Tickling fetishism
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Erotic tickling or tickling fetishism refers to an activity in which participants experience sexual arousal from tickling, or being tickled by, another person. The parts of the body which tend to be the most ticklish are the soles of the feet[1], the armpits, sides of the torso, neck, knee, midriff, navel, breast, and especially the ribs.
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[edit] Terminology
Knismolagnia is the experience of sexual gratification from the act of tickling. Acarophilia, a related term, refers to a general love of tickling and being tickled, but doesn't necessarily have any sexual or fetishist component to it.
Excessive tickling has been described as a primary sexual obsession and, under these circumstances, is sometimes considered a form of paraphilia.[2] People whose sexuality is based almost solely on tickling can be said to have a tickling fixation. This fixation may also exist outside of sexual contexts.
[edit] Overview
Tickling serves as a bonding mechanism between friends, and is classified by psychologists as part of the fifth and highest grade of social play which involves special intimacy or “cognitive interaction”.[3] This suggests that tickling works best when all the parties involved feel comfortable with the situation and one another.[4] During adolescence, tickling often serves as an outlet for sexual energy between individuals, with erotic games, foreplay and sex becoming the motivation of the tickler.[5] The body openings and erogenous zones are extremely ticklish; however, the tickling of these areas is generally not associated with laughter or withdrawal.[6]
Different individuals may find tickling of virtually any region of the body to be pleasurable, and this fetish can also involve excitement just from watching others being tickled. Popular tickle spots include the feet, navel, breasts, nipples, armpits, ribs, sides, stomach, and genitals.
Most adults are known to enjoy tickling, either as participants or spectators.[citation needed] It can play a part in courting rituals, especially among younger people, and can therefore be considered part of foreplay for many partners in the term's broadest sense.
However, people who have a tickling fetish are likely to enjoy this activity to the exclusion of other pre-sex activities. For some, the focus is entirely on the tickling, with full intercourse less important or not included at all.
[edit] Tickling games
Some people take part in tickling games or contests which test their endurance to being tickled, for amusement, for erotic pleasure, or for other reasons. These games may involve some form of physical restraint of the person to be tickled, who is tied up or cuffed, to prevent them protecting the ticklish spots or otherwise interfering with the game. Being hogtied, spread-eagled or in stocks are common positions. The person may also be blindfolded to increase the anxiety and surprise element. The objective of such games is to generate uncontrollable writhing, struggling, laughing and vocalizations etc from the person being tickled, while the person tries to control such reactions, without the ability to physically defend the ticklish spots. The restraints may be left loose to increase the amount of possible movement, but short of the person being able to protect the ticklish spots. On the other hand, some participants prefer very tight bondage.
Bondage tickling games have even made it onto TV in Brazil, as a form of public entertainment.
Although some consider it a BDSM activity, tickling is not fully recognised by the community and is relatively unknown in the mainstream. In Dominance and submission scenarios, sexual partners may agree upon a safeword to signal that tickling should stop.
[edit] References
- ^ Harris, Christine R. (1999). "The mystery of ticklish laughter". American Scientist 87: 344. http://www.americanscientist.org/issues/feature/1999/4/the-mystery-of-ticklish-laughter. Retrieved on 2008-11-09.
- ^ Ellis H. Studies in the psychology of sex. Vol iii. Philadelphia: FA Davis Co.; 1926
- ^ Fagen R. The future of play theory. A multidisciplinary inquiry into the contributions of Brian Sutton-Smith. Albany NY: SUNY Press; 1995. p22-24.
- ^ Michael Moran, Erotic Tickling, Greenery Press, 2003. ISBN 1-890159-46-8.
- ^ Freud S. Three contributions to the theory of sex. In: The basic writings of Freud. New York: Modern Library; 1938.
- ^ Selden ST (2004). "Tickle". J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 50 (1): 93–7. doi:10.1016/S0190 (inactive 2008-06-28). PMID 14699372.
[edit] Bibliography
- Moran, Michael. Erotic Tickling. Greenery Press, 2003. ISBN 1-890159-46-8
- Courtois, Wayne. My Name is Rand. Suspect Thoughts Press, 2004. ISBN 0-9710846-7-X
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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