The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

Some people do it differently

Yes, in this situation, it refers to sex. Some people enjoy various kinks, or sexual tastes and preferences, when it comes to their sex lives. Understanding what these kinks are all about will help many young adults to adapt to situations in which their partners have interesting kinks.


Yes, in this situation, it refers to sex. Some people enjoy various kinks, or sexual tastes and preferences, when it comes to their sex lives. Understanding what these kinks are all about will help many young adults to adapt to situations in which their partners have interesting kinks.

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Urban dictionary suggests, usually, a kink is an unusual taste in sexual behavior. Kinks are often out of the ordinary when it comes to sexual behavior, which often makes those who are encountering a kinky person for the first time uncomfortable and unsure of how to get down to business.

Maybe it would help to understand that not all kinks are considered to be unsafe. And, for the most part, people with kinks generally practice their kinky behavior alone. But, whether they are done in private, with a partner or, less acceptably, in public, kinks need to be understood before they are categorized as enjoyable behavior, dismissive behavior or downright dangerous behavior.

Kinks come in many forms. A more prominent member of the kink family is a fetish, or an activity that stems from interaction with any object or non-genital part of the body that causes habitual erotic response or fixation. Similarly, fetishism is regarded as the compulsive use of some object, or part of the body, as a stimulus in the course of attaining sexual gratification, as a shoe, a lock of hair, or underclothes.

Fetishes are habitual in nature, and ironically, fetishism is often considered to be a blind devotion. Those two concepts go hand-in-hand.

Fetishes come in a wide variety of forms. People have fetishes with common, everyday items such as shoes, bras, underwear and even body parts, such as feet. Commonly, these items have no sexual appeal, but to many of those with fetishes, they provide sexual excitation. To become excited, a person with a fetish may smell, kiss, taste or fondle the item.

Aside from seductive clothing, though, are other items that have become objects of desire for those with fetishes. It is not uncommon for fetishisms to arise from perfumes, mementos or uniforms, as well. Uniform fetishes, specifically, occur because of the fantasy related to the role of perceived power in uniforms being worn says L. F. Lowenstein, M.D.

Foot fetishes are a common form of fetishistic behavior, and are followed closely behind by pantyhose fetishes. It is as if the two are closely associated with one another, especially after it was discovered that an increase in foot fetishes are related to an increase in sexually transmitted diseases, as well as the AIDS epidemic. People with foot fetishes then adopted pantyhose fetishes, as the pantyhose would serve as a second skin or magic skin for protective purposes. Males, especially, would wear pantyhose during sexual activity to avoid catching STDs.

When asked why some people have fetishes, a student who wished to remain anonymous responded, Because of uncontrollable feelings coming from their genitals. However, from this quote, you can see that fetishes are not fully understood by the general public.

More than one student had a similar reaction to this question. Clearly, understanding from where a fetish stems would answer a lot of questions the general public may have about fetishes, whether that population is sexually active or not.

Fetishes are difficult to explain, and much of the research done on where fetishes come from arises from psychoanalytic theories. It has been suggested by Freudian psychologists that fetishes can be explained through the Oedipus complex occurring when people are confronted with castration threats. It is from this point, according to late 20th-century psychologist Norberto Carlos Marucco, that the ego is split and the consequence is a special relationship between the man, his reality and his sexuality.

In terms of kinks, fetishes tend to be the safest type of kinky behavior in which a human, or any other living creature for that matter, can take part. Unfortunately, though, some kinky behavior is cause for concern. The law often labels behaviors such as bondage, domination and submission, as well as sadomasochism to be dangerous. Individuals who practice these kinks are often viewed as damaged and in need of therapy.

Sadists and masochists, or sadomasochists, experience sexual gratification by inflicting and enduring painful activities, specifically during sexual intercourse. Though pop star Rihanna may claim that for her, sticks and stones may break my bones, but chains and whips excite me, sadomasochism is not usually an activity that the general public enjoys or is comfortable talking about.

According to philosophers Leopold Von Sacher-Masoch and the Marquis de Sade, sadomasochism occurs between two types of people – those who like to get hurt and those who like to see people get hurt. Sacher-Masoch suggested that masochists are people who like to get hurt. Sadists, according to Sade, are people who like to see others get hurt. A sadomasochistic relationship may be dangerous, as participants are likely to experience both physical and mental pain from the experience.

So, some people really do ‘do it’ differently, and, more than not, kinks end up being harmless. But, in the rare case that sadomasochism or sadomasochist desires become an issue, kinks may prove to be dangerous, especially in the eyes of society. One has to wonder if in such situations, and as long as they involve consenting adults, whether or not society should even have the right to judge in the first place. Regardless, staying knowledgeable about kinks and whether or not a sexual partner may have them will help a person to adapt to new sexual situations if they may arise.

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