An Exploratory Study of a New Kink Activity: "Pup Play"

This study presents the narratives and experiences of 30 gay and bisexual men who participate in a behavior known as "pup play." Never empirically studied before, we use in-depth interviews and a modified form of grounded theory to describe the dynamics of pup play and develop a conceptual framework with which to understand it. 

We discuss the dynamics of pup play, demonstrating that it primarily consists of mimicking the behaviors and adopting the role of a dog. We show that the majority of participants use pup play for sexual satisfaction. It is also a form of relaxation, demonstrated primarily through the existence of a "headspace." We classify pup play as a kink, and find no evidence for the framing of it as a form of zoophilia. 

We call for further research on pup play as a sexual kink and leisure activity from both qualitative and quantitative perspectives.

Purchase full article at:   http://goo.gl/jAKNup

By:   Wignall L1, McCormack M2.

• 1Centre for Research in Media and Cultural Studies, University of Sunderland, Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St. Peter's, Sunderland, SR6 0DD, UK. liamwignall@gmail.com.
• 2School of Applied Social Sciences, Durham University, Durham, UK.

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