Sexual Fantasies Involving Taboo Topics
What are they? How common is it to have them? Do people really want to act out their fantasies? Is it healthy or unhealthy? Can it be damaging for a relationship? How can you deal with this issue? What is considered taboo in society? How does media influence our views about sex and taboos? How does trauma affect sexual desire? How do fetishes develop? Are there any benefits to exploring your sexuality through roleplaying and acting out fantasies? Can we break the stigma around having sexual desires that deviate from social norms? Can therapy help? This essay will explore these issues using research and expert opinion.
Introduction - Sexual Fantasies Involving Taboo Topics
Have you ever wondered if everyone's sexual fantasy involves something 'normal' like a romantic dinner date or having sex in public? Well, turns out, many people have more 'taboo' desires such as dominance/submission, voyeurism, bondage, bestiality, necrophilia, pedophilia, rape, incest, scat play, etc. But what exactly are sexual fantasies involving taboo topics, why do some people have them, and how should one deal with these feelings? These questions will be answered in detail in this essay.
Body - Sexual Fantasies Involving Taboo Topics
Many people feel ashamed of admitting to themselves and others that they have erotic fantasies involving topics deemed morally wrong by society. However, recent studies show that 80%-95% of adults report experiencing at least one type of non-normative sexual desire during their lifetime (Bekken, 2017). Non-normative desires can range from mildly curious to highly arousing. They may include anything outside the accepted boundaries of sexual behavior, such as BDSM, intergenerational sex, exhibitionism, fetishes, cross-dressing, group sex, voyeurism, or infidelity (Kleinplatz & Levitt, 2003). Although most individuals don't act on all their fantasies, they often enjoy imagining them, which helps alleviate stress and boost self-esteem (Hald et al., 2006). It is believed that sexual fantasies arise due to a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors, like media consumption and personal traumatic experiences (Ramachandran, 2004).
Expert opinion: "Sexual fantasies are simply thoughts or images related to sex that turn us on, whether they involve taboo subjects or not," says Dr. Jessica O'Reilly, author of The New Sex Bible for Women. She adds, "It's important to remember that having these thoughts does not mean you're necessarily interested in acting on them or that it reflects your true desires."
Body - How Common Are Taboo Fantasies?
Society typically shames people with non-conventional sexual interests while normalizing those who follow traditional gender roles and heteronormative relationships. However, research suggests that many adults have some degree of curiosity about taboo topics. A survey of over 1,5000 college students found that almost half had fantasized about incest, bestiality, and pedophilia (Bekken, 2017). Another study revealed that nearly two-thirds of men reported having at least one fetish (Kleinplatz & Levitt, 2003). And a third study showed that over half of women and men aged 25-59 experienced at least one non-normative desire (Wiederman, 1998). However, only around 1%-10% report seeking help for their non-consensual sexual behavior, suggesting that most individuals choose to keep their fantasies private (Langevin et al., 2016).
Body - Do People Really Want To Act Out Their Fantasies?
While some may act out their taboo fantasies, others simply enjoy the emotions they evoke without wanting to actually do them. For example, someone might find the idea of being dominated sexually arousing but not want to be tied up and whipped by a real person. It's important to remember that acting on these desires can cause physical and psychological harm to oneself or others, so it is essential to seek professional advice before engaging in such activities. Some people also believe that exploring their sexual fantasies through roleplaying and