People often underestimate the importance of foreplay, or view it as simply a necessary step on the road to intercourse. This is especially true for people whose sex lives have fallen into a boring, predictable routine. They may not even really give foreplay much thought, and the foreplay period often becomes shorter and shorter as time goes by. For men especially, foreplay is something they endure (often almost grudgingly) in order to proceed to intercourse.

This, of course, is not a positive way of looking at foreplay. Foreplay is actually a critical part of the lovemaking experience, and one that should not be rushed or shortchanged. For one thing, foreplay can be an incredibly strong bonding experience that nourishes and strengthens the intimate connection between two people.