A fetish is defined as the sexual nonliving or non-genital object of interest for someone, in some cases such fetishes are harmless preferences, however in other cases, it involves the psychological health of people. Many philosophies define the need for humans to pursue pleasure and the many forms that pleasure can take. While in this pursuit the effect of society and its advancements begin to mold what is considered pleasure. Now this correction of the “list of pleasures” is subjective considering the 600 billion people on this planet, each defines happiness differently. Of course, a fetish derives from a unique arousal that results in pleasure and some of the most common fetishes include group sex, urolagnia (arousal from urine), foot worshipping, spanking, and sexual role play. There are hundreds more, and quite honestly anything can become a fetish now that kinks and strange preferences are in the mix creating a gray area of definition. But in order for a kink to become a fetish, a type of obsession must be established. Although this type of extreme is necessary, it is extreme for a reason. Obsessions come in varying degrees of severity, however, the most extreme cases end up affecting many people. In terms of fetishization, the growing obsession with some fetishes has affected the demographics that are the inspiration or source of the object of interests.

Now the extremes of fetishism can only be diagnosed from the action upon the urges, however, the generalization of fetishes has become rampant. Through the production and spread of certain kinks, the public has become more aware of internal desires. This may be positive because society has never looked down at self-reflection. However, there comes a time when self-progression has come too far.

While delving deeper within self-reflection, humans seem to have removed the barriers between the Ego and Id causing a darker primitive desire to mix with the rational portion of the mind. This clash has caused the fetishization of things such as “yellow fever," “school girl role play," and many other concepts. When looking at the title of such fetishes it is easy to apply common sense and state that the generalization of such extremes is not possible. But the extreme has mixed with the “normal” causing people to sexualize people to uncomfortable degrees.

Already the entire fetish around “yellow fever” degrades the entire Asian population to fit this over-sexualized image that began with racial stereotypes but then spread through the access to pornographic material. The fetish has caused many women to encounter the demeaning look that wipes away any human quality as if a well-rounded personality of likes and dislikes pales in comparison to the involuntary genetic makeup of a being.

Crossing the boundaries of personal preferences, a predator sense takes over a person, which then turns others, in this case, Asians, into prey. It’s not just the sense of fear of perception that is a consequential danger of fetishes, but the deprecating thought that grows within someone’s mind that in order to attract another they must fit a stereotype. In fact, if one looks back at the definition of a fetish it is meant for the focus on an object of interest, the fact that an entire demographic of people have become mere objects speaks volumes for the effect fetishes have within society. The growth of this nature not only creates a superficial relationship among people but promotes a highly racist mindset that further strains understanding among different cultures.

The growth of fetishes and their societal understanding stems from a childhood curiosity or association of pleasure. At this time, it’s important to remember the impressionable quality of children’s minds, which brings one to question what causes such a curiosity? For a person to remember a particular object of interest from childhood to adulthood where it is now associated with sexual arousal, a gradual growth and shift of the mind. What was once a fleeting thought of interest, required time and sexual association to fully grow into a fetish. But the generalization of fetishes now feeds off of psychological manipulation.

Putting aside sexual communities that build foundations upon mutual consent and respect of strict rules, some fetishes prey upon the vulnerabilities of people. Much like the derogatory “yellow fever” other fetishes have grown from the a predatory practice, such as the infamous “daddy issues” fetish. There are many definitions for this particular interest, but it stems from a woman’s need to please the male counterpart in a relationship due to the emotional effect of a strained relationship with her father. The familial issue results in the woman placing herself in a submissive role with her partner, but the issue at hand is the lack of conscience that has developed in society.

Creating an entire fetish that preys on the psyche of women has also become another opportunity to degrade women into mere sexual objects. Not only is a woman with “daddy issues” highly coveted, due to her increased willingness to “put out” but then the same woman is humiliated for the same qualities she was pursued for. No one is questioning the truth behind the fetish whatsoever but have accepted that women with “daddy issues” are more prone to easily provide sex, or, in other words, are sluts. The act of using one’s vulnerabilities and then mocking those vulnerabilities are exactly what traumatize people and further deepens the vulnerability. More than that, most strained relationships between fathers and daughters, or any family member for that matter, usually result in anger. Unless a child was raised in an abusive home causing psychological damages that go beyond the stage of fetishes, then there is no proper cause for a fetish. To go as far as creating a fetish around the strained emotional connection between two people degrades all parties involved. But most emotional strains among family members result in adults harboring an intrinsic anger. An acidic feeling that lays beneath the surface, which can damage any relationship when provoked. What about such an emotional state is sexy? Somewhere along the lines of history society has morphed concepts that are steeped in racist and sexist tendencies into modern fetishes that degrade humans into objects and cause more psychological damage than the origin of the fetish.

The rapidly changing nature of accepted fetishes is crossing the boundary of self-sexual acceptance and encroaching on the comforts of other human beings. It is vital to understand the root of a fetish and separate obsessions. When an obsession is based on the understanding that a quality of a human being is an object it raises an alarm, especially if the quality is what embodies a large portion of a human’s personality. Kinks, preferences, and fetishes are combining together to create one gray area, however that also mixes together the dangers and consequences of such things. Psychoanalyzing such qualities may seem mundane, but understanding the root cause can help alleviate the issue. Clearing up the gray area is vital for the continuance of healthy relationships, there’s no need for humans to cater to Freud’s statements about the primal thinking of people. Progression of human beings caters not only to physical betterment, but the improvement of mental health as well. Defining the line between a sexual preference and the obsessive quality of a fetish is vital for the advancement of the human mind’s health.