Sexual Object Versus Fetish Object

Sexual objectification is when a person is seen as merely an object of sexual desire. Their attitudes, thoughts, beliefs, and sometimes even their feelings are voided from this interpretation. For the voyeur, the sexual object is an instrument of fantasy, of lust. Visual cues are often the catalyst for sexual objectification.

Such an intense and impassioned gaze happens on a regular basis, almost effortlessly, and is often perceived as an abominable, immoral, and sexist disease that demeans, degrades, and abuses women (mostly). But, as we continue to explore relationships between fetishism and sexual objectification, we will find that the practice of a lustful gaze is natural and necessary for any sexual encounter.

Sexual fetishes have the same resounding qualities as sexual objectification. Fetishism is the often sexualized practice and relationship between a fetishist and his/her fetish object. The fetish object describes that which is fetishized by the voyeur. A role, an act, an incident, a routine, a body part, material, places, people, taboo or controversial concepts are just some commonly known fetish-objects. I talk more about this subject in my video podcast.

Fetishism is sexual objectification on a religious level. The object is still objectified, but holds greater value to the fetishist, so much so that s/he is at the mercy of that fetish-object. A sexual object may act as an instrument of lust, but a fetish object is omnipotent and inevitable. The sexual encounter is not immediate, but rather a satisfying and enduring session of worship and sensual play.

Why do I bring these two seemingly dissimilar concepts together? Because they are not so dissimilar! As mentioned, anything and anyone can be a fetish-object. For those of you who have entered a relationship with a fetishist, you might find yourself in a predicament where