Fetishism is an erotic attraction to nonliving objects, actions, or situations that are culturally deemed "nonsexual." It's usually associated with transgression or taboo and can be related to childhood memories of trauma. In this article, we will explore how fetishism turns traumatic memory into controlled repetition through the lens of Freudian psychoanalysis and Lacanian theory. We will analyze the role of desire in transforming past experiences into desirable objects and scenarios that provide pleasure but also safety from unconscious fears.
Freud argued that all neuroses were caused by repressed infantile sexual fantasies and that fetishistic behavior was one manifestation of this process. He believed that early sexual experiences shape the unconscious mind and create psychic structures that organize later thoughts and behaviors.
If a boy sees his mother putting on stockings as a child, he may become aroused and associate her legs with pleasure. This association becomes so powerful that he needs to see women wearing stockings to feel sexually aroused. The fetish object represents the original source of pleasure but also provides a way for him to avoid facing his underlying anxiety about his mother's sexuality.
Lacan took Freud's idea further by suggesting that fetishism involves a shift from the realm of fantasy to the symbolic order. According to him, fetishists seek to control their fears by creating rigid rules around desired objects/scenarios. They fixate on specific features (stockings) rather than the whole body because they are unable to handle more complex or ambiguous stimuli. By reducing the world to manageable symbols, they can maintain a sense of mastery over their surroundings. Fetishism becomes a way to "control" trauma instead of confronting it directly.
So how does this work? When someone is traumatized, they experience a loss of agency - they feel powerless and vulnerable. By turning to fetishism, they recreate a sense of control through ritualistic actions that involve a familiar object or scenario. The fetish object becomes a kind of container for their fears, allowing them to transform trauma into something that feels pleasurable and safe. It creates an illusion of stability while masking deeper insecurities and anxieties.
Fetishism can provide temporary relief from painful emotions, but it's ultimately unhealthy as it reinforces patterns of avoidance and denial. It distracts us from our true desires and prevents us from dealing with difficult feelings in a productive way. It also puts up barriers between ourselves and others, making intimacy impossible. If you find yourself struggling with fetishism, consider seeking professional help to explore your underlying fears and address them directly.
How does fetishism eroticize fear, turning traumatic memory into controlled repetition?
Fetishism is a sexual attraction towards nonliving objects or body parts that are unrelated to human genitalia. Fear can be aroused from various sources, but when it comes to fetishes, it may stem from childhood memories of abuse or humiliation. The act of repetition in fetishistic behavior allows individuals to control their fear through rituals and routines.