WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FETISH AND A KINK?

Often, you will find that the words “kink” and “fetish” are thrown around when it comes to anything sexual. Even though many people use them interchangeably there are a few distinct differences between them. When wrapping your head around the differences between a fetish and a kink, it’s good to think of it like this: A kink is something someone likes to do to enhance sex, and a fetish is something someone has to do to experience sexual satisfaction.

What is a fetish?

Usually, a fetish is when someone gets sexually aroused by something that’s not typically sexual. Think of the sexual attraction some people have towards feet and shoes. That could be considered a fetish because feet are not typically sexual. Another fetish may be latex or perhaps food. The fetish list goes on.

Also, having a fetish may mean that you need to do something to feel aroused. To feel sexually satisfied, a person may need to wear, hold, smell, rub, or taste their fetish to get some kind of sexual stimulation.

Someone with a food fetish, for example, may need to eat or see their partner eating to get aroused. Latex fetishists may need to be fully clothed in latex before feeling aroused.

Even though a fetish may be specific, most are completely harmless and tend to be easily integrated into a person’s sex life. ‘

What causes people to have sexual fetishes?

A fetish can be thought of as a psychological need for specific objects or activities to experience pleasure.

However, there is no conclusive cause for sexual fetishes. They may arise at any point in a person’s life and could be sparked by a variety of circumstances. It’s not odd to come across something in your life that you find an undeniable attraction towards with a need to explore it. As mentioned, most of these are harmless.

What is a kink?

Although often confused with a fetish, a kink is actually a much broader term that includes a host of alternative sexual interests. These interests are above and beyond regular “vanilla” sex but are still related to sex in some way. Kinks can include BDSM, roleplaying or swinging.

In essence, a kink is still sexual in nature and adds to a person’s or couple’s sex life. A kink by itself would still be considered sexual for most people, such as swinging, for example. Also, many people who enjoy kinks also have several different kinks and can still enjoy sex without them. In other words, their arousal isn’t dependent on the kink.

What causes people to have sexual kinks?

Just like a fetish, there is no definitive cause for having a kink. What’s more, a kink doesn’t need a cause. It’s like enjoying any other activity. You enjoy doing it because it’s fun and exciting. 

Exploring your kinks and fetishes safely

One of the most important things to remember in order to safely enjoy any kink or fetish is consent. It’s the same with any sexual activity. You should make sure that the person you want to experience your fetish or kink with is completely in the loop and aware of what excites you, and more importantly, is consenting to it.

This means that you would obviously need to communicate your desires to your partner. This can be awkward at first. However, keeping your desires bottled up can be even more awkward and frustrating.

If yOur kink or fetish has an element of risk to it, such as bondage, then it’s necessary to have safety measures in place. This could be a safety word for yourself or your partner, or a first aid kit that you can use if something goes wrong. This is also where the principal of SSC comes in. Everything you do should be Safe, Sane and Consensual.

Finding your desires

Having a fetish or a kink is exciting and normal, and many people are able to explore their desires with a trusting partner. Sometimes, sex toys can help you explore these desires by giving you the tools and accessories you may need to fully immerse yourself in them. As long as what you do is Safe, Sane and Consensual, the world of fetish and kink is yours to explore.