Fetishism in Alternative Sexuality - What is it?
Erotic fetishism can take many forms, and may involve objects commonly associated with BDSM, such as corsets, PVC, leather and stiletto shoes. A sexual fetish might also be found for something much more pedestrian, such as the human foot - one of the most common sexual fetishes in existence. Sexual fetishism is regarded as a paraphilia, a form of obsessive behaviour revolving around misdirected sexual triggers.
 | The fetishist's passions, however, don't conform to the norms of society. | |
For most people, sexual arousal is associated with a particular sequence of events, and is triggered by certain stimuli, such as the way another person looks, or smells, or the thought of making love with them.
Although everyone loves differently, for ordinary people sexual interest, arousal and desire follows reasonably similar patterns. The fetishist's passions, however, don't conform to the norms of society.
If someone is aroused by different things to their contemporaries, if they need the presence of a particular object in order to be sexually fulfilled, then they probably have a fetish for that object - and it is much more common to be a fetishist (at least to some degree), than most people realize.
What it is
Fetishism is when sexual desire is redirected away from the genitals and becomes fixated on a different (often totally non-erogenous) part of the body or on an inanimate object like shoes or latex.
The word 'fetish' is derived from the Portuguese term 'feitico', which was used to refer to amulets or the relics of saints. In modern times the word fetish is still used in an anthropological sense, to describe spiritual and religious worship of artefacts, but is also a psychological term used to refer to someone with a sexual fixation. Still confused? The Macquarie Dictionary (Revised 3rd Edition, 2004) lists three different definitions:
1. a material or inanimate object regarded with awe because it is the embodiment or habitation of a potent spirit, or having magical potency because of the materials and methods that constructed it.
2. any object of blind reverence.
3. an obsession or fixation, usually expressed in ritualistic behaviour.
Regardless of the various official definitions (from anthropology, psychology or an encyclopaedia entry), there remains some dispute amongst contemporary medical professionals and kink practitioners about exactly what constitutes a fetish or fetishism.
According to the psychological or clinical definition, fetishism is a sexual paraphilia, a psycho-sexual disorder that involves the translocation of sexual desire from the human body to an inanimate object or non-genital part of the body such as the feet; this latter preference for a specific body part is also known as partialism. Some sticklers argue that partialism is not in fact a true fetish (which by their definition is strictly limited to inanimate objects) but a different type of sexual kink altogether.
| … a person can learn to equate sexual desires and satisfaction with objects or body zones other than what most individuals 'naturally' find sexy … | |
Fetishism has historically been associated much more with men than with women, and Freud speculated that it had its roots in childhood, when young boys first became aware that their mothers' genitals were different to theirs. Although Freud's theories on fetishism are hotly debated in modern psychiatry, he had successfully identified the issue at the heart of fetishism: sexual conditioning. In other words, a person can learn to equate sexual desires and satisfaction with objects or body zones other than what most individuals 'naturally' find sexy.
It has been argued that fetishism exists to some extent throughout mainstream society and has indeed always existed, differing amongst primitive tribal people of many varied cultures. The modern western preference for a full bust in women has been described as a fetish, and a parallel can be drawn with the particular appearance of a woman's leg, particularly the calf and ankle, when she wears high-heeled shoes, and the subsequent association with sexual arousal.
In some tribal cultures males paint their faces in order to be sexually attractive, or women use stiff necklaces to elongate their necks. The Chinese penchant for feet-binding so that women had tiny feet is another trait that has been labelled as a form of sexual fetishism.
Some activities that come under the umbrella of 'kink' may be considered fetish-like, but again such distinctions are often arbitrary and may be vehemently contested by practitioners and therapists. For this reason, amongst others, it is impossible to definitively say whether an activity is a fetish or falls under the more general classification of a paraphilia. Bearing in mind these difficulties, here is a list of objects and body parts that may attract fetish behaviour:
Feet
Shoes
Lingerie
Latex/Rubber/PVC
Balloons
Medical equipment
Breasts
Hair
Fingernails
Some other fetish activities include:
Pregnant women
Fat or obese people
Watersports
Scat play
Fisting
Role-playing
Amputees
Infantilism
Smoking
Tickling
Uniforms
Plush Toys or Animal Suits
Dolls
Masks
Hats
It is theoretically possible to develop a sexual fetish for anything or anyone or any part of them. The key to whether something is considered a fetish lies in the transfer of sexual arousal, fantasy and activity away from what is 'normal' and on to that object instead.
There is a great range of equipment and accessories that are used in sex play that have sensual associations for people, and although some of these items can become the object of a fetish fixation (lingerie, corsets and boots are typical examples), if you enjoy including these in your sex life it doesn't necessarily mean you have a fetish for them.
| Fetishism is characterised by obsessive behaviour and is often alleviated either through fantasy | |
Fetishism is characterised by obsessive behaviour and is often alleviated either through fantasy or in actual practice through the use of ritualised, repetitive actions that have great emotional and sexual significance for the fetishist. A fetishist may like to begin by looking at their fetish, then progress to smelling it, then touching it, then rubbing against it - and this may be the pattern in which they always interact with the item.
What it isn't
Although fetishism can be so extreme that it manifests as a psychological illness, it isn't evil or dangerous, and depending on whose definition you accept, it isn't even that uncommon. Like any other sexual kink, fetishism is only a problem if it obsesses someone to the point where they cannot function normally in their daily life.
Sexual fetishism is difficult to define because it is viewed differently by different people. What is normal? is a question that has plagued people since the dawn of time, and one that still can't be satisfactorily answered. It all depends on the angle of approach: if you are a psychologist you will have different criteria for diagnosing clinical sexual fetishism (which includes the obsession exceeding a duration of a six-month period; absence of sexual desire or gratification without the fetish object being present; fetishism causing significant upheaval in the person's life) than if you were part of the BDSM scene (where a fetish is considered just another form of sexual expression) or even just someone with a penchant for busty chicks in high-heels. Although experts may argue and the masses end up confused about the 'proper' definition of fetishism, it isn't necessarily a disorder, or even harmful. And for the purposes of this article, which is more concerned with sexual choices that medical definitions, it will be defined as: fetishism - expressing sexual interest in (but not necessarily limited to) a non-genital part of the body or an inanimate object. Other Parts |  |