Fetishism

Alright, so, a discussion about fur-fans the other day inspired me to make this thread; while the atmosphere it took place in wasn't serious at all, the subject itself is suited to a more serious atmosphere. Now, I know plenty of fur-fans, and I know that there really isn't anything wrong with them; heck, I wasn't able to tell that they were fur-fans until a few months after I met most of them, when they told me to check out their DA accounts (Or showed me photographs of them in their suits or whatever). But yeah, point is, most of them aren't insane and don't allow it to mix in with their everyday real lives. Private business remains private.

This brings us back to that conversation. The person I was talking to was arguing that furryism is completely unacceptable, and seemed to express regret that society doesn't completely treat them as outcasts allowing them to perish alone, despite the same person admitting that fetishism isn't a matter of choice. I couldn't really tell if the person was being serious or not (If those views were truthful, I probably wouldn't want to see what would happen if that person became a powerful world leader), but whether or not the original discussion held any merit is irrelevant, as it raised an issue and inspired a more serious discussion here.

So, what are your views are fetishism? Is it alright for people to have these fetishes, or do you believe measures need to be taken to silence them or somehow "remove" fetishism from society (I really don't see fetishism as something that can be easily reversed, if it can be reversed at all)? Do you believe that fetishism is due to choice (Something I don't agree with), due to biology (Something else that I don't agree with), or due to a number of environmental influences during the course of a person's sexual development (I think this is the most reasonable explanation; fetishism, as most fetishists would agree, isn't something that they chose to develop. They just "discovered" what turned them on, and it's probably most reasonable to assume that they developed their fetish over years of subconscious influence).

I honestly don't see why people get so angry over fetishists and what private sexual activities they partake in. Considering that fetishism isn't a matter of choice (Rather, it is a matter of choice for someone to act on their fetish, and as long as it doesn't end up in harming someone else, who are we to say they can't pleasure themselves?), I don't see any problem with it, whatsoever. Further, everyone has some sort of sexual fetish; if you claim that you don't, you're either denying it, haven't discovered it yet (And you eventually will), or you're a very, very, very rare type of individual. So, chances are, if you're complaining about the "♥♥♥♥♥♥ry" of a certain fetish, you're being a hypocrite.

Well, anyway, let's discuss. What are your opinions on fetishism?

It depends on what a particular fetish is. This world is not black and white and to say there is nothing wrong with fetishes is an extreme view.

I personaly am a believer that virtue is the middle point of two extremes. To say that all fetishes are wrong, is one extreme, and to say that any fetish is good/ok is another. But to say that some fetishes are good/ok and some are not is a balanced view.

Child pornography is a point i would raise. I certainly do not view this as an acceptable fetish in anyway. Yet some may argue that there is no real victim, if it is just naked photo's and no physical/emotional harm is done.

Faving a fetish of feet however, is to me an acceptable one (albeit a strange one, yet i guess that is what a fetish is, is it not?).

Originally Posted by AzraelBlack

It depends on what a particular fetish is. This world is not black and white and to say there is nothing wrong with fetishes is an extreme view.

I personaly am a believer that virtue is the middle point of two extremes. To say that all fetishes are wrong, is one extreme, and to say that any fetish is good/ok is another. But to say that some fetishes are good/ok and some are not is a balanced view.

I believe that the world is not black and white, either. Because of that, I believe that there is no good nor evil; therefore, it is impossible to label a fetish as "evil."

What we can label fetishes as is harmful or not harmful (Therefore, our views of fetishism would be based on logic and not blind morality or emotion), and I brought that up in my original post when I stated that it is alright as long as it doesn't involve harming another individual.

Child pornography is a point i would raise. I certainly do not view this as an acceptable fetish in anyway. Yet some may argue that there is no real victim, if it is just naked photo's and no physical/emotional harm is done.

Faving a fetish of feet however, is to me an acceptable one (albeit a strange one, yet i guess that is what a fetish is, is it not?).

Photography of nude children could very well prove harmful, and that's why I oppose it. That is why I believe that cartoon pornography--as in lolicon hentai or whatever--is an acceptable alternative for individuals burdened with pedophilia, as it doesn't involve any real children.

Originally Posted by Andross

I believe that the world is not black and white, either. Because of that, I believe that there is no good nor evil; therefore, it is impossible to label a fetish as "evil."

What we can label fetishes as is harmful or not harmful (Therefore, our views of fetishism would be based on logic and not blind morality or emotion)

The i must ask you too, define why you do not believe in good nor evil. And why you believe something which is not harmful to be good, and something which is harmful to be bad/evil

You can see where i'm getting with that can't you, there is good/evil, whether your morality is based on subjectivity (nihilism, satanism or even just your own made up morality) or objectivity (religious or golden rule based)

Because what we are discussing here, is indeed a moral issue, to ask if something is right or wrong, good or evil, or simply good or bad is indeed a discussion of morality, from any philosophical stand point.

Photography of nude children could very well prove harmful, and that's why I oppose it. That is why I believe that cartoon pornography--as in lolicon hentai or whatever--is an acceptable alternative for individuals burdened with pedophilia, as it doesn't involve any real children.

Yes it could well prove that it is not harmful. But lets for arguements sake, imagine this hypothesis.

A mother takes naked pictures of her daughter/son. And sells the gallery to a pedophile. The child is never disadvantaged from this in anyway, and is never aware of it. and never suffers from any repercussions.

is that a moral situation?

Originally Posted by AzraelBlack

Child pornography is a point i would raise. I certainly do not view this as an acceptable fetish in anyway.

Viewing child pornography isn't a fetish...that would be pedophilia, and there's really nothing wrong with it. Viewing child pornography is a felony and a rather immoral one to boot imo. You can be a pedophile and not view child pornography.

Fetishism is a rather natural process whether it's inherited through our choices or somehow a genetic meme or a mix of both. I think the people that get overly angry about people making fun of their fetishes really need to reassess themselves, I've always found that making fun of fetishes, especially my own, to be part of the process of not only making yourself content with your fetishes but discovering new and interesting ones also.

@Big One
If pedophelia is not a fetish, could you please define what a fetish is then?

To me a Fetish is: A sexual interest which can be seen by society as taboo, odd, strange, immoral or simply out of the norm.

I certainly see pedophelia as a fetish. If one were to follow my defenition of it.



Although i agree with you i believe that Fetishes are natural processes, the likes of which many are harmless and merely different ways of expressing ones sexuality. They are for the most part, just aspects of our character.

That is not to say that some fetishes can be immoral/wrong/bad/evil which ever word floats your boat.

Originally Posted by AzraelBlack

@Big One
If pedophelia is not a fetish, could you please define what a fetish is then?

To me a Fetish is: A sexual interest which can be seen by society as taboo, odd, strange, immoral or simply out of the norm.

I certainly see pedophelia as a fetish. If one were to follow my defenition of it.

Did you even read my post? I said pedophilia was a fetish, but the looking at child pornography...isn't, you were referring to that specific act. And in any matter in a discussion like this it's always best to refer to that as pedophilia for sake of clarity. The morality of looking at child pornography really doesn't need to be discussed in this thread.

Of course i read you post, but i don't think you were very clear with that sentence, as i obviously though you were saying the opposite.

This is a serious discussion about fetishes, and the morality of fetishes is will logically be part of that discussion.

Thus is you believe that pedophelia is a fetish, then you must agree that the morality of pedophelia is to be discussed as well. Especially if it has a point to the discussion. Which it does, because i am using it as an example of how some fetishes are immoral and unnacceptable.

Originally Posted by AzraelBlack

@Big One
To me a Fetish is: A sexual interest which can be seen by society as taboo, odd, strange, immoral or simply out of the norm.

In simplest terms, a sexual fetish is to become aroused due to an object or activity that is not generally perceived to be erotic or sexually charged in nature. Usually they are inherently seen as being odd or strange by the rest of society purely because they...kind of are. It's the whole point.

Of course, some are more acceptable than others. A foot or shoe fetish is far more easy to get your head around than any kind of BDSM or Furry fetish and such.

As for my stance on fetishes; as long as the sexual activity that involves the fetish is taking place between two consenting and legal adults, people can pretty much do what they like, also providing the fetish does not involve any serious criminal implications (for example, a snuff fetishist can roleplay all they like, but obviously the actually act out their fetish would be not so much good).

'nuff said.

Everyone has some sort of weird fetish, so I see no reason why we should judge others for their fetishes. as long as whatever fantasies someone wants to live out occurs between two consenting adults then it isn't anyone else's business.

Originally Posted by AzraelBlack

@Big One
If pedophelia is not a fetish, could you please define what a fetish is then?

To me a Fetish is: A sexual interest which can be seen by society as taboo, odd, strange, immoral or simply out of the norm.

I certainly see pedophelia as a fetish. If one were to follow my defenition of it.

A fetish is an intense sexual attraction to something that is otherwise not sexual, ie: a foot, an ear, band-aids, cosplay, shoes, etc. Many people have fetishes and don't even realize it. That's why BDSM is considered a fetish--or at least, the most well known fetish--it's being turned on by being tied up. Being tied up isn't exactly sexual at all, but these people are turned on by it. Society views this as weird or creepy, and it's the most blatant fetish out there, so that's probably why you thought fetishes were socially unacceptable things.

I don't really see how anyone would consider 'furries' to be bad in any way, (unless you are referring to zoophilia which i doubt you are) furries don't actually exist, and therefore the only sort of thing related to them would be people in costumes, or drawings.

Compare this to child pornography where it can be real, and can be very harmful if it is. As well as zoophilia, to a lesser extent because it is animals and not humans though.

Any fetish is probably natural, and as long as it is kept in the imagination and in animated images, it's okay by me.

Originally Posted by Flames of Valor

furries don't actually exist

Furries refer to the people who enjoy anthropomorphic animals also, so yes they do indeed exist.

Originally Posted by Big One

Furries refer to the people who enjoy anthropomorphic animals also, so yes they do indeed exist.

I suppose I got my slang mixed up, by using the term furry, I was referring to the anthropomorphic animal. It's easier to call then the furries than the people who actually like it, they should be called like, furphiles or something. Otherwise, I have to type out anthropomorphic animal every time.

It's highly common for people to judge one enough on something like a fetish. I spent a while studying several different "weird" fetishes for different psychology papers and the one definite thing I found out is that there is no normal. Everyone has something, even the absence of an actual fetish can be considered a fetish to some. Furries have gotten kind of a bad wrap, from what I've been told a lot of it is due to that CSI episode a few years ago. But again, this is the case with most weirder fetishes.

As long as they are not hurting anyone 9without their consent) then I have nothing wrong with Fetishes. Everyone has them, and I'm sure mine are stranger then most, so calling a particular fetish evil in nature really is just the pot calling the kettle black.

There is nothing wrong about possessing a fetish.

Depending on what the fetish is, and how you act on it, though, you may do something morally/legally wrong.

So, being a paedophile is not innately evil, depraved, etc.
Having sex with minors (or supporting those who do so) is wrong.
Looking at drawings of/legal adults pretending to be underage is not wrong.

Similarly, being aroused by the idea of rape is not innately wrong.
Raping people is wrong ("No duh!" You all cry.)
Role-playing rape with a consenting partner is not wrong.
etc.



As for why people react the way they do, that's pretty simple. Humans are hard-wired to see sex as a big deal. Our society amplifies that quite a bit by having most authority figures, in some way or other, saying what we can, and cannot, do sexually. So, when someone does something sexual that society in general doesn't agree with lots of people will feel that an important taboo has been violated, even if they can't say why.

This leads to feelings of disgust, revulsion, and maybe hatred.

I try to be as open minded as I can. Some fetishes do gross me out, but, honestly, unless you're pushing it in my face I don't care what you do with your partner in the bedroom. Or dungeon.

Originally Posted by John

There is nothing wrong about possessing a fetish.

Depending on what the fetish is, and how you act on it, though, you may do something morally/legally wrong.

So, being a paedophile is not innately evil, depraved, etc.
Having sex with minors (or supporting those who do so) is wrong.
Looking at drawings of/legal adults pretending to be underage is not wrong.

Similarly, being aroused by the idea of rape is not innately wrong.
Raping people is wrong ("No duh!" You all cry.)
Role-playing rape with a consenting partner is not wrong.
etc.



As for why people react the way they do, that's pretty simple. Humans are hard-wired to see sex as a big deal. Our society amplifies that quite a bit by having most authority figures, in some way or other, saying what we can, and cannot, do sexually. So, when someone does something sexual that society in general doesn't agree with lots of people will feel that an important taboo has been violated, even if they can't say why.

This leads to feelings of disgust, revulsion, and maybe hatred.

I try to be as open minded as I can. Some fetishes do gross me out, but, honestly, unless you're pushing it in my face I don't care what you do with your partner in the bedroom. Or dungeon.

So then it comes down to how the single persons mind works. Where he/she draw's the line so to say.

As long as no one is being harmed while one is indulging in his/her fetish, then I don't care what turns people on.
This shouldn't really be an issue. Most people have at least one.

Mine is boots. I'm not ashamed.
I have some others too.

As a fetishist myself, I don't know what the big deal is. As long as it's done between two consenting adults, and isn't incest, people should go for it.