Originally the word was thought to come from Portuguese “feitico” and derived from the Latin, “factitius” or “facere”, to do or to make. The implication being the artefact was created artistically or by the supernatural and was worshipped in obsessive fashion because of its magical powers i.e. a lucky talisman. The attraction could be sexual or non-sexual, and the object, inanimate or animate.
The History of Footwear - Foot Fetish and Shoe Retifism
Cameron Kippen, Curtin University of Technology, Perth WA
Originally the word was thought to come from Portuguese “feitico” and derived from the Latin, “factitius” or “facere”, to do or to make. The implication being the artefact was created artistically or by the supernatural and was worshipped in obsessive fashion because of its magical powers i.e. a lucky talisman. The attraction could be sexual or non-sexual, and the object, inanimate or animate. According to Steele (1996), the original meaning was either religious or anthropological. By the nineteenth century, the term had been extended to refer to anything, which was irrationally worshipped. French psychologist, Alfred Binet, was the first to describe fetish in the psychological sense, in 1887. As the science of sexology developed from the nineteenth century the term fetish became firmly associated with sex and the attraction of certain portions of the female body, or specific articles of female attire. Examples of body parts, which attract the fetishist, include feet, hair, buttocks, and breasts; and objects include. gloves, lingerie, hose, leather, brassieres, and garters. In the interests of intellectual exchange the author attempts to describe foot fetish and shoe retifism.
Freud and Fetishism
Current thinkers contest most of Freud observations and his psychological discourse on fetishism has been increasingly challenged. Although Freud’s work is now no longer accepted verbatim his observations came at a time in history where they continue to influence much of modern thinking. In laypersons terms what Freud observed was some men feared the sight of the vulva and to surmount this psychological aversion, the fetishist endowed themselves with the characteristic, which made the female a tolerable sexual object. Freud saw the function of the fetish object as a token of triumph over the threat of castration and a protection against it. Kaplan (1991) summarises the arguement with brevity and wit by observing ” The adult fetish cannot introduce his penis into the temple of doom (vagina) without a fetish to ease the way.” Apologies to any Freudian Psychologist or Psychoanalysts.
The Talisman
Ernest Becker argues fetishism represents the anxiety of the sexual act and the fetish itself as a lucky charm that transforms the terrifying reality in to something that transcends anxiety. Performance anxiety is a male fear and this according to Steele (1996) is one reason why fetishism is almost always a male obsession. The history of fetishism is interesting and there are distinctly two schools of thought. Many believe fetishism has been around for thousands of years whereas others consider it developed only in modern Western society. Freud considered the shoe to represent the female genitals but by the time he wrote about fetishism the foot had been an erogenous zone for centuries. He described the foot as a phallus and when it entered the shoe, union was symbolically complete. Since Freud’s original study of fetishism and his description of the geneses of the symptoms, many additions and elaboration have been made to these propositions.
Fetishism
Fetishism as we would recognise it today appeared in Europe in the eighteen century and crystallised as a distinct sexual phenomenon in the second half of the nineteenth century. (Steele, 1996). Today’s fetishism is associated with perversion involving a sexual association with an inanimate object (Wedeck, 1963) The term evokes images of “kinky” sex, involving abnormal attraction to items of clothing such as high heeled shoes and body parts, i.e. feet. In the past decade, fetishism has become increasingly applied to a wide variety of behaviour some with no overt sexual component. (Nersessian, 1998). This is however outwith the scope of this presentation and the author will restrict the topic to pedal paraphilia.
Foot Fetishism
According to Brame, Brame & Jocobs (1996) the definition of foot fetishism is a pronounced sexual interest in the lower limb or anything that covers portions of them. The allure normally attributed to erogenous zones is literally translocated downward and the fetishist response to the foot is the same as a conventional person’s arousal at seeing genitals. Freud considered foot binding as a form of fetishism. Moderate to high level fetishism would be classified as a type of paraphilia.
Paraphilia
Paraphilia maybe classified as a type of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) through sexual behaviour. Paraphilia describes abnormal digressive behaviour where sexual arousal and gratification depend on fantasising about and engaging in sexual behaviour that is atypical and extreme. To comply with this definition these behaviours should have been an established pattern for no less than six months duration. For some individuals, paraphilic fantasies or stimuli are obligatory for erotic arousal and are always included in sexual activity. In others, the paraphilic preferences occur only episodically, whereas at other times the person is able to function sexually without paraphilic fantasies or stimuli. A paraphilic is distinguished by a preoccupation with the object or behaviour to the point of being dependent on that object or behaviour for sexual gratification. Most behaviours in less extreme circumstances are often quite common and not considered abnormal.
American Psychiatric Association classify paraphilia into two pathological catagories:
Criterion A “The essential features of a Paraphilia are recurrent intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges or behaviors generally involving 1) non-human objects, 2) the suffering or humiliation of oneself or one’s partner, or 3) children or other non-consenting persons, that occur over a period of at least 6 months
Criterion B “The behavior, sexual urges, or fantasies cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other relevant areas of fuctioning.”
Some authorities argue the initial driving force behind the need to seek “pleasure or gratification” is anxiety and distress. It’s very possible that in infancy or childhood, at a primitive learning level, certain individuals discover pleasure and gratification as a coping mechanism to deal with stress, and that, indeed, OCD helps to establish the Paraphilia.
Pedal Paraphilia
In the case of pedal paraphilia, the concentration is on the foot, stockings or shoe. Whilst self-incorporation of feet in foreplay or lovemaking is innocuous only when it becomes the point of psychological dependence, can paraphilia be diagnosed. Fetishism is a type of paraphilia. Ellis (1936), a twentieth century, English essayist, physician and pioneer sexologist was of the opinion the foot (or shoe) was not a mere instrument, but a true symbol and focus of worship to the fetishist. In the true sense of a fetish, the foot (or shoe) became an idealised object which the fetishist was content to contemplate or reverently touch. Ellis & Arabanel (1961) acknowledged the most frequent form of erotic symbolism was that which idealised the foot and shoe. People can also have a sock or hose fetishism. Many are males but there are some noted case studies of females with hose fixation. The habit is often associated with an auto-erotic asphyxia fixation which is sexually driven. Like feet and shoes, hose fetishists require some specific attraction in the object which may include special colours, shape or smell. People with sock fixation will have no special attraction to feet or shoes.
Causes of Fetishism
Sexual behaviours including preferences are in part governed by biological factors and fetishism seems to be a product of both history and nature. At present there is no satisfactory explanation why fetishism is more common among males then females. Like many sexual paraphilia or unusual erotic inclinations, the cause remains unknown albeit there are many theories:
- Psychoanalysists theorise that an individual with a paraphilia is repeating or reverting to a sexual habit that arose early in life. They believe these usually relate to early childhood experience, which involves a psychological or psychosexual catalyst. Certain individuals discover pleasure and gratification as a coping mechanism to deal with stress. The memory becomes a fixation until it converts into repetitive behaviour. Freud was the first to insist the extravagant sexual theories of little boys may be out grown or forgotten but they were never entirely given up. They were repressed but persist as unconscious fantasies that were ready to return whenever there was a serious threat imagined or actual, to the man’s hard earned masculinity. Freud was interested why some objects were more commonly associated with fetish than others. He considered it had something to do with the last minute before the woman could be considered as phallic. Hence this might account for why items of clothing such as underwear would become the focus of the fetishist. Shoes according to Freud would evoke the moment when the young boy glanced up his mother’s skirt. Feminist thinkers contest the Freudian approach as phallocentric and believe fetishism is classified as a perversion because it disrupts the phallocentric or penis-focused, sexual disorder.
- Behaviourists suggest paraphilia begins through a process of conditioning, e.g. non-sexual objects can be associated with intense sexual pleasure and if repeated often enough can result in the person preferring these circumstances to normal contact.
- Other theories include sexual phobia, impotence or some other sexual dysfunction, which enforces individuals to seek alternative gratification.
The literature cites many cases where complete orgasm or ejaculation is incomplete until foot loving takes place. There is however no evidence of any genetic or hereditary factors. Recent research would indicate a potential connection to specific organic lesions of the brain with conditions such as epilepsy being implicated. Many psychologists today believe that Freudian theories have little scientific validity and they place more credence in neurological factors. The higher incidence of males is more than likely due to generic, hormonal or evolutionary causes. One interesting interpretation is attraction to body features such as feet maybe part of reproductive biology. Those items of interest reflect conditions associated with fertile females and these may be simulated or exaggerated by fashion including tight packaging such as corsets and shoes. According to Brame, Brame & Jacobs (1996) most of the fetishists they interviewed, who listed foot fetishism as an interest, recalled an erotic encounter with feet in childhood i.e. crawling near an adults foot and feeling pleasantly stimulated, using parent’s shoes as playthings, being tickled or nudged or trod on by a parent or other child. Most of those interviewed admitted to have had pre-existing desires or attractions. Fetishists reported being attracted to specific shoe styles some not available during their childhood which led the authors to consider the precise source of excitement may be amenable to change. The causes of fetishism are however likely to be complex or at least, multifactorial. Whatever the cause, paraphiliacs seldom seek treatment and in many cases the individual derives such immense pleasure that giving it up would be unthinkable. When the combination of drug therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy (Kafka, 1996; Bender, 1998).
Levels of Fetishism
There seems to be a continuum of behaviour. Level 1, or Partialism (Stekel, 1964) describes a mild preference for certain kinds of sexual partners, sexual stimuli or sexual activity. Not a true fetish but instead a liking towards. The second level describes a low intensity fetishism where a stronger preference to certain kinds of sexual partners, sexual stimuli or sexual activity are evident. Normal sexual relationships continue but may incorporate the object of attraction in foreplay. Level 3, or Moderate intensity fetishism describes specific stimuli which are necessary for sexual arousal and sexual performance. With moderate intensity fetishism it is usual for the male fetishist to concentrate on the object with such focus as to make the object the key feature of the sexual interest and activity (Caprio, 1967; Flugel, 1930, cited in Rossi, 1990). Menninger, also referred to in Rossi (1990), considered the unconscious mind capable of substituting various parts of the body for the genitals. Hence individuals became sexually excited and ultimately gratified by the contemplation of caressing of the foot, toe, sock or shoe. Level 4, or High level fetishism (Gebhartt, 1994) described where specific stimuli take the place of the sexual partner.
Object Fetishism
Inanimate object fetish can be sub divided into form and media fetish.
- In the form fetish, it is the object and its shape that are important e.g. high heeled shoes.
- In a media fetish it is the material that attracts e.g. hard materials like leather and soft materials such as fur.
Animate object fetish involves parts of the body i.e. feet, legs and buttocks, ankles , toes etc. Steele believed it was often impossible to draw a clear line between foot and shoe fetishism albeit other authorities would take a different opinion.
Obsessive Compulsion
Freud was convinced all women were clothes fetishist, and believed clothes were worn to provocitively shield the erotic body. Most authorities now acknowledge there is a difference between foot and shoe fetishism (Retifism) and someone who innocently collects shoes. This behaviour is neither thought to be pathological fetishism nor normal fetishising. It usually involves females but not exclusively. This area of human behaviour is much neglected within the literature. Fetishism is not thought to be a typical female trait (Richards, 1996). Fetishism is a fixation on an object or body part that is not primarily sexual in nature, and the compulsive need for its use in order to obtain sexual gratification. The fetish object is almost invariably used during masturbation and may also be incorporated into sexual activity with a partner in order to produce sexual excitation. Fetishists usually collect the object of their favor, and may go to great lengths, including theft, to acquire just the “right” addition for their collection.
Profile of Foot Fetishist
Published research indicates fetishists have poorly developed social skills, are quite isolated in their lives and have a diminished capacity for establishing intimacy. Rossi (1990) reported the majority of male fetishists were married, living perfectly conventional lives with their spouse, who in turn were fully aware of partner’s behaviours and preferences. In most instances the author reported the fetish did not interfere with normal sexual relations. Clearly there seems to be a dichotomy of thought. Perhaps the former description meets the profit of level 3 & 4 Fetishism and Rossi’s description Level I & 2. However there remains a derth of informed opinion within the scientific literature and as such no hard and fast conclusions can be made. Not all footlovers (or podophiles) are shoe fetishists, or vice versa and seldom will they be attracted to both. The majority of fetishists are completely unaware of the beginings of their love of the foot. Foot fetishists tend to keep their inclination concealed for fear of social ridicule or other apprehensions. They maintain a close network of fellow fetishists wherein they function comfortably. Clubs and now wbsites have sprung up all of the globe catering for these special interests. Foot fetishists can be found in every sphere of society, and this includes many famous and influencial people including; Casanova, von Goethe, Charles Pierre Baudelaire, George du Maurier, Thomas Hardy, and F Scott Fitzgerald.
Demographic Distribution
Estimating the number of foot fetishists is complicated because many are latent or closeted. Most authorities agree men are more likely to be sexually aroused by their pedal fetish than women although no one is entirely sure why this is so. When incidence is compared to other paraphiliac behaviour such as exhibitionism, cross dressing, and sadomasochism, the population have similar demography (Krafft-Ebing, 1965). There is no reliable data on the number of foot fetishists but estimates indicate something in the region of between one quarter to three quarters of one per cent of the adult male population (aged over 17). Translated into Australian , that would mean there were approx 50k in the country with 4.5k in WA. Enough to fill a medium sized stadium to overflow. Those waiting at the gate would represent the number of male foot fetishists in the state of WA.
What turn’s them on ?
Fetishists view the foot as others seek aesthetic pleasure from some other erogenous form. Points of attraction include the size of the foot, curve of the arch and instep, the length and straightness of the toes, the texture and complexion of the skin, contours of the heel and ankle, the softness of the sole, and if possible, even the foot odour. Each segment is an exquisite part to kiss, bite, caress, lick and fondle. Even the toes are used to simulate fellatio (Stekel, 1964). The fetishists attraction to the foot (or shoe) is because it has exactly the characteristics considered most attractive and elegant in the female personality. Unless these features match completely then no attraction will take place (Ellis, 1936). The fetish is usually meticulous about cleanliness although there have been reports in the scientific literature about dirty feet being of particular attraction, especially in homosexual foot fetishists. Foot odour is a powerful sexual arousal factor for podophiliacs. Aigremont reported in Rossi (1990) the smell of feet was to the fetishist the same as the smell of the genitals to others and the olfactory stimulus added to the sexual excitement. Foot lovers like to be stimulated visually and will gaze at pictures of feet. By in large foot lovers enjoy relatively gentle aesthetically pleasing scenes that concentrate on soft caresses, kissing or licking and worship. They revel in the sensuality of the object of their desires.
The fetishist experiences intense sexual excitement and arousal from direct pedal lovemaking which is either used as precoital behaviour or a substitute for coitus itself. Most shoe and foot fetishists are relieved to learn their partner will usually accommodate footloving into normal intimacies. This is probably because foot fetishism is usually considered non-pathological and a variation of normal intimacy. The foot is a very tactile organ which gives sensual pleasure to both partners. Foot tickling can itself provide a pleasant foreplay as well as an erotic response. The devoted foot fetishist will voyeur feet in the same way others seek the opportunity to view people dressed in tight clothing. They are naturally attracted to feet dressed in open design footwear such a high heel sandals. The focus of their attention is on the behaviour of the owner especially in the way the person uses their feet in non verbal ways.
Retifism
Shoe fetishists or retifists are similar in principal to foot fetishists but their stimulus i.e. the shoe, becomes the total focus for arousal. Some shoe fetishists need only the shoe and not the person to be satisfied. Others will incorporate a shoe within their normal coital habits and to the true shoe fetishist complete satisfaction is impossible unless a shoe is involved.
The Erotic Shoe
Flugel (1930) described the phenomena where clothes could not only arose sexual interest but in themself symbolised the sex organs. Because the shoe became the erogenous zone then lovemaking incorporated all that would take place around genitalia. i.e. kissing, licking, biting and caressing. The delicate parts of the shoe resemble to the shoe fetishist the anatomy of genitalia. Even the aroma of the shoe has powerful aphrodisiac properties. The heel seems to represent the phallus and is an aspect oft favoured. The owner of the shoe is never seen as an entity from the shoe.
Profile of a retifist
Brame, Brame & Jacobs (1996) stated that many foot fetishists felt uncomfortable with tastes which seemed extreme or kinky. Many foot lovers were repelled by D & S or acts considered unclean , such as sniffing socks. This may be a manifestation of their internal conflict i.e. if foot fetishism was shameful then other kinky desires were even less acceptable. As a group gay men seem to be the most at ease with foot /shoe fetishism. The belief is since homosexuals men have already come to terms with a momentous social challenge in their sexuality then acceptance of stimuli is no major drama. Retifists usually collect women’s shoes and have exquisite taste for elegant style. Their preference covers the seven basic shoe styles described by Rossi (1993) and materials such as leather and furs often influence their choice. Retifists will personalise their collection by giving names to their favourite shoes. Possession of shoes is important to the retifist and in cases of paraphilia, men may steal the shoes they are attracted to. Kiernan (1917, reported in Rossi, 1990) first described the term kleptolagnia which was used when theft took place when associated with sexual excitement. “Hephephilia” is a term used when there is an uncontrolable urge to steal the objects of specific focus. Many hephephiliacs are ordinary people with no criminal intention other than a compulsion to possess the object of their desire due to a repressed or complicated sex life. Theft from shops is common as is robbery from private property. Many retifists keep copious records of their activities all of which adds to their excitement. Shoe snatching, including foot assaults, have been reported around the world. When these cases do come to court however the behaviour is often dismissed as a trivial deviation. Most medical authorities agree such behavioyur signifies power and indicates domination. Richard von Krafft-Ebing considered the majority of shoe fetishists were masochists. Wedeck (1963) described this behaviour as someone who would steal shoes from their victim and tear, slash or burn them to attain a sexual climax. Famous retifists include: Publius Ovidius Naso (or Ovid), Omar Kayyam, Restif de La Bretonne, Leo Tolstoy, Feodor Dostoevski, Paul Murphy, and Oled Cassini
The Bootman
Retifists report higher use of sex services because they find difficulty in trying to convince their partners to comply with their fantasies. The term “bootman” is commonly used within the sex industry to describe retifists. In the majority of cases, shoe fetishism pose no danger to others and individuals pursue their use of the fetish object in private , usually through masturbation. To the submissive foot fetishist the idea of kissing the masters feet relishes his physical , psychological and even social inferiority to the dominant.
Other Dialliances
- Bondage High heels are considered to restrict movement and therefore perceived as a form of enslaving which some people find erotic. Often the very appearance of restriction is exciting to the fetishist. The impression of an ankle harness for instance can to the discerning eye appear as if the beautiful is enslaved. Immobile fantasies are a prime turn on for acrotomophiles. Tickling and tickling persuits is a form of power and dominence.
- Cross Dressing Foot fetishists are not necessarily sexually motivated and may just enjoy wearing women’s shoes (Wise et al, 1991). Terms like feeling sexy, appearing attractive to others, and exuding power in stature are popular reasons for the habit. Some men love the sound high heeled shoes make and others revel in the different materials they are made from. Most wearers insist it is the comfort of the style which draws them to women’s shoes and not the idea of the shoe as a sex toy. Wise et al, (1991) described clothing and other objects (fetish) as objects which could be used repeatedly and expediently without any relational costs or commitments. -
- Sadomasochism Submissive foot lovers usually prefer psychological domination or comfortable bondage to pain. In establishments such as leather bars, there are submissive bootblacks, available to polish patron’s shoes and boots. Forms of sadism run the gambit from the fairly common carefully controlled play-acting with a willing partner, in which the mild forms of pain that result from such acts as spanking and biting are not actually experienced as painful. To the very rare assaultive behaviours that may include torture, rape or even murder. Likewise masochism can range from mild versions to extremes. Mild forms may include bondage. Tight lacing excites desire not just because it has a constraining effect but also because it carries the promise of release. The high laced boots of the Victorian grande cocotte were unequivocally sexual. These acts are mainly symbolic enactments done under carefully controlled conditions by a trusted partner. At the other end of the spectrum are genuinely painful activities such as whippings, semi strangulation, being trampled upon and self mutilation. Most sadomasochistic acts in their extreme forms can be physically and psychologically dangerous, the majority of people engaging in these behaviours do so with the understanding of the risks and stay within carefully predetermined limits. In retifistic pornography often the malre is physically damaged by the women’s high heel shoe. The high heeled shoe is a symbol of love and also a symbol of aggression.
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