
In rarer instances, some couples engage in full-time BDSM relationships, which are known as “24/7s.” With these situations, there’s a total power exchange, meaning power roles are permanent, not temporary. (1) The Psychology of Role Play: Why Do People Like It? When the event has ended, participants revert to their normal, everyday roles, and their usual authority is reestablished. In some relationships, partners alternate between top and bottom roles. The submissive player, or “bottom,” follows the commands. The dominant player, also called a “top,” is usually in charge of giving orders and has all the power. Typically, each participant in a BDSM session takes on a specific role. Additionally, many in the BDSM community choose to wear leather garments. Popular BDSM getups include a cheerleader uniform, a police officer uniform, a French maid’s outfit, a school student uniform, or a nurse’s uniform. Often, the participants wear costumes to act out a part. The role playing may be done in private or public locations, with or without spectators. The sessions may include elements of power (giving, exchanging, or taking it), sensations (using pain or the senses), and psychology (mind games). Some popular character scenarios include:Īdditionally, many BDSM followers perform gender play (where one or more participants takes on the role of the opposite gender) or “rape” fantasy play (where one participant pretends to be nonviolently coerced into an unwelcome sex act). (1) In a role-play scene, participants can act out any kind of situation. Related: From Domination to Dressing Up: The Top 9 Sexual Fantasies for Men Different Kinds of BDSM Role-Play Scenarios Essentially, each person pretends to be someone or something they aren’t. The scenarios may be simple and impromptu, or they might require sophisticated costumes, props, or a script. When the role play is a part of BDSM, it usually involves at least one individual exhibiting dominance over another. This can happen in person or virtually, such as in a chat room or via email. Not all sexual role play falls into the category of BDSM, but role play is typically considered an essential element of BDSM.īDSM sexual role play may involve two or more people who “act out” a particular scene or fantasy.


BDSM, which stands for bondage and discipline, domination and submission, and sadism and masochism, involves a range of sexual practices.
