"Born with a tickling fetish" I think is bogus

[LD_Tickler]

Look into Sigmund Freud, and his essays on sexuality.

I've actually read quite a bit of Freud. Are you referring to anything specifically?

 

[Deusxlionxx]

Your chemicals know to reproduce themselves, and so we're born with a sex drive - the potential to be aroused by things. My issue is with the assumption that we're born with a particular sex drive with its own shape and colour (kinks, preferences, etc). I think those are details, experiential in nature, which could never be stored in genetics.

Can it really be argued that anything situational could be stored in genetics?

I mean, look at the debate regarding the nature of homosexuality - There are those that argue that they were inherently "born" with it, and there are those that regard it as a choice. Personally, I don't know enough about the issue to either care, nor really need to.

Point is, if somebody believes that they were "born" with a tendency towards tickling, feet, whatever, Id like to think that it may more or less be true if there is an absence of any other evidence to the matter.

 

[Deusxlionxx]

I've actually read quite a bit of Freud. Are you referring to anything specifically?

Just in general, I only know the basics (Currently taking a psych class.)

From what I gather a lot of what Freud had to offer was based around the human child naturally being fascinated with sex. It wasnt supposed to be anything specific, I just thought it was interesting... ><

 

[Deleted member 66627]

No part of your body is aware of tickling before it happens to you. There is no "tickle fetish" gene.

No, but there might be a similar grouping of chemicals that correlate once tied together.

 

[Mister Scruff]

From what I gather a lot of what Freud had to offer was based around the human child naturally being fascinated with sex. It wasnt supposed to be anything specific, I just thought it was interesting... ><

Everything Freud had to offer was based on sex. He seemed to start with the idea that sex was the most powerful motivator to the human mind and then sort of connected everything else to it however he could. His theories are a lot easier to penetrate (LOL FREUDIAN SLIP LOLOLOL) than the likes of Jung, with all that "shadow self, man is woman and woman man" shit, but they're still just theories. From almost 100 years ago. That were forumlated around the observation of adults.

I also think it's a bit fatuous to try and use psychological theories to try and prove biological phenomena; just because Freud can't account for everything, doesn't necessarily mean he's missed something in the hard-wiring. Just means he's missed SOMETHING. If there is a biological aspect to fetishism then surely the best place to look for it is in studies of the human organism, rather than the human psyche?

Point is, if somebody believes that they were "born" with a tendency towards tickling, feet, whatever, Id like to think that it may more or less be true if there is an absence of any other evidence to the matter.

Which is fine; nobody's claiming to know 100% either way, because there's no such thing as an absolute. Especially not in discussions like this where neither side has any original observation to support their claims. If people want to believe there's a tickling gene, or that they've been the way they are since birth, that's fine. I choose not to, because it seems a bit far-fetched to me when so many other psychological aberrations are purely the result of formative experiences, but like I said; there are no absolutes.

 

[BellaRisa]

I've always had real difficulty believing that anyone was born with a tickling fetish. Especially since most people I've seen make that claim tend to use the argument "I can't remember not liking it, so I must have been born with it."

Right. OR, you had experiences with tickling at a very young age - to which you subconsciously assigned "meaning X" (power, loss of control, whatever), then once puberty came, "meaning X" became eroticized for whatever reason, and tickling along with it.

For example, I find sadism and objectification erotic, and my most vivid experiences with tickling allowed me to associate it with objectification and cruelty. So when my sadistic sexuality developed, tickling was a big feature. Was I born finding sadism erotic? Why on earth would I believe that, since it's abundantly clear how that kind of thing can develop through experience?

Which experiences we find enjoyable in whatever form seem to be far better explained through our development. Positive and negative associations. Experiences interpreted in particular ways. The fact that we can't remember every milestone, and aren't aware of every change in our psyche, isn't proof that there's such a thing as being "hardwired" deviant.

Thoughts?

I hear what you're saying, and you could be right. Still, I find it odd that so many people, exposed to the same situations and circumstances, will experience them completely differently. How many people with this kink had a sibling sitting right next to them when Bluto tickled Olive Oyl, and the sibling didn't even notice? How many people were tormented with tickling as children yet grew up to love it while others HATE it for that very reason? Heck, I've cared for identical twin infants with one loving veggie baby food and the other spitting it out every time, and I highly doubt one of them was frightened by a green bean at the age of 3 months 🙄 No, I have a hard time believing that every person with a kink or passion had something happen at an early age that caused it; though certainly our early experiences shape those kinks to an extent, I'm pretty sure some of us are born/predisposed towards our eventual kink while others aren't. The fact that our proclivities 'can' be created later, from a love of chocolate to a passion for spanking, doesn't mean that they always are.

 

[rhiannon]

No, but there might be a similar grouping of chemicals that correlate once tied together.

This is exactly what I meant!

hear what you're saying, and you could be right. Still, I find it odd that so many people, exposed to the same situations and circumstances, will experience them completely differently. How many people with this kink had a sibling sitting right next to them when Bluto tickled Olive Oyl, and the sibling didn't even notice? How many people were tormented with tickling as children yet grew up to love it while others HATE it for that very reason? Heck, I've cared for identical twin infants with one loving veggie baby food and the other spitting it out every time, and I highly doubt one of them was frightened by a green bean at the age of 3 months No, I have a hard time believing that every person with a kink or passion had something happen at an early age that caused it; though certainly our early experiences shape those kinks to an extent, I'm pretty sure some of us are born/predisposed towards our eventual kink while others aren't. The fact that our proclivities 'can' be created later, from a love of chocolate to a passion for spanking, doesn't mean that they always are.

And this - couldn't have said it better!

 

[Mister Scruff]

I have a hard time believing that every person with a kink or passion had something happen at an early age that caused it; though certainly our early experiences shape those kinks to an extent, I'm pretty sure some of us are born/predisposed towards our eventual kink while others aren't. The fact that our proclivities 'can' be created later, from a love of chocolate to a passion for spanking, doesn't mean that they always are.

This, I find far more plausible than the "tickle fetish gene" thing.

 

[rhiannon]

This, I find far more plausible than the "tickle fetish gene" thing.

Hey, scientists claim there is something like the "Hitler gene", so why wouldn't there be a "tickle gene"? 😉

 

[Rook's Media]

Here's my limited response, due to time constraints...

#1. Fetishism has been linked to neurological wiring...we're born with a certain blueprint for neurological wiring... and, it's uncontrollable, meaning that we simply can't decide which synapse fires when, etc. This is what makes each individual different...as a functioning human being...

#2. Many fetishes are, of course, learned behaviors as well...

These topics will be debated for years and years...and, we may never know a specific answer as to why we are fetishists.

-In my opinion, as long as we grow into responsible adults, and learn to embrace our particular realm of fetishism in a respectful fashion, we need to spend more time accepting our fetishes as a part of who we are, and less time wondering why we have them.-



Hope ya'll have a great weekend...

Ryan

 

[texastickler]

You go girl!

Saying "hardwired" is a lot easier then explaining how elements were implemented during my child-hood. So, I will continue to state "born with it" or "hard-wired" it saves time and creep-o's who enjoy wanking to explanations of a TK fetish growing within a pre-pubescent girl.

 

[texastickler]

Well said Ryan. I generally give no thought to this either. I am who I am. I will be myself and love every minute of it.

Here's my limited response, due to time constraints...

#1. Fetishism has been linked to neurological wiring...we're born with a certain blueprint for neurological wiring... and, it's uncontrollable, meaning that we simply can't decide which synapse fires when, etc. This is what makes each individual different...as a functioning human being...

#2. Many fetishes are, of course, learned behaviors as well...

These topics will be debated for years and years...and, we may never know a specific answer as to why we are fetishists.

-In my opinion, as long as we grow into responsible adults, and learn to embrace our particular realm of fetishism in a respectful fashion, we need to spend more time accepting our fetishes as a part of who we are, and less time wondering why we have them.-



Hope ya'll have a great weekend...

Ryan

 

[Mister Scruff]

Saying "hardwired" is a lot easier then explaining how elements were implemented during my child-hood. So, I will continue to state "born with it" or "hard-wired" it saves time and creep-o's who enjoy wanking to explanations of a TK fetish growing within a pre-pubescent girl.

Yeah. It's nothing to do with the human desire to better understand oneself. It's all about blowing your load thinking about a prepubescent girl, or boy, becoming a tickle fetishist.

 

[milagros317]

If I wasn't born with it then it developed at such a young age that it's impossible to remember how. So I may as well presume it's hard wired as Ryan described. 😀

 

[LD_Tickler]

Which is fine; nobody's claiming to know 100% either way, because there's no such thing as an absolute. Especially not in discussions like this where neither side has any original observation to support their claims. If people want to believe there's a tickling gene, or that they've been the way they are since birth, that's fine. I choose not to, because it seems a bit far-fetched to me when so many other psychological aberrations are purely the result of formative experiences, but like I said; there are no absolutes.

If I thought an absolute answer existed, I'd go look it up instead of starting a discussion on the internet. 😉

 

[Oddjob0226]

Right. OR, you had experiences with tickling at a very young age - to which you subconsciously assigned "meaning X" (power, loss of control, whatever), then once puberty came, "meaning X" became eroticized for whatever reason, and tickling along with it.

But that part of the brain, the subconscious assignment part, is born withinsome of us. Sometimes it becomes activated (fetishist is created) sometimes it is not activated (reasoned and sobor normalcy). The current theory on fetishes is that something activates a 'seed' that is within the person. Not everone has it, and not all of them get activated.

 

[Deleted member 66627]

Yeah. It's nothing to do with the human desire to better understand oneself. It's all about blowing your load thinking about a prepubescent girl, or boy, becoming a tickle fetishist.

Shame that many folks out there simply could care less about better understanding oneself and that's all they want to do is wank it to that information. I was speaking to why I say what I say here in forum. I'm not going to delve into a diatribe about the triggers and/or emotional/physical causes that granted a response that could justify why it is that I have what I have now. Being "born with a tickling fetish" does sound silly, but like I offered, there might be chemical effects there that would help pre-dispose one to the fetish itself even inuteros.

 

[-Hari-]

I used to hate bananas. With a passion. The smell alone was enough to make me baulk. Now I eat at least 2 a day because I think they're yummy.

yup, same with me and weetabix, just goes to show that some things grow on us. I dont think tickling is always one of those things tho, same as cheese, bananas and weetabix, certainly can be tho.

 

[AmandaBear]

Well, I actually have good indicators that I was born with this fetish. I was NEVER tickled as a child and the only way I was exposed to tickling was through cartoons and books. And it became fully eroticized for me when I had my first sexual awakening this year upon discovering I'm a lesbian. Before that, tickling was just a mere fascination...a desire of some sort, I guess. Like Ryan said, I truly think certain humans are hardwired for certain fetishes. And I believe I'm one of those people.

 

[-Hari-]

I disagree. I loved Marmite when I was a kid, and then had a really bad experience with it (I bit into a cheese and "Marmite" sandwich, which was actually cheese and Branston Pickle). The shock of this turned me of marmite for years, until I eventually got over myself.

But here's the rub; nobody is born with a predisposition towards marmite. You can teach yourself to like or dislike different types of food, especially at a young age.

I appreciate the Marmite analogy doesn't transfer to tickling so well, but I do think there is a lot more to it than genes.
Plus, I have a stupidly good memory for things I did/dreamed as a very small child (my first vivid memory that I can still remember was when I was 6 months old), and I do remember a time when it (tickling) didn't give me a weird feeling in the pit of my belly. Course, that changed by the age of 3 or 4.

you disagree with what exactly? Because im not saying everthing is predetermined, but you can have initial likes and dislikes to things.

Im just saying that being born with the fetish isnt bogus in all cases, I seriously dont think any part of my upbringing changed my view on tickling, you could give 10 kids the same set of events and they wouldnt all have a fetish, Im saying some people develope it, sure they do, but its certainly not impossible that its there to start with, same with cheese 😛 there will be people who hated from the start, hate now and will always hate cheese because theyre taste buds say so.

I truely think you could have given me to any set of parents, brought me up anywhere in the world, and as long as tickligng happened once down the line somewhere so i knew it existed, I would have ended up with this fetish.

 

[Radiohead 7140]

Everyone is born with theyre own individual preferences, at a young age many of those dont come to light.

Some people hate cheese, some people adore it, and your born with that like/dislike, Tickling is also something that a person either enjoys or doesnt enjoy, like cheese, some people end up finding sexual gratification from eating cheese off people, and some people from tickling eachother, I dont think this is something that develops from other past experiences at a younger age etc, I think that sometimes it really is just the way a person is going to turn out.

Tickling didnt happen any extra amount to me when I was younger, no more than anyone else, but from as far back as I can remember, I felt uncomfortable being tickled, there was something thing about it that I couldnt quite put my finger on and that scared me.

Then I slowly began to realize is was because I liked it, and that realization became stronger and stronger as I investigated it further.

It was there from the start.

I just think its in the genes somewhere for some people, theres a little gene that says "tickling turns you on" and once your old enuf to understand that, you know you have a fetish.

Don't really agree with the analogies. Odds are, regardless of your genes, if you grew up in a household where chinese food was frequently served, you would like it. On the flipside, people in certain parts of the country who have no exposure to it rarely like it. I have a hard time believing none of them would like it if raised in new york, where i think it's a requirement to like chinese food.

anyway, chinese food is also....oh, wait, right, tickling. it doesn't make much sense to me from an evolutionary standpoint (to which i attribute almost everything) to be born with a "tickling" gene. because it in no way contributes to procreation. enjoying breasts do - breasts nourish babies. enjoying vaginas do - vaginas, well, they do many great things. tickling, no, so it doesn't make sense to me that you could be born with it.

to rebut myself, the same argument could be made for homosexuality, which i DO believe a person is born with, but is counterintuitive to the instinct to procreate.

i take it all back, i have no idea. but if you don't like chinese food, i think there's a problem.

 

[Radiohead 7140]

oh, you were talking about cheese, not chinese. ummm

 

[TickleSwitch24]

born with it?

I wouldn't say I was born with it. Logically, it must be a somewhat learned behavior. I will intellectualize it this way:

Is there a gene in human DNA that can be manipulated to allow some to have or not have a tickling fetish?

I do not have a degree in Genetics, so I am not qualified to answer that question. Anyone who is, please respond. My opinion is that there is not, but that could be changed with better information.

I know from personal experience that my interest in tickling started at a very young age. I cannot pinpoint the age but I know that I was crawling and in diapers. Was it sexual? No it was not. That part was learned, but the interest in tickling was not something "learned," but did develop on it's own, and at a very young age. It would be impossible to know if there was an interest before that since I cannot remember, and there was no way to communicate it, but it is possible.

 

[solescratcher99]

I had a foot 'fetish' before I LEARNED how to have a tickling fetish.

For a lot of people its 'conditioning' or learning. However, we still have an inborn, natural drive towards sexuality, and its only when we learn how to direct that natural drive that we start to define ourselves by what we're turned on about.

That's my two cents for the night.

 

[LD_Tickler]

Well, I actually have good indicators that I was born with this fetish. I was NEVER tickled as a child and the only way I was exposed to tickling was through cartoons and books. And it became fully eroticized for me when I had my first sexual awakening this year upon discovering I'm a lesbian. Before that, tickling was just a mere fascination...a desire of some sort, I guess. Like Ryan said, I truly think certain humans are hardwired for certain fetishes. And I believe I'm one of those people.

You don't think that observing tickling from afar while being utterly deprived of it is a significant psychological event?