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Originally, chastity was a term meaning the state of refraining from illicit or from all sexual intercourse, derived originally from Latin castus meaning 'clean' or 'pure'. It's most familiar today from 'chastity belts', metal contraptions that mediaeval knights allegedly locked on their wives to prevent adultery when the knights were off crusading -- though it now seems likely this was largely a Victorian fantasy. In SM usage, it usually means preventing a bottom from achieving orgasm or even any form of genital stimulation on a long term basis, either simply forbidding it and leaving it to the bottom's willpower, or through the use of devices and restraints. Infibulation, the fastening of the genitals thorough means of piercing or sewing to prevent penetration or arousal, is a further type of chastity.
Various ingenious devices are available from specialist suppliers that prevent genital access while allowing urination, including reproductions of 'traditional' chastity belts for women and adaptations of them for men. One correspondent on the Internet suggested an improvised chastity belt for a man made using a container like a plastic cup pierced with holes that is strapped into place over the penis. Temporary measures can also be taken from mild but obstructive bondage and cock binding (see cock torture ). Chastity devices are apparently uncomfortable for men to wear overnight at first, since the penis usually spontaneously erects during sleep. But persistent use will see this problem disappearing.
For infibulations, piercings can be used - on women the clitoris hood can be pierced and chained closed and uncircumcised men can be 'infibulated' with foreskin piercings that can be locked together. And the genitals may also be sutured (sewn): the most effective means are to sew either of the sets of labia together, to sew the foreskin shut or, in circumcised men, to sew the flaccid penis inside the folds of the scrotum (see in the Play Piercing fact sheet ). The infibulations of young women has been used in some cultures as a guarantee of virginity, Victorian middle class parents sometimes infibulated their teenage sons to prevent nocturnal emissions and apparently Russian soldiers' foreskins were once pierced with wires that were then sealed in order to ensure their owners' chastity.
Notes on the Mormons and Chastity Evangelists from the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latterday Saints (Mormons) are popularly believed to wear 'chastity garments'. An ex-Mormon explains: 'While there is no such thing as a "chastity garment", Mormons who have been through certain ceremonies at a Temple (all married persons, and all missionaries, for example) wear special undergarments. Some Mormons believe these garments protect them, although I have never heard that stated as doctrine, nor by any church officer -- it is merely an entrenched cultural belief. They see these garments (Temple Garments) as a sign of the covenants they have made with God in the Temple. 'The garments do not physically prevent sex -- unless you consider the fact that they are without question the most unattractive underwear I have ever seen. But they do perform the function of the prevention of sin, not through any mystical powers, but because they are a reminder. And, believe me, if you were wearing them, you would not want to strip in front of anybody. They really are horribly ugly.'
Thanks to Slakker for the information on the Mormon chastity garment. |
