in the worst case can lead to financial ruin. This in turn has three reasons: the ready availability of financial domination over the Internet; the targeted manipulation by dominants (many of them are not aware of their great responsibility); and the fact that psychological dependence is wanted by both sides and is even essential for financial domination.[10][11][12][13]
Other authors do not consider money slavery to be pathological and see it as an inclination that one can live out responsibly.[14][15][16][17] However, some[who?] point to the high risk ofdeception andfraud. With many moneydom accounts (for example, onTwitter), it is unclear who is really behind it. There are proven cases of fraud.[which?] In addition, many women become money mistresses for purely financial reasons, without having any relation to dominance. Both are subsumed under the termfake in the findom scene.[18][19][20][21] However, some submissives are said to accept the deception or even to be aroused by it.[22]
Scientific papers about findom were published in 2007 and 2021. For both, relevant websites and social media accounts were observed over a period of several years (seeNetnography). In addition to questions regarding self-justification and dealing withsocial rejection, both articles deal with the general characterization of money slavery. On the whole, the picture drawn in the popular media is confirmed and three things are also highlighted. First, the Internet has fundamentally changed the market for sexual services. Those involved could communicate more easily and, above all, anonymously, and real encounters are no longer necessary in many practices. Second, digital networks offer new (and vastly better) ways for people with dissenting inclinations or views to share, connect, and develop identities as a group. Third, anyone can create an artificial identity on the Internet that has little or nothing to do with the real person. All three of these factors were prerequisites for the emergence of the findom scene. According to the author of the first study, this is apostmodern phenomenon. The authors of the second article compare the appearances of moneydoms with those of influencers.[23][24]