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 ;)

[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 >.+.

[kiwihunter8.livejournal.com]

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

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[diegowolffox.livejournal.com]

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

[mortonfox.livejournal.com]

Neither. It's an interest.

[tr-wolf.livejournal.com]

Hobby/Social Group

[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?

[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...

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[metamorphosys.livejournal.com]

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

[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

[nitroshep.livejournal.com]

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

[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

[helen-hedgey.livejournal.com]

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