Sigmund Freud .. only around 100 years ago … much more influential than we think he is?

Psycho analysis …. psychoanalyze

Sigmund Freud’s interest in fetishism was deeply rooted in his broader theories of psychoanalysis, which aimed to understand the complexities of human psychology, especially in the realm of sexuality. Freud’s exploration of fetishism was part of his efforts to comprehend how seemingly irrational behaviors and desires could be explained through unconscious processes and early childhood experiences. Here are some key reasons why Freud cared about fetishism:

1. Exploring the Unconscious: Freud believed that many aspects of human behavior, particularly in the realm of sexuality, were driven by unconscious desires and impulses. Fetishism, with its seemingly irrational fixation on non-sexual objects or body parts, offered a window into understanding these unconscious processes.
2. Childhood Development and Sexuality: Freud theorized that sexual fetishes were often rooted in early childhood experiences and traumas. He suggested that a fetish could develop as a result of a child’s attempt to resolve or cope with complex feelings, such as castration anxiety or the realization of sexual differences between males and females.
3. Symbolism and Displacement: Freud was interested in how the mind uses symbolism and displacement to deal with difficult emotions or desires. In fetishism, the fetish object often symbolizes something else – something that the individual finds comforting or erotically charged. This displacement was a key concept in Freud’s theories.
4. Challenge to Traditional Views of Sexuality: At a time when sexuality was not openly discussed, Freud’s work, including his study of fetishes, challenged traditional Victorian ideas about sexual norms and behaviors. His ideas opened up new avenues for understanding the diversity and complexity of human sexual desires.
5. Broader Psychoanalytic Theory: Fetishism was also significant for Freud in that it fit into his larger psychoanalytic framework, which included the Oedipus complex, the psychosexual stages of development, and the structure of the psyche (id, ego, and superego). Understanding fetishism helped to reinforce and elaborate these broader theories.

In essence, Freud’s interest in fetishism was part of his lifelong endeavor to explore and explain the intricacies of the human mind, particularly those aspects that were, at the time, poorly understood or taboo. His work on fetishism contributed to a greater understanding of human sexuality and its psychological underpinnings.