Although commonly tagged as a psychological disorder, if safe, fetishism can be an enjoyable experience for those engaging in the practice, ISU experts say.

Fetishism is a type of psycho-sexual disorder where individuals have intense fantasies that involve intense sexual urges or sexual fantasies through non-living objects, said Norman Scott, associate professor of psychology.

Scott, who teaches Psychology 460, an abnormal psychology class, 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,” Scott said. “The urges or behavior must cause substantial disturbance to the person’s daily life.”

Scott said the most common types of fetishes are for shoes, boots and women’s underwear.

Robert Hensley, 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,” Hensley said.

“If someone has a foot fetish, they may look at [the foot] or be touched [by the foot] while masturbating.”

Scott said fetishism is most commonly practiced by males.

“Males are much more likely to engage in fetishism,” Scott said. “It doesn’t mean it can’t occur in females though.”

Hensley, who teaches HDFS 276, a human sexuality course, said those who possess fetishes will usually keep their activities private from others.

“[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, Scott said.

“This is usually not seen as harmful or destructive,” he said.

Scott, however, described the many types of fetishes 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.”

Scott said people who practice fetishism may experience depression, sadness, guilt or emptiness in missing out on daily activities.

Scott said it’s relatively infrequent for people who practice fetishism to seek counseling due to the satisfaction that arises from the fetish.

While there is treatment that exists, the success rate is not overwhelming, he said.

“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,” he said.

Scott said many abnormal psychology textbooks categorize fetishism under the category of sexual disorders.

However, the practice may be considered OK if it were mutually accepted.

“I suppose some elements [of fetishism] could be useful in terms of sexual arousal and enjoyment if two individuals find the fetish mutually arousing,” he said.

Scott 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,” he said.

“Certain kinds of clothing seem appealing, like in Victoria’s Secret ads.”

Hensley 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.”