“Fifty Shades of Grey” isn’t a very good movie. Critics savaged the film, and audiences generally gave the film poor ratings as well despite solid performances by Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan.

Still, the film had a significant impact on our culture in the context of dating and sex. The quality of the film didn’t really matter. It touched a nerve and generated one of those inflection points where we saw a real shift in attitudes for both men and women.

Increased Awareness and Discussion of BDSM

Before the release of “Fifty Shades of Gray,” many adults were aware of kink and BDSM (Bondage, Discipline/Dominance, Submission/Sadism, and Masochism), but most knew little about it, and these things were not discussed often. The film introduced the practice of BDSM to a mainstream audience. For many, this was their first exposure to this wild and fascinating subset of sexual behavior. As a result, conversations about BDSM became more common in media and everyday life.

For some women, it sparked interests and desires that they didn’t realize they had. Or, it validated fantasies that they were reluctant to confront and express. For some men, it also gave them permission to explore this with their female partners.

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