Friday, September 21, 2007
To say that the term “fetish” has become convoluted when compared with its modern meaning might be a gross understatement.
Encyclopedia Britannica explains that the term derives from the idea that a fetish “referred to a charm thought to contain magical or spiritual powers.” Sigmund Freud borrowed the term and likened it to an object of sexual fixation, thereby creating today’s most common definition.
DiscoveryHealth.com defines fetishism as “a fixation on an inanimate object or body part that is not primarily sexual in nature and the compulsive need for its use in order to obtain sexual gratification.”
The term fetish can also refer to strong sexual preferences that make sexual gratification difficult. In everyday usage a fetish simply refers to the kinkier aspects of sex and not the psychological aspects.
Fetishism is primarily a male phenomenon. Shoes are among the most frequent items to be the focus of a fetish, and, of course, women’s panties.
Fetishes can be inanimate objects such as shoes and lingerie, materials such as leather, rubber and latex, or body parts such as feet. AskMen.com’s top 10 fetishes include body peircings, domination/submission, fingernails and lipstick, and golden showers (urinating on one’s partner or being urinated on).
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My ex liked feet a lot, but I think feet are gross. I don’t have a problem with fetishes.
-Angela Moser, Lenexa senior
Other fetishes include amputees, corsets and belly buttons. Toonophilia is the sexual attraction to cartoon characters,
Discovery Health says fetishism is a branch of paraphilia, a condition where a person’s sexual pleasure depends on activities that are atypical and extreme.
Other paraphilias include sadomasochism, exhibitionism and voyeurism. These behaviors should be engaged by consenting adults.
Some fetishes can create problems with comfort levels in relationships.
“Different people have different ethics and morals. There is also the issue of what’s legal,” said Charlene Muehlenhard, professor of psychology and women’s studies at KU.
“Depending on how the person exercises or carries out their fetish it could present no problem, or a very serious problem. A person would be better off with a partner who is understanding or who has a compatible fetish,” she continued.
Fetishes can be uncomfortable for some.
“My ex liked feet a lot, but I think feet are gross,” said Angela Moser, Lenexa senior. Though feet are a turn off, she said, “I don’t have a problem with fetishes.”
Online communities can be a vital link to connecting to people who share a similar interest. The Foot Fraternity, www.footfraternity.com, is an organization and support group for homosexual men with a foot fetish. For an annual fee, members gain access to erotica, films and images of feet and related fetishes, in addition to access to personal ads from other members.
It’s not always necessary to go online. Elizabeth Chesney, Hutchinson senior, has had a couple of different experiences with fetishes. “I had a guy with a schoolgirl fetish, and a guy with a dominatrix fetish,” she said. Chesney said fetishes don’t bother her.
“I think it’s perfectly fine. There’s a market for everything — unless it involves children, and then it’s not OK,” she said.
Brittany Wolfe, Kansas City, Kan., junior said she didn’t have a problem with fetishes.
“I think it’s OK, as long as you’re honest with the person you’re with,” said “As a society, we’re closed-minded, too judgmental about sex.”
“Safe, sane and consensual” is the slogan used by many of the groups that provide a meeting ground for people. Safe in the sense that no real harm will come to the participants. Sane in that all participants are in a right state of mind and aware of their environment. Consensual in that all participants are willing participants. As long as boundaries are respected, there’s no reason not to experiment.
— Edited by Rachael Gray
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Comments
Keep it safe, sane, consensual
Hello Mellis / Rachael
Can you cite a reference in support of your claim that:- "Fetishism is primarily a male phenomenon" please?
Christopher
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