Furry: A Lifestyle Or A Fetish

[lupestripe]

I think the furry fandom blurs the distinction between fetish and lifestyle. I guess the two aren't mutually exclusive but some consider furry as being purely a fetish whereas others consider it a lifestyle. If you consider other fandoms - anime, Star Wars, cosplay etc - is the difference between sexuality and lifestyle so clearly marked there? I am not so sure.

So ultimately, what is furry for you - a fetish or a lifestyle? Or perhaps it's a little from both. When something is spiritual, is there a real distinction between lifestyle and sex anyway?

Comments

[shep-shepherd.livejournal.com]

Mainly a lifestyle, but definitely a fetish as far as a few aspects go ;)

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I don't know where I fit in really - I imagine column A, column B and probably take or leave at the same time.

[selth.livejournal.com]

don't try to define the furry fandom, lots have tried and failed!

A furry is, to me, any person believing they are an animal trapped in a human body.

To an extend it can include people believing they are animals ^.+.^

I myself believe I'm a dragon trapped in human form. there are a lot more psychologic locks and all that prevent me from expressing myself freely in public... but that serves hiding amongst humans.

now, one of the things I have learned is this : Sex is part of life, not a totally different side to it (thanks Colluche for your philosophy).
the only thing is you gotta learn to know the time and place about that...

lots of the fandom doesn't do things that are to be seen by -18 people. I'm more than ok on this!

now, there are people also who are here especially for the fetishes. I'm not sure it exactly falls under the furry fandom. I've not really met many of them though >.+.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

The Furry Fandom means different things to different people so it's impossible to define per se - people will get different things out of it. I think there are fundamentals though, which relates to the animal and human body angle.

Sex is an important part of life and very closely linked to spirituality and lifestyle, which is why I asked the question. As an adjunct comes the fetishes and if people are open minded enough to be furry, they are probably open minded enough to have fetishes too.

[kiwihunter8.livejournal.com]

I think there should be another term for the fetish. Maybe Anthrophilia?

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I'd second that - we should promulgate it.

[draco751.livejournal.com]

Wow, I actually just was speaking of this very subject with a friend yesterday, and a couple years ago. I think its different for everyone though, for me, its a lifestyle, I base a lot of what I do in life around it. For example I plan my work plans, and other personal things around cons, there for I am putting some life things (not critical of course) based around conventions. I don't think its a "fetish" for me, the fandom that is. Simply because I think fetishes are more like "kinks" to get people off in a sense. The fandom is more like a group I (sometimes) associate with because we all have a general similar interest, art, fursuiting, rp'ing with animal characters. Not everything about the fandom is in sexual manner, so the term fetish just doesn't seem to fit too well. Unless there are things such as non-sexual fetishes, which I'm sure there are.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I definitely think it's different for everyone and people take different things out of it. I put work plans around cons too - just like I put work around visiting furries if I can. Furries dominate my life in many respects - I travelled to SE Asia and met furs out there - this is one of the best things about the Fandom imo. On that level, for me, it's predominantly a group of people with whom I share a common interest.

Can certain aspects of the Fandom be classed as a fetish? I would say probably yes. And other fetishes feed into the fandom too.

[rabid-wolfen.livejournal.com]

Neither here, though I'd be leaning more towards lifestyle...Furry is just a fandom for me really, I like cartoon animals. However, a lot of my friends are furry, my boyfriend's furry and I take commissions for furry art. Yet I don't base my life around furry, but it seems furry intergrates itself there XD

As for the fetish side, furry itself isn't a fetish for me, however some of my kinks intergrate with it well.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I think a lot of kinks integrate with it well and the open-minded nature of people in the fandom allows this to be so. I think one can precipitate the other in many respects so although furry isn't all about kinks, it does form a significant part of the Fandom.

Speaking of commissions, how are mine coming along? I think I still need to tell you my second idea, don't I?

[mfwolf.livejournal.com]

Lifestyle. Sure there are some sexual aspects of it that some might consider a fetish, but I think that aspect, atleast in me, is much more than some simple fetish. Sex is a part of life, and so with furry it's part of the bigger picture.

That's my opinion, though because of the diversity and different cultures within the fandom, a unified answer will never be reached.

~Aerak

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I think we see things similarly. Sexuality and spirituality are closely related and I think that is the best way to sum up the Fandom - fetishes are a part of it and they can be expressed in the Fandom but the Fandom also allows you to express artistic and creative talent that is far beyond kinks. I guess kinks and the Fandom merely feed into each other in places.

As you say though, it's different for different people.

[ember-komodog.livejournal.com]

neither, it's a hobby to me, much in the same line as playing the guitar, or enjoying video games, or cinema, or reading.

it's a hobby I invest a great deal of time into, and one that occassionally bleeds into my sexual kinks (and vice-versa), but ultimately a hobby nonetheless.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I can see how people can see it as a hobby. I guess it's too intrinsic to me to be merely that - I have some sort of empathetic level with furries - but on some levels I suppose it is a hobby for me too.

[diegowolffox.livejournal.com]

50% Lifestyle 50% fetish. that's How I see it and it's good :)

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

Seems to be a fair balance lols. It is partly fetish for me but I wouldn't say as much as 50% - I have stronger and more prevailing kinks ;)

[mortonfox.livejournal.com]

Neither. It's an interest.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

Fair does - like a hobby then?

[tr-wolf.livejournal.com]

Hobby/Social Group

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

*nods*

[slinkat.livejournal.com]

There's certainly an overlap for me, that's for sure, but I think furry in and of itself is more a social outlet for me. My fetishes aren't specifically furry, but aspects of the fandom do make them more enjoyable. I've loved slinky gear and rubber for an ages, but the fact most of my slinky stuff is animal print speaks volumes. Likewise the rubber masks...they could be enjoyed quite happily without ever going near the fandom, but the fact they're animalistic just enhances them for me.

I suppose the real question is, does the fetish seek out the fandom or does the fandom generate the fetish?

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I think your balance is very similar to my own view on it really. I make no secret of the fact though that I am a lifestyle submissive and would like to be treat like a dog 24/7. Logistically, this isn't possible sadly, but a lot of my own kinks feed into animal roleplay, which are intrinsically furry. This is also a spiritual thing for me though so it's not purely sexual.

I think the Fandom and fetishes are linked to each other in both ways - both feed into each other.

[tungro.livejournal.com]

I don't see it as a fetish. There's the sexual side of things, of course, but it just doesn't sit right in my mind next to BDSM and other fetishes...

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I can see what you say but I think the Fandom feeds into BDSM and vice versa. It's not the whole picture though - BDSM is purely fetish but then if you are a lifestyle submissive (like I am) I suppose it is an extreme form of a kink.

So if you are a lifestyle furry are you like a lifestyle submissive? Merely an extreme part of a kink?

Having said that, BDSM exists predominantly for sexual titilation, the Fandom doesn't purely so I see your point.

[sabotlours.livejournal.com]

To me it's definitely not a fetish, although there are a few aspects where one can get pretty kinky with it. I'm all for that.

I was always puzzled by the term "lifesytler." I might consider myself one, as long as it doesn't mean "acting like an animal." Even though I am a bear, I don't live in a cave eating nuts and berries. I am a "furry lifestyler" in terms of having most of my friends as fellow furs and I build my social calendar around furry cons. I do enjoy other things, however, that are not furry at all.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I think the term lifestyler is multi-faceted. I am a wolf-husky and I admit that I would like to be treat as a dog 24/7. I bark, I yap where appropriate yet I also function in the real world. I know I am a human, at least physically, I hold down a job and I have an active social life.

Having said that, most of my social life stems from furry and it is probably the most important thing in my life so I would say I am a lifestyler, even though I don't feel my "furriness" is similar to others' "furriness".

[moth-wingthane.livejournal.com]

I don't see it as either really. I'm not into it enough for it to be a lifestyle and I don't see it as a fetish.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

What do you see it as?

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

There is too much focus and attention put on labels in society, I completely agree, but sometimes it's handy to provoke discussion. I was wondering what people thought and how it marries up with my own view.

[silent-o.livejournal.com]

I think of it more as a lifestyle that comes with its own sexual orientation.



Perhaps, deep down, many of us are just more in touch with our ancient evolutionary history.

Or perhaps it is because some of us are insecure in being human. I mean look at us, we've got no natural defenses. No sharp teeth, no claws, no scales or spines, and our senses suck compared to many other organisms. We are prey living as predators, and only by virtue of our proportionally large brains and use of tools.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I think a lot of spiritual lifestylers certainly are and sex and spirituality are so closely linked, it doesn't surprise me that kinks and fetishes creep in.

I also think you hit the nail on the head regarding insecurities. If you want to be something else, it generally implies you are not happy with who you are. In this case, an animal entity, even if it is a spiritual feeling, at the very least means you are not happy with your human form.

[graywolf769.livejournal.com]

I think its a hobby. Being involved is certainly something I enjoy doing, but I wouldn't exactly define my lifestyle around only furry-related things.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

A lot of people have said it's a hobby and it's something I haven't really considered. I guess I focused too much on the spiritual angle. I have interests outside furry too but I fear I am starting to become too isolated in my furriness lols.

[jaxsonott.livejournal.com]

Mine is more as a hobby....It doesn't totally run my life but it does get involved in a few of my kinks. But i do see it as a hobby or a social life.

Jax

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I can see the hobby angle and the fact that it can feed into kinks is something beneficial. The Fandom isn't solely about kinks but in my case at least, it has enabled me to live mine out.

[kiffylee.livejournal.com]

I'd say a little of collum A and a lil of collum B to be honest... Its more lifestyle than fetish for me though.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

In what way more a lifestyle than a fetish?

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

There are spiritual furs out there though, it's just they tend to be less vociferous amongst the throngs of 18 year olds shouting YIFF!! I'm sure they are there if you look for them. Spirituality and lifestyle I find very closely related.

[metamorphosys.livejournal.com]

I am not sure if this really applies to me but I would see it more as a lifestyle :) Take care.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

Cools - I think it depends on your own attitude to sex and what turns you on.

[streakthetiger.livejournal.com]

More a fetish than a lifestyle.
My life doesn't revolve around the fandom.
But it does make life more fun :D

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

My life probably revolves too much around the Fandom as most of my social life stems from it. I have a professional life too and I can make friends pretty easily but in terms of how I spend my spare time, it's almost completely furry now. I don't know if that makes it more a lifestyle then.

[nitroshep.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, I think a little of both for me. I know I have limitations in both aspects.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

Limitations in what way hun?

[kenshinwolf.livejournal.com]

Hey, thanks for the add. Added you back. :)

As for the topic at hand... For me, I'd have to say it's more of a hobby. I'm not particularly interested in any of the sexual or fetishistic aspects of the fandom, and "lifestyle" just sounds a little too serious for me. Like I should be living naked in a cave somewhere and eating raw meat. :P

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

No probs - glad you have posted. Hi there.

Well, I am sure furries would like to live naked in a cave somewhere eating raw meat...

[helen-hedgey.livejournal.com]

am one of the 'neither' peeps. I'm just a Sonic fan who goes to meets sometimes =P

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I like Sonic, fair to say he is my favourite ever hedgehog :)