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Fetishism
Fetishism
is 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. It is almost exclusively a male paraphilia.
The object of a fetish is almost invariably used during masturbation and
may also be incorporated into sexual activity with a partner in order to
produce sexual excitation. Inanimate object fetishes can be categorized
into two types: form fetishes and media fetishes. In a form fetish, it
is the object and its shape that are important, such as in the case of
high-heeled shoes. In a media fetish, it is the material out of which
the object is made that is important, such as silk or leather. Inanimate
object fetishists often collect the object of their favor, and may go to
great lengths, including theft, to acquire just the "right"
addition for their collection.
Although the list of
objects that fetishists can use for sexual gratification is
inexhaustible, among the more common inanimate objects are panties,
bras, slips, stockings or panty hose, negligees, shoes, boots and
gloves. Common media objects include leather, rubber, silk, or fur. In
some cases drawings or photographs of the fetish object may arouse
fetishists, but more commonly the fetishist prefers or requires an
object that has already been worn. The worn object does not serve as a
symbolic reminder of the former owner, however, because it is the object
that the fetishist relates to, not the person attached to it. Sometimes
it is a body part, such as hair, feet, legs or buttocks that become
fetish objects. These are examples of animate fetish objects.
The sexual acts of
fetishists are characteristically depersonalized and objectified, even
when they involve a partner. The focus of attention is exclusively on
the fetish, whereas non-fetishists may at various times make a
particular body part or an object part of their general sexual arousal
and expression with another person, but not be fixated on it.
In some cases, the
fetishist can become sexually aroused and orgasmic only when the fetish
is being used. In other instances, a sexual response may occur without
the fetish, but usually at a diminished level. When the fetish object is
not present, the fetishist often engineers sexual arousal by fantasizing
about it. For some fetishists, the fetish object must be used by a
partner in a specific way for it to be effective. For example, the
genitals must be rubbed by silk, or a partner must wear black garters
and high-heeled shoes. In the majority of cases, the person with a
fetish poses no danger to others and pursues the use of the fetish
object in private, usually through masturbation.
As with many forms of
sexual expression, there is a thin line of distinction between fetishism
and sexual preferences. At one end is the compulsive, fixated fetishist
and at other points along the scale are people who use a sexual aid or
are particularly aroused by certain body parts, but do not depend on
those things to achieve sexual satisfaction. For example a person is not
described as a fetishist if sexual arousal is dependent upon having an
attractive partner. Also, a man who is turned on by a woman in black
lacy lingerie is not usually labeled as a fetishist as long as this is
not the primary focus of his arousal.
The causes of fetishism
are not clearly understood. Some learning theorists believe that it
develops from early childhood experiences, in which an object was
associated with a particularly powerful form of sexual arousal or
gratification. Other learning theorists would not focus on early
childhood, but on later childhood and adolescence and the conditioning
associated with masturbation activity. Psychoanalytical theories of
causality focus on concepts of penis worship and castration anxiety.
Researchers have shown that in general fetishists have poorly developed
social skills, are quite isolated in their lives and have a diminished
capacity for establishing intimacy.
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Sex
