I have a six year old son that seems to have a foot fetish.

Hi Customer (name blocked for privacy), thanks for using Just Answer for you question. My name's Gloria and I'm online now to help.

1. Can you tell me what your son does, and why you think he has a foot fetish?

2. Have you talked to his pediatrician about this?

Write me back with your answers, I'd be glad to help. Thanks, Gloria

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Information contained herein is general information. It is not official medical/nursing advice, nor official health teaching/counseling/information. It is not a substitute for professional medical care.

Thank you Gloria. My son is sneaky about it. He started when he was about 2 years old. He stopped when he was about 4 years old and just started again last month. He will touch my feet when I'm sleeping. He also tries to touch my 3 year old son's feet too. He tells him to take his socks off. My 6 year old gets aroused by this. I haven't talked to his pediatrician yet. I am planning to next week, but I wanted to do a little bit of research first. The stuff I'm finding on-line is a bit disturbing.

Thanks for your reply.

1. Are you sure he's getting aroused, or is he just being silly or playing?

2. Any possibility that he's doing this to get your attention or make you mad?

Thanks, Gloria

__________________
Information contained herein is general information. It is not official medical/nursing advice, nor official health teaching/counseling/information. It is not a substitute for professional medical care.

When I've woken up and found him touching my feet, there have been times he's sliding back and forth on his belly. I've had talks with him about how people's bodies are privated. He told me that he would touch me feet anymore because it makes his "pee pee" hurt. He's been staying away from me, but now he's moved on to my 3 year old.

Does he do the same thing with your three year old? (sliding on his belly?)

Sorry for all of the questions, I'm just trying to get an idea of the situation, so I can help you better.

Thanks, Gloria

__________________
Information contained herein is general information. It is not official medical/nursing advice, nor official health teaching/counseling/information. It is not a substitute for professional medical care.

He has done the same this. My mother babysits them during the day while I work. The 3 year old went to mother yesterday and told her that the 6 year old wanted him to take his socks off. The 6 year old hides under the blankets while he does it.

It could just be coincidental. It's unlikely that he has a foot fetish at his age. Some kids at this age are curious about their bodies, and may not necessarily understand what they are doing. I do recommend that you ask your pediatrician about it.

If it turns out to be a concern for you or your pediatrician, you may ask your pediatrician to recommend a counselor or child psychologist to work with your child. He may even be acting out and doing something that he knows upsets you, just for attention. As they say with kids, negative attention is attention. They may do whatever they can at this age to get it. The first time he did this may have been just a coincidence that he was touching your feet with no fetish attatched or intended- and when he saw that it upset you, he may be doing it to get a reaction.

Sometimes abused or molested children will act out in certain ways- I'm not at all saying that he was abused or molested, I'm just stating this as a general fact.

If you have anymore questions, please continue to ask- that's what I'm here for! Otherwise, if you are satisfied with this answer, please hit the accept button and leave positive feedback. Thanks, Gloria
   


Information contained herein is not intended for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions and is not a subsitute for professional medical care. Please call/seek your doctor now about your symptoms or questions. All information is general advice and opinions and is not official medical/nursing advice, health teaching, health counseling, or health information. Information provided should not be used during any emergency situation- call 911 for all medical emergencies.

__________________
Information contained herein is general information. It is not official medical/nursing advice, nor official health teaching/counseling/information. It is not a substitute for professional medical care.

At what age is it considered a fetish?

It's debateable. Some would say that it may be a fetish when a person is old enough to realize that it's a sexual thing or feeling. At six years old, kids really don't understand sexuality yet.

At his age, he's probably too young to even understand the concept. And again, at his age kids are more curious than anything.

A counselor can determine why he's behaving this way. Again, it could be coincidental.

Kids do all sorts of things at this age for attention more than anything, especially if they have younger siblings. Don't be worried- talk to his pediatrician.

If you have more questions, please just ask!

Edited by Gloria K on February 2 2007 at 4:36pm

__________________
Information contained herein is general information. It is not official medical/nursing advice, nor official health teaching/counseling/information. It is not a substitute for professional medical care.

Thank you so much for your advice and your time. You've been a big help and you've put minimized some of my fears. I will definately speak with the pediatrician and find out more.
Thank you again!

You're welcome. Take care, and make sure to talk to his pediatrician about this if it's bothering you- you and his doctor know him the best. Take care, and good luck. Gloria

__________________
Information contained herein is general information. It is not official medical/nursing advice, nor official health teaching/counseling/information. It is not a substitute for professional medical care.