Podophilia, foot partialism, or simply foot fetish make up almost 50% of all kinks. This obsession with feet and associated parts are the most common fetish that does not involve the genitalia. Studies show that 1 in 7 people have some form of foot fetishism. However, this fetish does not necessarily have to involve just feet.
Are Foot Feshishes Common?
Foot fetishes can take many forms, the most common one being people’s obsession with the smell of feet. An aspect of olfactory fetishism, 45% of all foot fetishes revolve around the smell of feet. Aside from this, people may be turned on by the look or feel of toes, feet, or soles. Some are attracted to specific sizes and shapes while others enjoy lavishing attention on them. And that’s also why you’ve many websites like FeetFinder coming up, where people pay to see feet pics online.
Foot fetishes can translate as extreme adoration for feet, involving kissing, cuddling, massaging, and sucking feet. Penetration using toes is also an option. Others may also like to involve feet-related toys and accessories in the experience. People may even use garters, stockings, socks, jewelry, and more to enhance their experience.
Why Do Some People Have Foot Fetishes?
Foot fetishes are acknowledged more openly compared to other fetishes. The influence of the media and popular films has opened up the conversation on this subject. However, it does not mean that foot fetishes are still a stigma in most cultures. However, because of its visibility, it is better studied and researched than most other sexual fetishes.
There is no single answer to explain why some people are turned on by feet. A person’s arousal for feet may be connected to his socio-cultural upbringing. Psychological factors during childhood also may play a part in the development of this fetish. Additionally, several neuroscientists and biologists also have put forward theories explaining the significance of biological markers in foot fetishes.
Scientists believe that people who are turned on by feet may have a condition known as podophilia, which is a type of paraphilia. This condition is thought to be primarily a combination of biological and psychological factors. The psychoanalytical take on foot fetishes tends to revolve around childhood experiences.
Childhood Imprinting
According to this theory, a person may get turned on by feet if they experience a significant event involving the appendage in their early years. This experience could be emotional or physical, and sometimes could even be traumatic. Whatever the case, such instances leave lasting impressions on the individual’s mind. A foot fetish would then emerge out of this experience as the person matures into adulthood.
One of the most well-known theories is from Sigmund Freud. According to him, people are turned on by feet or toes because they see them to be a quelle surprise or a penis substitute. Freud postulates that children imprint their mothers’ feet to be a surrogate for the missing phallus during the pre-pubescent phase.
During early childhood, children may develop a fixation for foot play. They learn to associate feet with pleasure as their parents are continually kissing or fondling their feet. Thus because of this attention, they may come to associate the feet with some form of “reward.” These experiences rewire the individual’s way to respond to feet sexually.
Past Experiences
These events also don’t strictly have to be during early childhood. Survey shows that foot fetishes can develop with experience, especially during puberty. For example, if a person has had an intense experience involving feet, they may be more likely to have a foot fetish. Significant events involving feet during puberty can develop into a full-blown fixation later in life.
For some people, the relative “secrecy” of the feet also may be a major contributor to their attraction. These individuals may come to associate the foot with other covered-up body parts like breasts and butts. Since these regions are typically covered up in public, they may create arousal with their covering.
Additionally, not many people touch feet intentionally, making the act of “touching with purpose” all the more arousing. For such individuals, the aspect of being covered up and hidden from sight plays a major role in their urges. These people may thus likely have an attraction toward foot-related accessories and gear like heels, stockings, and more.
Biological Factors
Meanwhile, biological explanations for foot fetishism also suggest that the brain may be wired to respond to feet sexually.
Studies show that the part of the brain that processes genital arousal is in close proximity to the region processing feet-based stimulation. Because of this closeness, the sight or sensation of feet may trigger arousal in some people. Certain hormones or neurotransmitters may be released when a person is aroused from the “pleasure” section of the somatosensory cortex. Since these two regions lie precariously together, some connections or signals may get crossed. Such a situation could lead to the development of a foot fetish.
Additionally, some research suggests that people with a foot fetish may have a heightened sensitivity to the tactile sensations of feet. Each foot in the human body has over 7000 nerve endings. Stimulation of these reactors could explain why some people are so drawn to them. There are specific subtypes of foot fetishes that involve stimulating these nerve endings to produce pleasurable sensations.
Conclusion
People may also be turned on by feet due to socio-cultural reasons. For example, feet in Asian cultures are often seen as symbols of beauty, power, and status. These indicators could lead people to have an association between feet and pleasure. In these cultures, individuals may be exposed to images of feet in a sexual context. For example, in China, foot binding was a practice seen as a sign of beauty and status. The sight of feet in these cultures could thus trigger sexual urges and arousal.
To conclude, there are a variety of explanations for why some people are turned on by feet. These explanations range from biological and psychological factors to cultural influences and social reasons. Some people may indulge in the fetish to satisfy their submissive or dominant sides. But whatever the reason, science shows that foot fetishes are a healthy form of arousal. Since this fetish tends to develop primarily in early childhood, it is common across cultures.
