Now for some reason, a sense of dread goes through people when they hear ‘foot fetish’ and for others, well… they get excited. I think the sense of dread comes from the fear of the unknown most times, you don’t know what to expect, you don’t know if you will like it, and you don’t know what others – or your partner – may think afterwards.

Most of the time, the sense of disgust or dread is just from pure ignorance. You’re uneducated. That’s ok! Like any fetish, this isn’t going to be for everyone. You might not like it, and that is fine too. However, if you can understand it a bit more, perhaps your judgement of disgust – when you next come across someone with a foot fetish – will be no longer.

What is a Foot Fetish?

BigThink.com states that, “The most common answer to the question of how fetishes are formed is that a fetish is a learned response. For instance, when a neutral item (such as a shoe, for example) is paired with something arousing (a nude photo, for example), the previously neutral item is eventually associated with arousal and sexual excitement, eventually becoming a trigger for arousal.”

Heathline.com explains that, “A foot fetish is a sexual interest in feet. In other words, feet, toes, and ankles turn you on. This particular preference for feet can vary from person to person. Some people are turned on just by looking at feet. Others may find painted nails, jewelry, or other adornments appealing. Still, others get sexual satisfaction in foot treatments, such as massaging or worshiping feet.”

Why are People into Feet ?

Your partner having a foot fetish doesn’t mean they want to submit to a findom and pay her loads of money to worship her feet. I mean it might do, but not everyone’s fantasies are that extreme. Your feet are covered with nerve endings, and nerve endings equal greater, often more intense, sensations.

Some people just want to caress your feet along with the rest of your body, so they’re touching every part of you, making the contact (and whole experience) more sensual and intimate. Tickling, rubbing, and massaging may all feel immensely better on feet.

New York-based psychotherapist Dulcinea Pitagora a.k.a ‘The Kink Doctor’ says to Vice,

“The homunculus shows the parts of the body with the most sensory receptors, feet being one of those body parts with a massive amount of sensory receptors. Feet just so happen to be mapped very close to genitalia on the brain, so it also makes sense that there would be relatively frequent associations.” Foot fetishes could possibly result from cross-wiring in the brain between feet and the genital parts.

Pitagora also believes that foot fetishes aren’t predominantly a male-only fetish. We only presume that because of how heterosexual males are socialized to be the most vocal about their sexuality, in comparison to other minorities, who aren’t as confident in vocalising and acting on their sexual preferences.

Sigmund Freud claimed that people sexualize feet because they resemble penises. But I mean, each to their own.

How Common Are Foot Fetishes? The Stats.

The foot fetish is one of the most common, mainstream fetishes, and a lot more people are actually interested in feet than you think. Due to the bad reaction that usually comes with telling people they like feet (or any kink really) most people don’t reveal their desires, unless they’re comfortable with their partner. According to this study, they found that about half of the people they surveyed had a foot fetish.

Mens Health reached out to Dr. Justin Lehmiller, author of ‘Tell Me What You Want’ and whilst conducting research for his book, Lehmiller surveyed more than 4,000 Americans about their sexual fantasies. Among other things, he asked about fantasies pertaining to feet and toes. His research shows that, 5% are heterosexual women, 18% are heterosexual men, 11% are lesbian and bisexual women and 21% are gay and bisexual men.

Proving a theory that foot fetishes are a predominantly male orientated fetish, however like mentioned previously, women may not feel as comfortable expressing their sexual desires, creating inaccurate research (to an extent).

Sexual Paraphilia

However, sexual paraphilia can be prevalent with foot fetishes, as many other things. Sexual paraphilia is where a person gets a fixated sexual arousal off fantasizing about something that is frowned upon in society/ extreme. The person becomes dependent on that thing for their sole sexual gratification. Psychology Today defines paraphilia more in depth,

“A paraphilia is a condition in which a person’s sexual arousal and gratification depend on fantasizing about, and engaging in sexual behavior that is atypical and extreme. A paraphilia is considered a disorder when it causes distress or threatens to harm someone else. A paraphilia can revolve around a particular object (children, animals, underwear) or a particular behavior (inflicting pain, exposing oneself) but is distinguished by a preoccupation with the object or behavior to the point of being dependent on that object or behavior for sexual gratification. Most paraphilias are far more common in men than in women. The focus of a paraphilia is usually very specific and unchanging.”

What Pleasure do People Get From Foot Fetishes?

Fetishes—about feet or something else—are a “multi-sensory experience,” Lehmiller says: “Different people might find very different things arousing about their fetish object.”

Humiliation and Domination Aspect: The feet are at the bottom of your body and often when you worship someone, you bow to their feet. The same concept applies for people into feet and domination. They’re submitting to the person whose feet they’re worshiping, making a power exchange. Some people enjoy power play and feeling below others, and feet are just another part of their power play with their dominant other.

If your partner has expressed fondness for feet, and you want to help them with their fantasy, you can start by rubbing their genitals with your feet, (over their clothing perhaps) and build up from there. Your partner might want to massage your feet, which if you’re not ticklish, can be great. Your partner may also want to kiss your feet or suck your toes during intercourse, if you’re ok with this, then suggest it. Or even a foot job! Just figure out what you both like.

If you’ve expressed your feet desires and your partner doesn’t share the same interest in feet as you do, they may have other curiosities they’d like to explore. Being honest about your fetishes and desires can put into motion a virtuous cycle that lets you both find fun, new activities you both enjoy. So don’t be afraid, and talk to your partner!

To read about other fetishes like Ropeplay & Bondage or BDSM click here