New to Taken In Hand?ArticlesDon't miss these pagesReader discussionsSubmit an article!Technical & adminUser loginNavigationTaken in Hand articles
Taken In Hand accolades“This website is just what I have been looking for for ages--but did not even know it! Have become weary of [other] sites, etc. They never really properly address the psychological components, all the subtleties [...] [A]nyway, thanks so much for existing, I have been telling my friends...hope your website sticks around forever!” “Taken In Hand is male led but male intimately led. ... I do like the Taken In Hand focus on family and the focus that marriage is between one man and one woman. That is actually very important to me.” “[I]n Taken In Hand, I am enhancing and extending my power as a woman, and enriching my life and personality. I give up NOTHING, and gain the world.... [M]y perception of Taken In Hand is that there are few other venues that can compare for teaching men the responsible, healthy uses of power. It gives men skills and confidence they can use not just in their sexual relationships, but also with their children, in their professions, and out in the community. Taken In Hand requires a far higher level of courage, sacrifice, responsibility, and personal integrity than many [men] will even think to aspire to.” “Taken In Hand is about having the man in charge because you like it like that, it's not about blind obedience or never having your own way about anything.” “I have referred hundreds of people to [the Taken In Hand] site and have the link on my Yahoo profile.” “First of all, all you guys should check out this website, www.takeninhand.com, very interesting stuff here, check out the Commanding Presence [and] Alpha Males articles, [...] very valuable insights. [...] I'm taken by this site.” “[U]ntil 2 days ago I thought I was a crazy, ... abnormal “I enjoyed [Taken In Hand] very much and I recommend that everyone here visits it.” “Taken In Hand is serious about the nature of male-female relationships, [...], in way I find exhilarating, honest, refreshing, courageous, and exciting.” “Taken In Hand: Fascinating... blog that deals with difficult and hot topics!” “The Taken in Hand website has proven to be a valuable source for intelligent and well thought out articles exploring [male-led relationships]. [...] For women who have longed for a relationship such as this and have no idea where to start, this is a great site for you. For men that want to better understand the whole concept from a women’s point of view, this site is a must read.” “It's a great site.” “If you think my perspective on dating isn't politically correct you should go read Taken In Hand. [It has] posts with titles like, When rape is a gift. You go, girl. Defy those hairy-armpitted feminists and enjoy yourself. :)” “great site.” “There are lots of websites for people in the BDSM, D/s, DD (domestic discipline) and spanking communities. There are websites for people who belong to religions that advocate male-head-of-household marriage. There are even websites for Christians who are interested in BDSM. But there are very few websites for people who are interested in male-led intimate relationships but who are not interested in all that the above communities associate with this kind of relationship (jargon, clothes, etc.) “[Taken In Hand] is really the most beautiful website...” “[Taken In Hand is an] erudite and intelligent site” “[S]ince the day I [discovered Taken In Hand] I have rediscovered my feminity.” “[Taken In Hand is] a necessary read... Very complex, lots of power shifts, combining respect with [control], and pleasure. [...] The whole shebang. I'm glad I found it.” “Taken In Hand... is the name of a website that I discovered less than two years ago and which made a big difference to my life. It made me understand what it was I wanted and helped me to come to terms with my own feelings and gave me the impetus to talk seriously to my husband about our relationship for the first time ever really. The site is about male-led relationships which do not necessarily have to involve spanking. The owner of the site is more interested in other aspects of male control. There are a lot of interesting articles on the site.” “[Taken In Hand is a]n excellent site with many thought-provoking articles and responses.” “[Taken In Hand is] one of the most exciting sites on the internet!” “[T]he whole damn site really is one of the most well articulated (pro/con) loaded blogs I've seen. It provides a cross section of how people are feeling out there even amongst those who are ‘seemingly’ natural allies.” “As I view it, I'm a control freak. I love to be in control. However, I fantasize about that control being stripped from me and handed over to someone else....namely, my husband. I'm just glad I found a site that makes me realize I'm not a freak for wanting [a Taken In Hand relationship]” “I was delighted to receive word of Taken In Hand. ... a very thoughtful and well-written group blog. ... I'm looking forward to reading through this blog the way I look forward to reading a new novel by a favorite author. It looks that good.” “Wow. This site is so amazing.” ““[Taken In Hand is] a wonderful website [...] [I]t's about the interpersonal dynamics of loving relationships where the man is the boss. [I]t's assumed that both partners are in it because that's what they want and have chosen. Also, unlike many other ‘traditional marriage’ sites, it's not coming from any sort of biblical perspective. ... Some of the best writing I've seen on these topics, from a variety of authors.” “[Taken In Hand is] a brill resource.... for info articles... and real life experiences” “A very cool site” “Thank you for providing such a positive, validating place for like-minded people to talk about this in a way that affirms the dignity of both men and women” “a great site” “an exremely high quality site... I highly recommend [Taken In Hand].” “fantastic site” “Intéressant à lire” “Un site remarquable” “[Y]our site rocks!” “Visit Taken in Hand for a lot of good thoughts. I think you'll find them useful [...]” “a wonderful site” “the best there is” “The answer to every single discussion is there. Best piece of text I read ever...And it rings SO true.” “What a wonderful website. ... [S]o much of this I can relate to my life. ... It has been a while since I have read a website that was ‘different’ than most.” “GREAT site” “Website of the Month” Other |
Why a man might be reluctant and what to do about itMany women trying to introduce discipline dynamics into their relationship have trouble explaining their needs to their partner. They also wonder how to help the man understand how discipline dynamics will benefit him and the relationship they both share. Over the course of several years I have seen and heard women try different strategies, some working fairly well and some not working well at all. Based on this experience, I propose a multi-pronged approach. First, it is most important to have a good grasp of the nature of your own needs. Talk with other women who have taken this road with success – those in successful intimate discipline relationships. So what is the nature of the need for discipline? We can argue ad infinitum whether the need for discipline is nature or nurture and none of this really matters in the end. The fact is that we have a very real need for this kind of discipline engagement, and we relish the kind of interaction we gain through spanking, especially when there is an appearance of control such as in discipline. Oftentimes, erotic bedroom play alone is not enough: we want the interactive force that seems to take away our power and control. Ultimately, discipline is a way of enriching our intimacy, a different kind of loving. If your man enjoys erotic spanking, it is possible to explain your desire for intimate discipline control dynamics as another form of sexual expression; i.e. spanking and related behaviors are a way of enriching and deepening intimacy. In conventional lovemaking, a woman often likes to be held by the hands or pinned underneath the man. This apparent giving up of intimate control unlocks an exchange that is powerful for both the man and woman. Discipline is like that – an exchange or interaction of the masculine and feminine sexual energy that manifests in deepening love. If the man is hesitant at first to accept that you really, really want him to take this kind of control during the normal course of your relationship, the important thing is to listen to him carefully. Listen not only to what he is saying and asking, but also to clues of possible underlying unstated fears. Here are some of the questions or concerns he may ask directly or may be thinking but may not voice. 1:) Do you want me to enforce your behavior, make you follow some set of rules or such? You are a grown woman so why can't you mind what you do yourself? It all sounds rather tedious and, to be honest, I really don't have the time or inclination to do this. Do you really want him to enforce rules? Do you want to give him the impression that you want discipline because you have fundamental flaws in your personality or character that only a loving man can correct? Do you want to have the expectation that your partner should be responsible for your behavior within your intimate, adult relationship? If not, this perception of his, spoken or unspoken, must be corrected. 2:) Why can't we just spank like we used too? You know, when we are going to make love, kind of that kinky little element that is really so delightful? In answer to this, explain how his taking control of the spanking has a much more powerful effect for you than the ‘fun stuff’ alone does. 3:) It seems to me that you (the woman) may have some serious emotional disturbance. Perhaps you should see a doctor or a psychiatrist or something. Why else would you want me to beat you, forcing you to give up control of what you want? Why else would you want a pretty serious thrashing? This thought is likely to go through most men's minds, so give it some serious consideration. You are perfectly normal, perfectly healthy, intelligent, successful in your life and in your social and professional standing. But you want your intimate partner to unceremoniously turn you over his lap and give you a sound bare bottom spanking. What could possibly be wrong? Truth is, nothing is wrong. Spanking is inherently erotic. But the control element creates an intimate exchange that enriches the experience of both the man and the woman. The control is so crucial in this exchange that very little can be gained without it. Using spanking as the behavior gateway because of its erotic content for us, this control has the power to transform the man-woman intimate bond into something that is, for us, natural and sublime. Spanking the woman with control has the power to give the man a real and conscious awareness of his natural place in his intimate relationship. He is in charge of the intimacy of the couple, not responsible for the behavior conduct of anyone but himself. This sense of his enhanced masculinity permeates throughout the relationship, deepening his intimate bond of connection. I think this will give many women a place to start explaining to the man what he will gain by beginning the practice of intimate discipline in his relationship. The details a couple chooses will vary as each relationship varies but, I think, the fundamental dynamic of discipline must be the same for all. Discipline, regardless of its form or context, always involves a fundamental dynamic exchange or interaction within our sexuality, an intimate connection of the masculine and feminine that is both delicious and sublime. We need the discipline or control to enhance this exchange or it is very weak. In the end, the man gains what the woman gains – a sense of his true self and his true masculine nature in his intimacy, the ability to deepen and genuine joy in experiencing greater depths in human love. Have you seen the following articles? Who says you have to be submissive? Leadership, strength, emotional intimacy I love living under my husband's authority Blush and Gary, by Gary Why you should not withhold spanking! Blanket consent Secretary: what did you think of this film? A love letter Authority in a Taken In Hand relationship Is your new man dominant, domineering, or a dithering wimp? 2003 Nov 21 - 15:15 | login or register to post comments | latest article | previous article | next article | permanent link
|