Understand Fetishes

© Thinkstock

Understanding Fetishes: Voyeurism & Exhibitionism

Page 1 of 3

Understanding fetishes starts with paraphilias




Understanding fetishes may reveal contradictions

A voyeur and an exhibitionist appear to be a match made in paraphilic heaven. One loves to watch, the other loves to be watched. You’d think this would make for beautiful music, but each person in the world has his own individual desires, turn-ons and limits, which can make it difficult to know where to draw the line when engaging in erotic desires. Often, consent plays an important role in whether people get turned on, turned off, angry, excited, or get in trouble with the law. For some, the idea of not having consent is what sexually arouses them, which can be a dangerous game to play.

These days, there are a number of ways people express their voyeuristic/exhibitionist desires, and they range from the harmless to the harmful.

Revealing the voyeur

Some examples of nonconsensual voyeuristic behaviors include using peepholes, spying and using concealed or hidden cameras to record individuals (i.e., Erin Andrews) for upskirt shots and in places like bathrooms, changing rooms and public/private environments.

Some examples of consensual voyeuristic behaviors could include watching a partner undress or masturbate, checking out an internet “live” cam, observing people at a nude beach, and watching people have intercourse at a sex club.

Keep in mind that those individuals on internet live cams, at a nude beach and those having intercourse at a sex club offer a certain degree of implied consent because they are aware they will be seen. Flashers and people engaging in public sex who purposely get caught may fall under non-consensual exhibitionists, while the exotic dancer and people who perform on webcams, have Skype sex or send photos of themselves through sexting may be considered consensual exhibitionists.

Understanding fetishes continues with a look into the psychology of voyeurism and exhibitionism...


Show Comments