Daddy is a wide-ranging term used across many different sexual situations and sexualities to describe a dominant partner in a relationship. Daddy is most commonly used in a power exchange relationship, where one partner identifies as submissive to the dominant Daddy. A Daddy can be stern or caring, can inflict punishment and provide rewards and can assume that role during sex and in real life, depending on the relationship. In most instances, Daddy refers to a male partner, though the term can also be used by anyone who wants to adopt a Daddy persona. Daddies can be found in many different relationship structures and the term is not limited to any specific sexuality.
Central to most uses of Daddy is the idea of a father figure who provides both discipline and protection. Daddies, as dominants, often lead and guide both sexual and real-life scenarios. While the term is restricted to age dynamics, Daddy partners are often older and deemed more mature.
People use the term Daddy in different ways, depending on the desired relationship and dynamics. For some, just calling someone Daddy elicits a thrill that evokes both discipline and nurturing. Some Daddies provide both physical and emotional dominance, including spanking, paddling, and verbal rebukes and lectures. They will also provide cuddling, hugs and soothing, tender words to offer care. All of these can happen within a sexual context or completely outside of sex. Some Daddies help guide their partners through everyday “adulting” activities.
Another use of Daddy is in Daddy Dom/little girl (and equivalents for different gender and sexuality dynamics) feature varying degrees of age and role play around the roles of a parental-figure and child-like partners. These relationships are more overt in their roles, and are more likely to involve age-specific clothing, props, and mannerisms and language.