fetishism

In psychology, the transfer of erotic interest to an object, such as an item of clothing, whose real or fantasized presence is necessary for sexual gratification. The fetish may also be a part of the body not normally considered erogenous, such as the feet.

Sexual fetishism is usually found only in men. According to Sigmund Freud, a young boy on seeing the female genitals, usually his mother's, for the first time takes the fact that there is no penis as evidence of the supposed threat of castration. The fetishist deals with his castration anxiety by refusing to accept the fact of the ‘missing penis’ and substitutes the fetish for it.