What is a fetish, and why do people have it?
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The meaning of the word fetish is dependent on whom you are asking to define the word. Outside of the dictionary, the popular definition of a fetish is anything that causes a strong sexual appeal; whether it be an object or an act, and is outside of 'normal' sexually arousing things. Others might add that the fetish is necessary for sexual gratification to be accomplished.
Both of the above definitions, the one from the dictionary and the one from popular culture, are either wrong or incomplete, and seem to be used only by those who don't really understand fetishism (clinical psychology, for example; and even those who have fetishes often don't understand fetishism. Having a fetish does not necessitate comprehension of the object's meaning). By the way, who gets to decide what 'normal' sexual attractions are? The fact that no one really knows what 'normal' is makes the popular definition of fetish invalid, and the fact that fetishes do not have to be associated with sexuality makes the dictionary definition wrong. Well, the dictionary is sort of admitting that fetishes don't have to be sexual; but it says that if they aren't, then they are objects that are "worshipped", and that is wrong.
I can see why many people think fetishes are being worshipped; because people uneducated in fetishism, looking from the outside at a fetish act; to them it could easily appear that the fetish object is being worshipped, but that's not true, the object is not being worshipped; the object is being used as a conduit to reach an altered state or a higher state of consciousness; at least that is what is being attempted by the fetishist, whether they realize what they are doing on a conscious level or not.
For those who do not realize what they are doing in essence, for them, fetishes end up just being objects to enhance sexual gratification, but that is lowest, most unskilled realm of fetishism, and is also the most common conception of fetishism in pop-culture.
Most fetishes are used in non-sexual rituals, though the common conception of a fetish seems to be that they are always used in sex rituals. That is simply not true and is an indication that pop-culture is very ignorant about fetishism.
The main error in pop-culture's definition of the word fetish is that it is thought of as either an act or an object: that is incorrect. A fetish is an object, not an act. (The dictionary does recognize that it is always an object, not an act; so that part of it is actually right.) If a fetish object is being used in a certain act, then and only then can an act be called a fetish act; only because the fetish object is being brought into the act. For example, many people who enjoy being spanked say that they have a "fetish" for spanking. Well, that's not accurate; instead, I would call that a strong affinity, a fixation, or a high interest in spanking, but not a fetish. However, if a person has a particular affinity for a certain object being used on them during a spanking (such a hairbrush) and the sight of the object itself arouses a fantastic interest, this indicates that the object of high interest during spankings is the fetish and the spanking with the object is the fetish act.
a fetish - in sexual terms - is an attraction to an object, part of the body, or act, which increases sexual excitement.
many people have a minor fetish (large breasts, shaven haven, etc) which increases their ardor.
some people have such an extreme fetish, that they can only become aroused if their fetish is involved.
the reasons that people develop fetishes are often associated with experiences in childhood or preteen years.for example, I knew someone who was 'into' golden showers, and he remembered that, as a young boy, he was once 'babysat' by a young lady who left the door open when she went to the bathroom
Just like there are some people who love kissing the high heels of a shoe.
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