What’s the Difference Between Fetish and Kink?
Sexual fetishes and kinks are often thought of as interchangeable, and both typically fall outside what is considered mainstream sexual practices.
The key difference between the two is that a fetish is considered a sexual need, while a kink is a sexual preference. In other words, someone with a fetish needs a particular object, body part, or behavior in order to achieve sexual arousal or gratification, while someone with a kink may enjoy many different types of sexual play.
Some examples of kinks include role play, sensation play, and BDSM (an umbrella term for sexual activities that involve physical restraint, control, and/or pain). These kinks can become fetishes if a person requires them in order to become sexually aroused or fully satisfied.
Why Do People Have Fetishes?
The exact cause of a fetish is not entirely understood, but several theories exist, including:
Parental relationships. A 2014 study on adults with an adult baby/diaper fetish revealed that their fetish was linked to their early maternal and paternal relationships. Male respondents who had a negative relationship with their father, for instance, were more likely to have sex with a “daddy” figure and play with baby toys during their experiences. Those with a more positive relationship with their father were less likely to find adult men sexually stimulating and more likely to find adult women and diapers sexually stimulating.
Conditioning. Another theory is that people can be conditioned to have a fetish, much like Pavlov’s dog. This theory proposes that sex fetishes develop when a nonsexual stimulus is paired with sexual thoughts and behavior. For example, one study found that when men were exposed to sexually explicit photos and a pair of women’s boots, they were eventually able to get erections when they saw the boots without the photos.
Trauma. Some research proposes that experiencing abuse or neglect as a child can lead to low self-esteem, poor social skills, and a lack of effective coping methods. These factors may then increase the odds that someone will seek sexual gratification through non-traditional routes, which may result in a fetish.
Personality. There’s also the possibility that sexual preferences are diverse because people are diverse. A strained relationship with dad, a sexual encounter involving boots, or early childhood trauma are not requirements for fetishism. You may simply like what you like.
Types of Fetishes
It’s impossible to share every single fetish here, but if you’re still struggling to figure out what they are and what they look like, here are a few fetish examples:
Aquaphilia
Aquaphilia is a fetish for water, which may include having sex in wet places like the shower or a swimming pool.
Body Modification
Somebody with a body modification fetish may get sexually aroused by the sight or sensation of tattoos or piercings.
Bondage
This form of BDSM involves restraint, which can look like tying up your partner with rope, being handcuffed to the bed frame, or muzzling your partner.
Chastity
You’ve probably heard of a medieval chastity belt, or an item of clothing meant to prevent sexual intercourse or masturbation. People with chastity fetishes may get turned on by blocked genitals, which may include chastity belts or cock cages.
Diapers
Diaper fetishes are typically part of age play, where one partner is the “mommy” or “daddy” and the other partner is the baby. Someone with this fetish may get sexual pleasure from wearing or using a diaper (or having their partner do so).
Exhibitionism
Someone with an exhibitionism fetish will find sexual pleasure in being watched while having sex or while naked. This can be practiced safely and ethically at sex parties where participants are consenting.
Foot Fetish
A foot fetish is probably the most well-known fetish out there. It involves sexual attraction to feet, toes, and/or shoes.
Hirsutophilia
A person with hirsutophilia finds body hair sexually arousing.
Katoptronophilia
Kaptoptronophilia is a sexual fetish for mirrors. This may include masturbating or having sex in front of a mirror.
Lactophilia
A lactation fetish means you are turned on by breastfeeding, whether by watching someone lactate, having sex with someone who is lactating, and/or sucking on a lactating breast.
Macrophilia
Macrophilia is a fetish for giant people or giant objects. You may also fantasize about being overpowered by these giants or even crushed.
Maschalagnia
Turned on by smelling, licking, or tickling armpits? You may have maschalagnia, or an armpit fetish, which can lead to armpit intercourse.
Odaxelagnia
Odaxelagnia is a fetish for biting or being bitten and may be included in BDSM play.
Pregnancy Fetish
This one is just what it sounds like—a fetish for pregnant people. There’s also a breeding fetish, when someone is aroused by the act of impregnation, which may involve animal role play.
Quirophilia
Quirophilia is a fetish for hands, fingers, or nails.
Robot Fetishism
Turned on by C-3PO or Ex Machina? People with a robot fetish are sometimes called robosexuals or technosexuals.
Spectrophilia
A spectrophilia fetish is finding sexual pleasure in ghosts or images in mirrors.
Underwear Fetish
Bras, panties, men’s briefs, boxers—if these objects turn you on, you may have an underwear fetish. You may enjoy the objects themselves or like to watch someone wear or remove them.
Voyeurism
Voyeurism is a fetish for watching others undress or have sex or listening to sexual acts. Like exhibitionism, voyeurism can be practiced safely and ethically with a consenting partner or partners.
Erectile Dysfunction
Premature Ejaculation
Low Testosterone
Retrograde Ejaculation
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Anorgasmia