Should tickling be classed as a fetish?

[doctortickler]

I have seen in a few posts as tickling being seen as a fetish and would like every ones oppinion on this please?

Before I joined the TMF I was on a fetish sight for a couple of mounths, I joined becuase I like womens feet and wanted to find out more about my likes. However it only took a short while to discover that I didn't really fit in with the site due to the fact that feet and tickling just wasn't hardcore enough for them, thankfully I found this site and withdrew my membership from the fetish site!

So this is what I feel now and this is only my personal oppinion folks! To like feet is a natural like and to be honest I find womens bodies in genral to be very beautiful, but the feet are a favuorite place for me. Tickling is also a very natural thing to do, just because we get turned on by this doesn't nesserserily make it a fetish. To tickle someone is to give them pleasure and in seeing that you are making that person feel nice turnes you on, what is wrong with that, I think tickling should just be tickling, no thrills or spills just a natural thing that we all enjoy here at the TMF! Happy tickling folks!

 

[drew70]

This is just my opinion, so take it with a few grains of salt.

I believe there are many types of fetishes, and not all of them are sexual. I used to have an aunt that would pinch the cheeks of us nephews and neices whenever she could get away with it. I think she had a cheek fetish...that is to say, a mild obsession, but it was not sexual in any way.

Tickling is erotically stimulating for many of the members here. For me, tickling is erotically stimulating in certain circumstances, but in other circumstances it's just something that's fascinating, cool and awesome.

Whenever anybody hears fetish, especially around here, they automatically think sexual kink. Many here refuse to even entertain the notion that an interest in tickling can be anything but sexual in nature. Such people look at those of us who don't always acknowledge the sexual aspects of tickling as being in denial. And I'm perfectly content for them to go right on thinking that.

Because the bottom line is...whatever reason you are here is your own business and nobody else's. That's not to say that one can't or shouldn't share personal feelings if one is so compelled. I'm just saying it isn't a requirement. Nobody owes any explanation or justification.

So yes, I'd say any obsession with tickling could be called a fetish. Is it necessarily a sexual fetish? No, but around here that's what's most popular.

 

[subZer0]

A fetish can be defined as, but not limited to, (noun) 'excessive or irrational devotion to some activity'. If you believe the tickling activity is not excessive, for whatever reasons, then a fetish can be assumed as not being mainstream.

 

[chicago]

If you get aroused from feet, you have a foot fetish. If you get aroused from tickling, you have a tickle fetish. Technically, though, tickling can't be classified as a fetish because the word "fetish" only applies to objects or specific body parts, not actions. However, I can't think of what else to describe being aroused by tickling, so whatevs.

 

[KittenToes]

terminology...

If you get aroused from feet, you have a foot fetish. If you get aroused from tickling, you have a tickle fetish. Technically, though, tickling can't be classified as a fetish because the word "fetish" only applies to objects or specific body parts, not actions. However, I can't think of what else to describe being aroused by tickling, so whatevs.

If it isn't an specific body part or object, it's a "philia" meaning love of. Fetish is just used as a catch-all term to describe arousal by something that is not "normal" or normally involved in the sex act. As in:

Necrophilia- no need to describe THAT one.

Klismophilia = love of/sexual association with enemas

Algamatophilia= love of/sexual association with statues.

Harpaxophilia- sexual arousal from being robbed/burglarized.

Compared the the above, I'd say we are pretty normal.

Tickling fetish is referred to as knismolagnia.
http://www.sex-lexis.com/Sex-Dictionary/knismolagnia

I'm not sure why it's a lagnia instead of a philia- lust instead of love. I'm not a linguist by profession.

So yes, arousal from being tickled/tickling and/or an obsession with tickling would be classified as a fetish in layman's terms. I wouldn't worry too much about its classification, though. You enjoy it, it's harmless enough, and as you can see from my examples above, it's comparatively quite "normal". So have fun.

 

[drew70]

If it isn't an specific body part or object, it's a "philia" meaning love of. Fetish is just used as a catch-all term to describe arousal by something that is not "normal" or normally involved in the sex act. As in:

Necrophilia- no need to describe THAT one.

Klismophilia = love of/sexual association with enemas

Algamatophilia= love of/sexual association with statues.

Harpaxophilia- sexual arousal from being robbed/burglarized.

Compared the the above, I'd say we are pretty normal.

Tickling fetish is referred to as knismolagnia.
http://www.sex-lexis.com/Sex-Dictionary/knismolagnia

I'm not sure why it's a lagnia instead of a philia- lust instead of love. I'm not a linguist by profession.

So yes, arousal from being tickled/tickling and/or an obsession with tickling would be classified as a fetish in layman's terms. I wouldn't worry too much about its classification, though. You enjoy it, it's harmless enough, and as you can see from my examples above, it's comparatively quite "normal". So have fun.

Kudos on the terminology. There's at least one more I know of. I believe the scientific term liftupyershirtsoicanphilia refers to the love of breasts. {ô¿ô}

 

[milagros317]

Why quibble over terminology? This is a site for people who love to tickle, to be tickled, or both. 😀

 

[jj82277]

I have seen in a few posts as tickling being seen as a fetish and would like every ones oppinion on this please?

Before I joined the TMF I was on a fetish sight for a couple of mounths, I joined becuase I like womens feet and wanted to find out more about my likes. However it only took a short while to discover that I didn't really fit in with the site due to the fact that feet and tickling just wasn't hardcore enough for them, thankfully I found this site and withdrew my membership from the fetish site!

So this is what I feel now and this is only my personal oppinion folks! To like feet is a natural like and to be honest I find womens bodies in genral to be very beautiful, but the feet are a favuorite place for me. Tickling is also a very natural thing to do, just because we get turned on by this doesn't nesserserily make it a fetish. To tickle someone is to give them pleasure and in seeing that you are making that person feel nice turnes you on, what is wrong with that, I think tickling should just be tickling, no thrills or spills just a natural thing that we all enjoy here at the TMF! Happy tickling folks!

i am sensing that you have a negative moral connotation for the word fetish... what does that word mean to YOU?

 

[KittenToes]

I thought tickling fetish was Acarophilia? Oh well, also the exact definition of fetish is something that replaces regular "sex" because it is often not used in that term, "fixation" replaced the actual meaning of fetish.

I've seen Acarophilia used as well, but there seems to be some confusion as to whether that term refers to tickling or itching. Knismolagnia is the most popular choice among the medical/psychiatric terms for well, whatever all this is. I know when I was taking an Abnormal Psych/Human Sexuality uni course, when fetishes came up knismolagnia was the term of choice.

 

[Mitchell]

My understanding of the word "fetish" has always been as follows. Supposedly, a true "Fetish" is when someone cannot achieve sexual arousal, erections, sexual excitement, or orgasms, without the object or interest being present.

A true foot fetishist, from the definition I read, could not achieve orgasm or arousal other than at a time they were either playing with a foot, or having their own feet played with. A true tickle "fetishist", could not achieve sexual arousal, unless they themselves were either being tickled, or tickling someone else.

Again, these are only what I have read. We use the word "Fetish" as a very loose term. Many times, I like to describe my enjoyment of tickling and female feet as "Interests".

I'm not sure what the consensus will be, but this is what I've heard.

Mitch

 

[ShadowTklr]

I believe the accurate term that hsould be used to classify tickling would be Paraphilia. A Paraphilia is a fixation on deviant sexual "behavior," as opposed to a fetish which is used to describe the adoration of an inanimate object used for the purpose of sexual gratification or as the catalyst for sexual stimulation.

Therefore, I would have a fetish for ticklish female feet, but my Paraphilia is tickling.

 

[Redmage]

So this is what I feel now and this is only my personal oppinion folks! To like feet is a natural like and to be honest I find womens bodies in genral to be very beautiful, but the feet are a favuorite place for me. Tickling is also a very natural thing to do, just because we get turned on by this doesn't nesserserily make it a fetish. To tickle someone is to give them pleasure and in seeing that you are making that person feel nice turnes you on, what is wrong with that, I think tickling should just be tickling, no thrills or spills just a natural thing that we all enjoy here at the TMF! Happy tickling folks!

You seem to be arguing that tickling is not a fetish because tickling is natural and right - implying by contrast that fetishes are unnatural and wrong. But why should this be so?

Broadly speaking a fetish is simply something that turns you on that doesn't turn most people on. Unusual isn't the same as unnatural.

 

[Alao25]

I don't know,May be you could try it!

 

[cncreteman]

Hmm, then that would classify getting turned on by kissing a kissing fetish then? just dont think its thats general, I am leaning as i get older to thinking that its a like, just like boob guys or behind guys,,, I mean they are hardly ever classified as having a butt fetish?? or a boob fetish,, i mean , why does liking pretty feet have to be in a different catagory then a "boob guy" and so on, dont get me wrong all parts are stimulating to me ,, but if i were to be honest, pretty feet float my boat,,
so, i guess to me it really doesnt matter what you call it because I HAVE IT!! LOL

If you get aroused from feet, you have a foot fetish. If you get aroused from tickling, you have a tickle fetish. Technically, though, tickling can't be classified as a fetish because the word "fetish" only applies to objects or specific body parts, not actions. However, I can't think of what else to describe being aroused by tickling, so whatevs.

 

[xSamanthax]

I've seen Acarophilia used as well, but there seems to be some confusion as to whether that term refers to tickling or itching. Knismolagnia is the most popular choice among the medical/psychiatric terms for well, whatever all this is. I know when I was taking an Abnormal Psych/Human Sexuality uni course, when fetishes came up knismolagnia was the term of choice.

the difference is very slight.

Acarophilia refers to deriving sexual stimulation from tickling (it's a turn on).

Knismolagnia refers to deriving sexual *satisfaction* from tickling (you actually have an orgasm from tickling).

so, a matter of degree?

 

[The_Laugher]

This is a great subject and one of concern to me. I have never, ever had sexual arrousel from being tickled ot tickling someone. It has never been sexual to me. And I agree that the word fetish causes great concern for some.

The term fetish, however you want to use it, has come to be associated by the mass populas as sexual. I am dealing with this right now. As most of you know, I used to have a site and made videos dedicated to non-sexual tickling themes. About just over two years ago my wife and I went through some issues that resulted in her seeking help from a professional. The psycologist told her this, and I quote, "You and your husband have to accept that fact, wheather or not you want to, the he has a sexual fetish in his tickling and that this type of fetish is a deviant act that will only result in trouble for the both of you".

I confronted the psycologist on this and she would not accept my views on tickling. She stood firm. Since then I have talked to other psycologist to get their views and in the nutshell, they pretty much say the same thing.

So here I am almost three years later with no site, or videos and not being able to go to parties, (That I started here in Michigan) because of this narrow-minded view.

It also strike me that the people doing the research into treating Stress and Depression with tickling will run into a lot of resistance because of this and I have written them and gave them detail and also the various names of the Psycologist so that they can talk to them. I am not sure what because of this.

It is madening, but I continue on fighting the battle over this perception. It is one that I think will go on for a long, long time.

 

[Redmage]

Out of curiosity, were you actually present with your wife in the therapist's office, or are you repeating what your wife reported to you? I ask because it's extremely rare for a therapist to describe a sexual interest as "deviant," especially when it is causing no direct harm to anyone. So I'm surprised that even one said that, let alone three in a row.

That said, there is a nugget of truth there still: if you are so interested in tickling that you come to a fetish forum to discuss it, make videos about it, and that you and/or your wife have sought therapy to deal with it, then there may be more to it for you than you are acknowledging to yourself.

I'd say sexual, yes; deviant, no.

 

[The_Laugher]

Yes, I was with my wife and the Therapist when she said that and the others, while they did use the word deviant tended to agree with her saying that it is impossible for an adult to like tickling without it being a fetish. That I do not agree with. I have a serious problem with the idea that Therapist want to put people into very stringent catagories. There does not seem to be room for a difference of opinion. Also, we didn't go the the therapist because of tickling. It was other issues in our relationship. This topic just came up in the conversation.

I also do not come to this forum because it is a fetish forum. I come here because it is one of very few places to dicuss tickling and share with other. I like the people here and respect and understand all views on tickling. If there was a forum that was totally non-sexual then I would be there.

The only reason I had my site and made the videos was to give people an opportunity to have a place to go where sex was not discussed, and was not a topic at all. And it was quite popular. I had a message board for a while and when the messages started turning to a sexual nature, then I took the board down and all of the people who visited agreed with my decision.

So all I want to do is have people understand that it is not "Just A Sexual Thing" to all of us and because the topic of this thread was "Do you think tickling is a fetish", I wanted to point out that I agree with others that the word itself is very mis-used and because of that can be harmful.

 

[drew70]

Laugher,

I feel for you, bro. You and I go back a long way, and I know your interest in tickling is not sexual. It's both amazing and sad that some people will religiously refuse to accept the notion of a nonsexual interest in tickling.

I hope you and your wife are able to work it out, and you can become active once again.

 

[Redmage]

Yes, I was with my wife and the Therapist when she said that and the others, while they did use the word deviant tended to agree with her saying that it is impossible for an adult to like tickling without it being a fetish. That I do not agree with. I have a serious problem with the idea that Therapist want to put people into very stringent catagories. There does not seem to be room for a difference of opinion. Also, we didn't go the the therapist because of tickling. It was other issues in our relationship. This topic just came up in the conversation.

This still seems very anomalous. You see, if someone asked a therapist "Can an adult like tickling without it being a fetish?" then I would expect the therapist to say "That depends on how much the adult likes tickling, and the amount of space that it takes up in his or her life." Because therapists in fact tend NOT to put people "in very stringent boxes." Their whole way of thinking is contextual.

Here's what I'm seeing: you like tickling enough to seek this place out (and the fact that there is no non-sexual venue for discussing this should tell you something). You like it enough that you've produced videos about it for distribution on the Internet, and started a website on your own. It's important enough in your life that it "just came up" in therapy sessions with three different couples' counselors.

Out of curiosity, have you shown your videos to your parents? Would you ever consider making one of those videos with a child as a model? I should say right up front that I believe your answer to both of these questions will be "no." If I'm right then it might do you good to examine the feelings that the questions evoked.

Now, you can look at this pattern and say that it's not really important enough to be considered a sexual interest for you. And if you can do that then nothing I say is likely to persuade you otherwise. But I have to conclude that the therapists might have been speaking with reason in your particular case.

 

[tcklft]

Tickling should be classified as a deep-sea breathing apparatus, which would clarify and resolve, well, nothing.

 

[The_Laugher]

Well for one, Everyone in my family and all of my friends know of my work and interest in tickling. My sister was in two of my videos. I have never kept it a secret. As far as using kids, no. That would be unwise simply because anything you do with a kid that another adult views as wrong can get you in a hep of trouble. Parent can't even wack a kid on the bottom anymore without fear that someone reporting them for child abuse. There has been a lot of post on here denouncing anyting involving kids and that is fine.

We'll have to agree to disagree or this can go on forever. Bottm line is, I do not nor have I ever used tickling as a sexual device of any kind.

Sorry you can not accept that.

 

[doctortickler]

i am sensing that you have a negative moral connotation for the word fetish... what does that word mean to YOU?

That's a good question, to answer as honest as I can I would say that I've always associated the word fetish with sex and I don't always get turned on when I'm tickling, obviously if I'm tickling a girlfriend for the purpose of sex then yes it will turn me on. That's why I asked the original question to see what everyones oppinion was. Thanks for your input! 😎

 

[Lea28]

What if...

I thought tickling fetish was Acarophilia? Oh well, also the exact definition of fetish is something that replaces regular "sex" because it is often not used in that term, "fixation" replaced the actual meaning of fetish.

What if it does not replace sex, but ADDS to it in terms of arousal? And if we tickle as foreplay or during sex, because it arouses the LEE and LER, then is it not just great sex? I also like my boobs touched, and i like to touch guys all over... and this adds to arousal, but certainly is not described as a boob fetish or penis fetish?

So yea, if ticklish replaces sex, it seems fetish fits... otherwise it is just a means to wonderful, giggly, bouncy sex.

And i love it...

Lea

 

[Redmage]

Well for one, Everyone in my family and all of my friends know of my work and interest in tickling. My sister was in two of my videos. I have never kept it a secret.

So, have you shown your videos to your mother?

As far as using kids, no. That would be unwise simply because anything you do with a kid that another adult views as wrong can get you in a hep of trouble.

And that's the only reason that you wouldn't do it?

We'll have to agree to disagree or this can go on forever. Bottm line is, I do not nor have I ever used tickling as a sexual device of any kind.

If you say so.