Fetishism
and Sex
The definition of fetishism has changed a lot by comparison to when
it was employed for the first time. In the past, fetishism was used to
describe the belief that mankind has in some inanimate objects supernatural
powers, with any reference to sexuality at all. Later on, Sigmund Freud
described sexual fetish as being a sort of trauma of a boy discovering
his mother had no penis. According to Freud, fetishes were men's thing, whereas
women were incapable of brewing fetishes.
Today, after becoming clearly untenable this theory, fetishism comes
strongly connected with the sexual approach of many people. Fetishism,
an accented sexual attraction that regardless of gender, culture or sexual
orientation some people would go for a specific inanimate object or some part
of the human body. As a general rule, such objects or body parts are not sexual
in nature, although for the fetishist the use/presence of such element
is essential to obtain sexual gratification. Often, the fetish
is rather connected to its shape, texture or function, than the object itself
and common fetishes such as latex, rubber or leather may come to illustrate
such features.
The fetish commonly relates to an urge of domination or submission.
Bondage, torturing, spanking, and many other practices display implicit connotation
of controlling, which also demonstrate another aspect of fetishism: role-playing.
Most fetishists are only capable of reaching orgasm when the object
of admiration is present. Otherwise, getting sexually aroused by fantasizing.
The sexual act is more often than not something secondary to the fetishist,
as not focused on the person he/she is having sex with, but on the fetish
object.
It's also important to emphasize the thin line drawn between fetish
and sexual preference. A man may show preference for big-breasted women,
or a woman could feel particularly attracted by longhaired weirdoes, but if
not depending on such elements to become aroused and attracted sexually, it's
just a matter of personal preference. To be characterized as a fetish,
the person has to depend directly on the object of deisre for kicks.
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