Shoe Fetish a common fetish, some experts explain

Shoe Fetish


Shoes are a common fetish, some experts explain

Although commonly tagged as a psychological preference, if safe, 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?