The Martlet

We tend to think of a foot fetishist simply as someone who sees feet and thinks, “Damn, look at those feet. They are fine!” But a marked sexual interest in feet, or podophilia, falls under the broader category of “paraphilias.” In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, paraphilias are defined as sexual arousal to objects, situations, or individuals that are not part of normative stimulation. This arousal, according to the manual, may even cause distress or serious problems for the fetishist. So where does the fetish come from?

Freud thought that people have foot fetishes partly because of a castration complex (when a child’s sexual activities are halted by his father, who he fears will castrate him, because the young child is thought to be in love with his mother), or because they were exposed to feet while they were sexually aroused. A more modern theory suggests that the feet and genitals are roommates in the touchy/feely part of your brain. They could exchange messages, or be cross-wired due to a brain abnormality.

However, podophilia cannot be dismissed to the realm of a few individuals masturbating to Aldo ads. More than 70 million people worldwide — including Dita Von Teese, Quentin Tarantino and Tommy Lee — adore feet, making it the world’s most common sexual fetish.

Feet are arousing to the fetishist for an assortment of reasons. The salty taste may be pleasant, or the scent might set the mood for a sensual evening. Others appreciate their appearance: painted toenails, an anklet or even what shoes the person is wearing. Others like feet just because doing so is taboo and naughty. But why are feet so naughty?

People are willing to express their interest in their lovers’ throats, lips or derrières. What they may not realize is that attraction to many of these body parts is also, clinically speaking, a fetish. Attraction to butts is called pygophilia, and attraction to breasts is known as mammaphilia. Yet these fetishes don’t carry as much stigma. Can you imagine approaching a heterosexual man and saying, “Oh, you poor lamb; I fear you may suffer from mammaphilia”?

There should be no judgment of what body part arouses a person. A foot fetishist sees feet as one way to be open and vulnerable with their partner — a way to show trust and to gain trust. Being with someone who wants all of you — your lips, your hands, your feet — is confidence-inspiring and rewarding, and can strengthen a relationship. Even if you’re not in a relationship, everyone likes a good foot rub . . . and sometimes more.