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The word Fetish, meaning an object that causes sexual arousal or a source of sexual satisfaction, is attributed to Alfred Binet (1857-1911), an early pioneer of psychology who is best known for his studies of human intelligence, learning and mental abilities as well as developing the earliest I.Q. tests. Early theories of fetishes centered around boots, shoes and feet. These studies were continued by Sigmund Freud (1856-1939).
Freud Validated
Freud believed that most of our fascination with feet and shoes was due to spending lots of time as children looking up a woman’s skirt. Decades of further study have caused different explanations for fetishes, but Freud was convinced that sexual impulses were the prime root of most behavior.
Some experts believe that fetishes are objects that represent a significant other – perhaps even a parent – validating Freud’s theory.
Link to OCD, Perversity
Fetishistic Behavior, once ingrained in an individual, is difficult to resist. It becomes a reinforcing behavior that provides anticipation of a reward. Fetishistic behavior can be linked to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Fetishes and Fetishistic behaviors have existed for hundreds of years – perhaps even throughout history. Sexual fantasy and abnormal behavior were secret activities that existed in privacy and were rarely discussed or written about. Occasionally a torrid novel would surface that would highlight one of these secret activities. But by and large most unusual sexual behaviors were not openly discussed or even widely known. Most of these activities were labeled as “perverted” or deviant” and were not associated with traditional romantic relationships.
New Sexual Freedom
Only recently with the advent of the internet has the wide range of previously unimaginable activities been fully exposed. A new sexual freedom has been spawned – encouraged by the effects of anonymity, disinhibition and cyber freedom. It is now easy to simply stumble upon a previously unknown sexual topic. In a few short hours of reading forums and online conversations one can accept the newly discovered abnormal activity as normal. The previously secret and private activities of a few years ago are now available at your fingertips.
Behavior Gradations
Many dozens of fetishes and fetishistic behaviors exist in gradations from mild, infrequently expressed tendencies to totally full-blown, regularly manifested behaviors.
Recently, a more clinical and less judgemental term was established. The term paraphilia has been adopted as an umbrella to describe a wide range of atypical behaviors that includes the topic of fetishes. The term paraphilia is defined as being “beyond usual or typical love” which in itself is judgemental. The sheer vastness of the amount of fetishistic material on the internet reveals that what was once considered atypical is rapidly becoming typical.
DSM-5 Sexual Disorders
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) lists paraphilia and the eight main classifications of disorders as follows:
- Exhibitionistic Disorder
- Sexual Masochism Disorder
- Fetishistic Disorder
- Sexual Sadism Disorder
- Frotteuristic Disorder
- Transvestic Disorder
- Pedophilic Disorder
- Voyeuristic Disorder
Dozens of Sub-Categories
Many dozens of sub-categories exist, and it is important to focus on the fact that each disorder is driven by profound feelings of personal inadequacy and fear of rejection.
Some sub-categories of the main classifications include being aroused by or attracted to amputees (Acrotomophilia), dead people (Necrophilia), pregnant women (Maiesiophilia), and stuffed toys and theme park characters (Plushophilia). The most common and perhaps the oldest fetish includes shoes, boots and women’s underwear.
Mild Versions
Many people may experience or recognize mild versions of these desires or “interests” but they may be only a private fantasy. If a person has a specific fetish and shares it with a willing partner or the behavior is part of their normal sexual activity then it is not considered a disorder.
When It’s Criminal
Most fetishes are not harmful to anyone unless some law was broken in the process. Perhaps the fetish involves the collection of women’s underwear. This behavior becomes criminal when the offender breaks into someone’s house or retail store to steal the items.
Destructive Fetishes
A fetish is considered a disorder when it provokes intense recurring fantasies and if unwilling partners are forced to participate in the behavior. This can then result in serious problems in a relationship and usually becomes all-consuming and destructive.
The distinction between a sexual preference and a disorder is a simple but important element of distress. To be diagnosed with a paraphilia disorder, a person must:
- Feel a personal distress about their behavior. They must actually be bothered by their own actions, not just embarrassed by society’s disapproval or their partner’s disapproval.
- The person’s behavior or desire involves causing psychological distress, injury or death to another person.
- A desire for sexual behaviors involving an unwilling person or persons who are unable to give legal consent.
Some of these disorders tend to cluster, meaning that a individual could have more than one paraphilia. It’s not uncommon to find fetishism, transvestism, and sadomasochism together.
This report is not a diagnosis. We hope this information can guide you toward improving your life.
Review our Knowledge Base or the links displayed on this page for similar and related topics.