People don’t usually take a scientific approach to sex. They know what they like and what turns them on, and they enjoy it without analyzing it. But others are inherently curious about their fetishes and what drives their sexual desires. If this describes you, keep reading!
In this article, we’ll explore the science behind foot fetishes and gain a better understanding of what drives people’s natural desire to play with, worship, and photograph feet.
What is a Foot Fetish?
Foot fetishes – also referred to as podophilia – describes a sexual attraction to feet and other foot-related items, including socks, shoes, and accessories. Most people with a foot fetish focus mainly on the toes, ankles, soles, and balls of the foot, but some fetishes extend up the leg to include the calves and beyond. Seeing and touching feet and foot related items is sexually arousing for foot fetishists. Any while this may sound a bit taboo, foot fetishes are actually the most common of all body part fetishes, with 1 in 7 people admitting they have a fascination with feet.
But not all foot fetishists want to touch, rub, kiss, or lick someone else’s foot. Role playing is very common in the foot fetish community and may involve humiliation play or domination. Some foot fetishists enjoy pushing their partner around using their feet, demanding their feet be pampered, or engaging in foot bondage. With so many forms of foot play, the only limit is your naughty imagination and your partner’s comfort level. Foot fetish parties are another great place to meet other foot lovers and indulge your fantasies.
The Science Behind Foot Fetishes: Possible Causes
Whether you, your partner, or someone you know has a foot fetish, you may be wondering, “Why?”. At first glance, feet, in general, aren’t the most attractive body part. Not with so many beautiful breasts, round luscious booties, and gorgeous faces to admire. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all, and millions of people find feet beautiful.
But the science behind foot fetishes extends far beyond just finding feet attractive to look at. A person’s foot fetish could be deeply rooted in their biology or be linked to a memorable sexual encounter. Let’s see what science has to say.
Biological Causes
If you get sexually aroused when you see perfectly manicured toes, gorgeous high arches, or a pair of spiky high heels, biology may be to blame. Neuroscientist Vilayanur Ramachandran proposed a theory that the part of the brain responsible for processing sensations in the feet is connected to the area that processes genital stimulation. That means that when your feet are touched, tickled, or rubbed, (or you’re the one doing the touching) it sends a similar signal to your genitals, triggering sexual arousal and gratification. This theory works both ways, which means that when a person’s genitals are stimulated, they may feel similar sensations in their feet. For some people, just viewing erotic foot pics is enough to get their motors running and create a sexually satisfying experience.
But the biology behind foot fetishes doesn’t end there. A sexual attraction to feet originates in the part of the brain known as the somatosensory nervous system. This system is responsible for perceiving pain and touch. If you close your eyes and someone tickles your right foot, you can identify that sensation and name which body part is being touched. This recognition is thanks to the somatosensory nervous system. The foot is also covered in more nerve endings than any other part of the body, which means every touch, tickle, rub, or lick is felt deeply throughout your body.
Psychological Causes
The science behind foot fetishes isn’t reserved just for the lab. You may discover the cause of your foot fascination on your therapist’s couch. That is, if your therapist was Freud. Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis, was often criticized for his theories and findings which place heavy emphasis on sexuality. Freud made some pretty controversial claims throughout his career, including his theory about foot fetishes.
According to Freud, foot fetishes develop because the human foot resembles a penis. He claimed that some people were naturally and subconsciously attracted to feet because of their resemblance to the male genitalia. Freud also believed that fetishes and sexual attraction develop early on in childhood. The neurologist went as far as to say that when a child sees their mother’s genitals for the first time, they may be surprised by the absence of a penis. This surprise then develops into fascination and ultimately into an obsession or attraction to any body parts that resemble a penis – feet included.
Freud wasn’t the only one to adopt this theory, though. Other scientists and theorists believe that children fixate on certain objects that make them feel comforted and bring them pleasure. In adulthood, this becomes a sexual fixation. These same objects are subconsciously viewed as “good” and “pleasurable.” A similar theory is that as people regress into their past, they are drawn to objects that remind them of their childhood and bring back positive feelings and sensations. So, remember that favorite pair of Mary Janes or that sock monkey you loved as a kid? Don’t be surprised if those fond childhood memories morph into a kinky foot fetish in adulthood.
Positive Reinforcement
As humans, we respond well to positive reinforcement. In short, positive reinforcement involves rewarding positive behavior to encourage it happening again in the future – if you want Y, you need to do X. When applied to the science of foot fetishes, the theory is that if your first sexual encounter or a particularly enjoyable episode involved feet or foot-related items, you may be trying to replicate this experience.
For example, if you lost your virginity after giving your partner an erotic foot massage or your significant other got you off using their feet, you may want feet involved in all of your sexual encounters in the future. If this is the case, your brain subconsciously associates awesome orgasms with feet. We suggest you don’t fight it and just go with it!
Behavioral Factors
The science behind foot fetishes could be as simple as learned behavior. When someone learns to be sexually aroused by a certain medium – whether it’s pornography, an object, or a specific body part – it triggers the same reward system associated with positive reinforcement. If you’ve ever received monetary rewards for selling feet pics or achieved increased intimacy with your partner through foot play, you could unknowingly have created a behavioral attachment. From this point forward, you may become dependent on these external factors to achieve sexual pleasure or arousal.
Culture and Societal Norms
The community and culture you were raised in can significantly impact your likelihood of developing a foot fetish. Some cultures and societies view feet as a beautiful, erotic body part that deserves praise and recognition.
For example, in Asian culture, the female foot is considered beautiful but only when it is petite in size. This is one reason why foot binding is so prominent in China. This practice was considered a rite of passage for young girls in preparation of puberty, their menstrual cycle, and childbirth. It also symbolized a young girl’s willingness to obey. Footbinding restricted a female’s mobility, stripping many women of their power and reinforcing the belief that they are subordinate to men.
If you were raised in a sex-positive culture or community, you may also be more vocal about your sexual preferences and open-minded about exploring new things – including feet. Fetishes are considered a fun and healthy practice in some societies, while shun in others. Take an objective look at your upbringing and see – would your foot fetish be celebrated and encouraged or shot down? This may give you useful insight into the science behind your own foot fetish and sexuality.
Domination and Control
Domination, submission, and roleplaying are all common within the kink and fetish communities. And foot fetishes are no different. Have you ever heard the phrase, “Worship the ground you walk on”? Or watched a movie where a peasant was groveling at someone’s feet? All of these scenarios involve humiliation and domination. And while some people might be turned off by this, plenty of people seek it out and willingly engage in BDSM relationships.
Many foot fetish scenarios are deeply rooted in power and control. The dominant in this scenario may order the submissive to rub or massage their feet, lick or suck their toes, paint their toenails, or even act as a footstool. The submissive is more than happy to oblige and enjoys being dominated. People that crave this power dynamic may be more likely to develop a foot fetish.
Foot Fetishes Explained: Embrace Your Kink!
There you have it! Now you know the science behind foot fetishes and have more insight into what drives your desire for feet. Are you ready to capitalize on your foot fetish and meet other like-minded foot lovers? Don’t wait! Click here to start selling and exploring today.
