Humiliation v. Degradation

[Butterfly]

We all have different experiences, understandings and definitions of things. I am curious to know, how do you define and differentiate humiliation and degradation?

 

[baloo]

Humiliation - when something about yourself is revealed to others or brought to your attention that you think is outside of a perceived "norm", so much that you consider it abormal and fear negative reactions upon people discovering it, or dread think about.
Degradation - inflicting or reinforcing the idea of an act or trait is so far from a perceived "norm" that it is to be corrected.

So both are about what is seen as "abnormal", the one is about bringing it into the open, while the other is about shaming for it.
In kink specifically, as a sub I enjoy receiving both of them as I take pride in my traits and rooting them out as something I can improve my self-image on (if I actually feel abnormal, or insecure about them), or it fills me with joy (when I own this "abnormality" and enjoy having it presented, perhaps in front of people who understand the trait), or with pride (when people think it actually abnormal, or do heavy degradation, and I withstand it). As a dom I love doing that for my sub, even more so if it makes them just the right amount of uncomfortable, seeing them going into resignation, blushing, trying to turn away is ever so sweet, tickles my sinister senses
No matter if I experience it as dom, sub, or bystander - it feels earthy, heavy, and it smells like dirt (in a good way), a sensational/emotional that really deepens my connection to my partner(s), and the trait itself. Makes it feel strong, right, and correct.

 

[Jolly*FtM]

Degradation can be humiliating and probably the other way around as well.

For me, degradation means that someone is devalued, either as a person or in general. If someone is worth less or is made to feel less or is treated as such.

Something like a slave has fewer rights because he/she is below 'normal' people.

Humiliation varies from person to person, everyone is humiliated by something different, for example what is embarrassing to do or say.

 

[Butterfly]

For me I would define them as:

Humiliation: Something that makes you feel embarrassed
Degradation: Something that makes you feel less than

I do think there is a lot of overlap at times, so it can be a fine line between the two.

 

[Jaro]

I think humiliation is feeling shy/embarrassed/ridiculed. What this means differs for different people.

I think degradation is more extreme and makes one feel dirty/filthy/worthless/less than human. I think this one is less subjective, although some people would still feel more degraded than others with certain acts.

 

[moonglow_girl]

to be degraded is to be treated with disregard or disrespect, or to be decreased in quality or value.

this can of course be its own standalone kink, but for me it falls within the umbrella of humiliation-based kinks. i'm sure there are people who like degradation but don't consider themselves into humiliation, and i think it depends on how the degradation is done. for me, i like degradation because while i'm not seeking to be disrespected or disregarded necessarily, it is humiliating for people to disrespect and disregard you. and specifically for me, a big part of why i like it is because i love to think that people are being entertained and amused by calling me names or disrespecting me, regardless of my feelings about it. that is humiliating and thrilling and something i just can't get enough of!

 

[Maybesub63]

I write custtomized session for those who ask. That they can play alone. Several have asked for humiliation and degradation.
So I give them task that is degrading. When they perform they feel humiliated. That make sense, I think.
And they appreciate it.

 

[raptorclaw]

To me, humiliation is more lighthearted and fun. There’s a degree of pleasure in it. There’s some embarrassment to it, don’t get me wrong, but I like the vulnerability of showing myself in tighty whities or talking about how horny I am and think it’s kind of funny.

Degradation is more negative and unenjoyable. It doesn’t build you up in the same way.