Is it fetishization for someone to find X ethnicity more attractive than every other ethnicity? (lemmy.ca)

submitted 2 weeks ago by Himedanshi@lemmy.ca to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

NSFW 17 comments fedilink hide all child comments

when I think of the word "fetish" I'm thinking about people who are into feet, bdsm, femdom, cuckolding or MDLB. Not someone who just finds X ethnicity more attractive on average than any other ethnicity. Nobody for example is going to say to a white man that he has a white girl fetish simply because he finds white women more attractive on average than any other ethnicity. Because it's completely understandable that most people prefer to date with their own ethnicity. But the minute that white man finds a black women more attractive on average suddenly that's fetishization. It's completely ridiculous.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[-] roscoe@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

My understanding of fetishizing is that it has little to nothing to do with physical characteristics, but is instead determined by stereotyping.

Saying you have a preference, even a strong preference, for physical traits that are more often, or even exclusively, found in a certain group is simply what you're attracted to. Saying you prefer partners from "X" group because (insert list of stereotypes) is fetishizing.

For one example, consider the language that incels and people looking for "trad" partners use. They talk about preferring certain ethnic groups because they think all women from those groups are submissive, more feminine, adhere to traditional gender roles, etc., that's fetishizing.

this post was submitted on 11 May 2025

10 points (100.0% liked)

Ask Lemmy

31821 readers

546 users here now

A Fediverse community for open-ended, thought provoking questions

Rules: (interactive)

1) Be nice and; have fun

Doxxing, trolling, sealioning, racism, and toxicity are not welcomed in AskLemmy. Remember what your mother said: if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. In addition, the site-wide Lemmy.world terms of service also apply here. Please familiarize yourself with them

2) All posts must end with a '?'

This is sort of like Jeopardy. Please phrase all post titles in the form of a proper question ending with ?

3) No spam

Please do not flood the community with nonsense. Actual suspected spammers will be banned on site. No astroturfing.

4) NSFW is okay, within reason

Just remember to tag posts with either a content warning or a [NSFW] tag. Overtly sexual posts are not allowed, please direct them to either !asklemmyafterdark@lemmy.world or !asklemmynsfw@lemmynsfw.com. NSFW comments should be restricted to posts tagged [NSFW].

5) This is not a support community.

It is not a place for 'how do I?', type questions. If you have any questions regarding the site itself or would like to report a community, please direct them to Lemmy.world Support or email info@lemmy.world. For other questions check our partnered communities list, or use the search function.

6) No US Politics.

Please don't post about current US Politics. If you need to do this, try !politicaldiscussion@lemmy.world or !askusa@discuss.online

Reminder: The terms of service apply here too.