Shoe Fetish a common fetish, some experts explain
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fetishism can be an enjoyable experience for those engaging in the
practice, ISU experts say.
Fetishism is a type of psycho-sexual preference where individuals have
intense fantasies that involve intense sexual urges or sexual
fantasies through living, non-living objects, and a combination of the
two said X, associate professor of psychology.
X, who teaches Psychology, said fetishism is classified under the
category of paraphilia, which he described as "an attraction to
something that's different."
"To be classified as having a fetish, one must have urges for a six-
month period and have an exclusive focus on the means of intense
sexual behavior," X said. "The urges or behavior must cause some
changes to the person's daily life."
X said the most common types of fetishes are for women’s feet, shoes,
and boots.
Y, a graduate student in human studies and family development, said
there are a number of ways one possessing a fetish can become aroused
by their preferred object. "If someone has a shoe fetish, they may
become aroused by the touch of the shoe, how the shoe feels on them,
or have a man or a woman wear the shoe, or for example, place their
member on or inside of the shoe" . "If someone has a foot fetish,
they may look at [the foot] or be touched [by the foot] while
masturbating."
X said fetishism is most commonly practiced by males.
"Males are much more likely to engage in fetishism," X said. "It
doesn't mean it can't occur in females though and it seems that it
does." Those who possess fetishes will usually keep their activities
private from others so getting a view of the extent of this fetish to
males and females is difficult at best to determine. "People who
practice fetishism are not one to advertise that they have fetishes,"
he said.
One type of fetishism commonly and publicly practiced is transvestism,
or cross-dressing, X said. "This is usually not seen as harmful or
destructive".
Some types of fetishes can be seen as problematic. "Persons with
extreme focus on fetishism will often perpetrate criminal acts to get
a hold of the desired objects," he said. "[For example,] they will
often resort to burglary or robbery to procure shoes or boots, and in
some instances, will pursue the boots on the woman." These are
generally the anti social exception rather than the typical fetishist
behavior and these are what become public and distort fetish behavior
to an extreme that generally does not exist.
X said people on the extreme side who practice fetishism may
experience depression, sadness, guilt or emptiness in missing out on
daily activities. X said it's relatively infrequent for people who
practice fetishism to seek counseling due to the extreme satisfaction
that arises from the fetish.
While there is treatment that exists, the success rate is not
overwhelming, in fact significantly low and mostly temporary at best.
"What we know about fetishism is from people who get into legal
trouble. Overall, this is an area where therapeutic success is not the
hallmark of the day," It must be noted that most fetish behavior does
not occur on the extreme but is generally more balanced and integrated
into a persons daily life.
X said many psychology textbooks today categorize fetishism under the
category of sexual preferences. The practice may be considered OK if
it were mutually accepted.
"X supposes some elements [of fetishism] could be useful in terms of
sexual arousal and enjoyment if two individuals find the fetish
mutually arousing."
X said it's likely there is an element of fetishism in everyone.
"Potentially, any member of our society, male or female, probably has
some fantasies to objects," Some women have a shoe shopping fetish and
some men have s shoe fetish to match these women. he said.
"Certain kinds of clothing seem appealing, like in the recent very
erotic Victoria's Secret ads." Many men, and women, are attracted to
these models from head to toe. It is no surprise when designers today
aim for a high level of erotic sexuality in their high end work..
Y said a common misconception associated with fetishism that "because
it's different, it's wrong." "My bottom line is there's a great deal
of diversity in sexual expression," he said. "Even though [fetishism
is] not common, as long as it's safe, people should be objective to
other people interests."
As for not common, we are not sure about that. Fetish behavior today
among men and women is much like gay behavior was a few decades ago,
“In The Closet.” Women, for example, joke about shoe fetishes, but
what do we really know? Perhaps some women do and some do not cross
that sexual line. Men on the other hand say very little about shoes
and boots, but it appears more enjoy this fetish than meets the eye.
Just look at them when a boot clad woman passes by wearing Jimmy Choo
designer knee high black leather 4 inch high heeled pointed toe
stiletto boots. We all know what they looking at, women are also
looking. I wonder what they are thinking?