Roleplay: Myths & Misconceptions

The erogenous zone in the brain is a fickle creature. Arousal and attraction change over time, as do tastes and preferences in the bedroom.

One act that's often repressed or disregarded as abnormal is roleplay. During sexual roleplay, two or more individuals act out their fantasies by setting up a scenario or dressing in costumes. Although considered taboo to some degree, roleplay is a normal desire that helps people release sexual inhibitions in a healthy manner.

It's time that we dispel the myths around this playful activity and remove the taboo.

Myth: People who engage in roleplay can achieve arousal only through this act.

Reality: Roleplay and fetishism aren't necessarily synonymous. While roleplay may fall under the umbrella term of fetishism, it doesn't have to involve fetishes. Often, it's simply a way to rekindle the romance or develop a closer bond with a spouse or a partner. Thus, roleplay might just be an act used for a special occasion or to stimulate an emotional bond with one another, and not a necessity to become aroused.

Myth: Roleplay deals only with BDSM and other dark fantasies.

Reality: Like fetishes, roleplay often gets a bad rap as being solely associated with BDSM (bondage, discipline, dominance and submission, sadism and masochism). But this just isn't the case. Roleplay can deal with a wide variety of sexual fantasies and scenarios, such as pretending to be strangers who met at a bar or spicing up a scene from the movie "Star Wars." That's not to say that some partners don't roleplay using themes from BDSM, but it's not the only way to enjoy roleplay. All it takes is two willing partners and a bit of creativity.

Myth: Longtime romantic partners don't engage in roleplay.

Reality: Roleplay isn't just for casual encounters or a hot new relationship. Partners of any age and at any stage in their relationship can and do enjoy roleplaying. What's more, it can be the catalyst for partners to open up avenues of verbal communication and body language that may otherwise languish with the same old sexual positions or routine.

Myth: Roleplay stems from a psychological or mental condition.

Reality: Roleplay is a normal sexual act. In some instances, certain fantasies can be associated with past trauma, resulting in darker fantasies. But in roleplay, that's where they stay—fantasy.

Not only can roleplay boost arousal during foreplay, it also helps indulge fantasies that may have never otherwise come to fruition. People of all backgrounds, regardless of any conditions or issues, can find fun and pleasure in turning their sex life up a notch through roleplay. Plus, many people need an exciting escape from reality every once in a while.

Myth: Roleplay requires props, costumes or toys.

Reality: While props, costumes and toys can add another element to roleplay, they're by no means a necessity. If you don't have the budget or can't be bothered to purchase props and costumes, you don't have to give up on roleplaying. To some degree, roleplay is all in the mind. Sometimes, using only your imagination to think up new scenarios with your partner can be just as exciting as the act itself.