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Belly fetish

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A woman wearing a crop top and low rise jeans, leaving her belly exposed

A belly fetish (also known as a stomach fetish, or alvinolagnia)[1][2] is a partialism in which an individual is sexually attracted to the midriff[3] or belly.[4]

Description

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The belly is widely considered as an erogenous region,[5] meaning it holds multiple nerve endings that make it sensitive to various sensations.[6] Therefore, having a belly fetish usually coincides with belly-related sexual acts including but not limited to pressing a partner's belly, touching/rubbing the belly region, using sex toys and other objects (e.g., food, candles, ice, feathers, massage oils) to stimulate the belly region, rubbing one's belly against a partner's belly, or licking or sucking the navel.[7] For this reason, belly fetishism (alvinolagnia) often co-exists with navel fetishism (alvinophilia).[8][9]

Belly-to-belly contact

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It is theorized that a sexual desire for belly-to-belly contact is linked to the evolutionary need for ventral-ventral contact when being nursed as an infant[10][11] or to entice feelings of being nurtured and loved.[12] One participant of a social experiment involving belly-to-belly contact described the act as "a very intimate thing, even when it's not meant to be."[13]

A couple demonstrating sexual belly-to-belly contact in the missionary position

Evolutionary perspective

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The evolutionary need for ventral-ventral contact may also arise from the need for physical contact, which is critical for human development.[14] This connection to early human development, where close physical contact is essential for survival, could explain why belly-to-belly contact remains comforting and desirable in the context of the paraphilia.

Belly-to-belly contact might also play a role in sexual selection, where close physical proximity and the sharing of warmth could be seen as indicators of a strong, nurturing partnership and the ability to provide nurturance to offspring.[15] This contact, whether in sexual or non-sexual contexts, can strengthen interindividual bonds, contributing to a sense of security and mutual support.[16]

Psychological and socioemotional perspective

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For some, belly-to-belly contact can be a deeply sensory experience, evoking feelings of comfort, safety, and connection.[17] The warmth and softness of this contact can be soothing and contribute to emotional regulation, much like how infants are calmed by close physical contact with their caregivers.[14][18][19] In adult relationships, this contact can reinforce a sense of closeness and emotional intimacy, extending beyond romantic contexts to include friendships and family bonds.[20][21]

Band members wearing revealing clothing embracing post-concert, resulting in non-sexual belly-to-belly contact

These psychological undertones of ventral-ventral contact may also contribute to emotional and/or physiological arousal during objectively non-sexual belly-to-belly contact, which may happen when hugging or cuddling while wearing skin-revealing clothing (e.g., crop top, bikini);[22] taking part in some forms of partnered dance (e.g., bachata (dance), salsa (dance), tango (dance));[23] or participating in sports involving belly-to-belly contact either due to the sports' nature (e.g., wrestling, mixed martial arts)[24] or as a strategy for obtaining rest, breaking-up an opponent's rhythm, heightening camaraderie during play, and/or eliciting post-play celebration (e.g., boxing, beach volleyball).[25][26][27]

Neuroscientific perspective

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Belly-to-belly contact can stimulate release of oxytocin, the "bonding hormone," which plays a key role in forming social bonds, enhancing trust, and reducing stress.[28] Touching sensitive areas like the belly further amplifies this "bonding" effect, as sensitive touch can stimulate neuronal firing in the brain's reward center, the nucleus accumbens (NAc).[29][30] As a result, belly-to-belly contact neuropsychologically augments the emotional intimacy between two individuals.[31]

Moreover, as the torso contains numerous vital organs, belly-to-belly contact stimulates pathways related to thermoregulation and homeostasis.[32] A study of 51 newborns found that SSC with belly-to-belly touch was significantly more effective at regulating newborn body temperature and homeostasis than using radiant heat alone.[33] Therefore, belly-to-belly contact may help calm the autonomic nervous system, reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation.[34]

Cultural background

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Western culture

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Some assume that alvinolagnia is a cause of the prevalent western fashion of female midriff exposure.[35] In the Victorian era, a small waist was considered the main trait of a beautiful woman.[36] The advent of bikinis in 1946,[37] the cheerleading fashion of the 1970s[38] and low-rise fashion started in the early 1990s[39] have contributed to widespread fascination of the belly region. Specific breakthroughs of the belly region being featured in American media include Cher in the 1970s The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, as well as the character Ariel in Disney's The Little Mermaid.[40] Midriff exposure also became common in the culture of 20th-century music with many famous female pop stars appearing on and offstage and in music videos with their midriff exposed.[41][42][43] Some get attracted to women wearing a crop top or bikini.[44]

Despite the prevalence of alvinolagnia, midriff exposure, and sexual belly-to-belly contact throughout Western pop culture, it is rare for belly-to-belly contact to be featured in Western media under a non-sexual tone. Nonetheless, non-sexual belly-to-belly contact in Western media generally represents either the establishment of a non-sexual friendship or the strengthening of an existing bond between two people.[45]

Middle Eastern culture

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Belly dancing movements are considered to be seductive.

The eastern art of belly dancing places the female midriff on center stage.[46][47] The dance movements of the torso are considered to be seductive.[48]

Indian culture

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The exposure of midriff and navel in a sari. (In Image: Sherlyn Chopra)

The bare female midriff is considered attractive and erotic in India.[49] Baring the midriff has always been a fashion in Indian women attire.[50][51] Indian women have traditionally worn saris[52] that bares the midriff, especially South Indian women.[53][54] The exposure of midriff in a sari is considered to be erotic.[55] The midriff is revealed in other traditional female attires like Ghagra choli.[56] Belly chains known as kamarband in India when worn with low-rise saris and lehengas are considered sensuous.[57] Most Indian women wear belly chains during weddings and other ceremonies as a show of culture and tradition. Nowadays, women have been pairing these chains with western outfits, mostly to draw attention to their figures.[58]

Other parties may draw attention to demure floor-length attire and displays of a bare midriff.[59][60] Indian actress Ileana D'Cruz had commented that there were shots where a big porcelain seashell was thrown on her belly and flowers decorated around her waist during the shoot of her debut film and stated that the belly and navel is supposed to be a mark of a woman's beauty in South Indian films and they believe that the waist line is the most attractive part. Actress Rashmika Mandanna has played several scenes wearing low rise jeans, revealing her navel to sensually entice the protagonist, quoting in an interview "I would say the navel is the hottest region of a woman's body...I perhaps enjoy revealing my belly".[61][62][63][64] Indian singer Chinmayi once tweeted against a fan's request for saris during performances, saying, "Groups of men [...] take photographs of my waist + side of my chest, circle it and upload it on soft porn websites", adding that she "get[s] messages on how they're masturbating to it".[65]

Another reported manifestation of alvinolagnia in India is arousal from pinching a woman on her midriff bared by the sari.[66]

Accessories and tattoos

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Woman with a navel piercing and a tattoo.

Some people wear accessories like belly chains, navel piercings, and tattoos to enhance the appearance of the belly.[67] It can be a delicate thin or heavy thick chain.[58]

Navel piercing[68] and navel tattoos[69] have become more common among young women. The trend of piercing or tattooing the navel became popular in the 1990s.[70] It is popular among middle-aged women.[71][72] Some belly chains attach to a navel piercing; they are called "pierced belly chains".[73] Similar to navel piercings, hip piercings are also popular among women to express a bold personality.[74]

Sometimes, looser clothing such as scarves or skirts around the female waist and curves can be seen as sexually appealing.[75] Scarves wrapped around the waist are common among belly dancers.[76][77]

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ Holmes, Ronald M.; Holmes, Stephen T. (2002). "Sex crimes: patterns and behavior". Psychology (2, illustrated, reprint ed.). Sage Publications. p. 19. ISBN 978-0-7619-2417-3.
  2. ↑ Love, Brenda (1992). Encyclopedia of Unusual Sex Practices. Barricade Books. p. 304.
  3. ↑ "CRM 397: Sex Offences" (PDF). Criminology - Missouri State University. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  4. ↑ Convery, Paul (2012). Inkhorn's Erotonomicon: An Advanced Sexual Vocabulary for Verbivores and Vulgarians. Vol. 1. Troubador Publishing. p. 13. ISBN 978-1-78088-315-1. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  5. ↑ Tyagi, Pallavi (31 July 2012). "Most pleasurable moan zones!". Times of India. Archived from the original on 5 September 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  6. ↑ Khan, Arman (20 August 2022). "What Is Navel Play? A Beginner's Guide to Belly Button Fetishes". Vice Media Group.
  7. ↑ Brady, Krissy (15 March 2016). "11 Sexy Things to Do to Your Partner's Belly Button in Bed". Women's Health Magazine.
  8. ↑ Aggrawal, Anil (2009). Forensic and medico-legal aspects of sexual crimes and unusual sexual practices. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. p. 121. ISBN 978-1-4200-4309-9. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  9. ↑ Swami, Viren; Furnham, Adrian (2008). The Psychology of Physical Attraction. Indiana University: Routledge. p. 134. ISBN 978-0-415-42250-5.
  10. ↑ McConnell, Patricia (9 February 2010). "Hugging". The Other End of the Leash.
  11. ↑ "Skin-to-Skin Contact". UNICEF United Kingdom. 2022.
  12. ↑ Chewy Editorial (20 January 2021). "Do Dogs Like Hugs?". BeChewy.
  13. ↑ The Doctors (17 April 2017). "Do Shirtless Hugs Reduce More Stress?". YouTube.
  14. 1 2 Barlow, Harry F. (1 December 1958). "The Nature of Love" (PDF). Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects.
  15. ↑ Buss, D. M.; Schmitt, D. P. (1993). "Sexual Strategies Theory: An Evolutionary Perspective on Human Mating" (PDF). Psychological Review.
  16. ↑ Puts, D. A. (2010). "Beauty and the beast: Mechanisms of sexual selection in humans". Evolution and Human Behavior.
  17. ↑ Field, Tiffany (2010). "Touch for socioemotional and physical well-being: A review". Developmental Review. 30 (4): 367–383. doi:10.1016/j.dr.2011.01.001.
  18. ↑ Moore, E. R.; Bergman, N.; Anderson, G. C.; Medley, N. (2016). "Early skin-to-skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborn infants". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2016 (11) CD003519. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003519.pub4. PMC 6464366. PMID 27885658.
  19. ↑ Hertenstein, M. J.; Weiss, S. J. (2011). "The Handbook of Touch: Neuroscience, Behavioral, and Health Perspectives".
  20. ↑ Gallace, A.; Spence, C. (2010). "The science of interpersonal touch: An overview". Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 34 (2): 246–259. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2008.10.004. PMID 18992276.
  21. ↑ Debrot, A.; Schoebi, D.; Perrez, M.; Horn, A. B. (2013). "Touch as an interpersonal emotion regulation process in couples' daily lives: The mediating role of psychological intimacy". Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
  22. ↑ Hunter Myrray, Sarah (28 August 2017). "The Sexual Science of Cuddling". Psychology Today.
  23. ↑ "Latin Club Dances". Phoenix Latin & Ballroom. 2022.
  24. ↑ Carroll, Kyle (2014). "Technique of the Week: Belly-to-Belly Suplex". MyMMANews.
  25. ↑ Smith, Jacob (10 October 2022). "Why Do People Hug in Boxing?". Casino.org.
  26. ↑ Gatollari, Mustafa (2 August 2021). "Volleyball Players Celebrate After Every Point for Two Reasons". Distractify.
  27. ↑ Tetsuchi Kajimoto; Paresh Dave (6 August 2021). "Beach Volleyball-America's Ross and Klineman beat Australia for gold". Reuters.
  28. ↑ M. Heinrichs; B. von Dawans; G. Domes (2009). "Oxytocin, vasopressin, and human social behavior" (PDF). Psychoneuroendocrinology. 34 (3): 341–349. doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2009.05.005. PMID 19505497.
  29. ↑ L. J. Elias; I. K. Succi; M. D. Schaffler; W. Foster; M. A. Gradwell; M. Bohic; A. Fushiki; A. Upadhyay; L. L. Ejoh; R. Schwark; R. Frazer; B. Bistis; J. E. Burke; V. Saltz; J. E. Boyce; A. Jhumka; R. M. Costa; V. E. Abraira; I. Abdus-Saboor (2023). "Touch neurons underlying dopaminergic pleasurable touch and sexual receptivity". Cell Press. 186 (3): 577–590. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2022.12.034. PMC 9898224. PMID 36693373.
  30. ↑ K. Maruyama; R. Shimoju; M. Ohkubo; H. Maruyama; M. Kurosawa (2012). "Tactile skin stimulation increases dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens in rats". Journal of Physiological Science. 62 (3): 259–266. doi:10.1007/s12576-012-0205-z. PMC 10717409. PMID 22411566.
  31. ↑ Howard, John (2022). More Than Words: The Science of Deepening Love and Connection in Any Relationship. S&S/Simon Element. pp. 6, 55. ISBN 978-1-9821-8232-8.
  32. ↑ A. Fotopoulo; M. von Mohr; C. Krahé (2022). "Affective regulation through touch: homeostatic and allostatic mechanisms". Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences. 43: 80–87. doi:10.1016/j.cobeha.2021.08.008. PMC 7612031. PMID 34841013.
  33. ↑ J. A. Färdig (1980). "A comparison of skin-to-skin contact and radiant heaters in promoting neonatal thermoregulation". Journal of Nurse-Midwifery. 25 (1): 19–28. doi:10.1016/0091-2182(80)90005-1. PMID 6898112.
  34. ↑ T. Field (2010). "Touch for socioemotional and physical well-being: A review". Developmental Review. 30 (4): 367–383. doi:10.1016/j.dr.2011.01.001.
  35. ↑ Victor T. Cheney (2004). The Sex Offenses and their Treatments: The Problem--The Solution--Commentary. AuthorHouse. p. 135. ISBN 978-1-4184-2951-5.
  36. ↑ Silver, A.K. (2004). Victorian Literature and the Anorexic Body. UK: Cambridge University Press. pp. 38 & 48. ISBN 0-511-03051-7
  37. ↑ The Two Piece Swimsuit Evolution Archived 2015-11-17 at the Wayback Machine. Gla moursurf.com.
  38. ↑ Tim Delaney, Tim Madigan (2009). Sports: Why People Love Them!. University Press of America. p. 248. ISBN 978-0-7618-4489-1.
  39. ↑ New York Media, LLC (10 May 1993). "Navel Mauvers". New York. p. 26. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
  40. ↑ Leon F Seltzer, PhD (10 May 2017). "What's So Sexy About Belly Buttons? Might navels be the most tantalizing--but least publicized--erogenous zone?". Psychology Today.
  41. ↑ Christina Anderson (18 July 2012). "Rihanna, Madonna And 48 More Celebrities Who Made The Midriff So Fabulous (Photos)". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  42. ↑ DANELLE SANDOVAL (19 May 2015). "The 9 Best Christina Aguilera Midriff Moments From The '90s To 2000s, From Her "What A Girl Wants" Days To The "Dirrty" Era". BUSTLE. Archived from the original on 15 June 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  43. ↑ "Boobs, Belly & Thigh! Dissect the Sexy Anatomy Of the ACM Awards Right Here!". perezhilton.com. 7 April 2014. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  44. ↑ "Alvinolagnia". gaypopculture.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  45. ↑ Larry Gross (26 December 2001). "Up from Invisibility: Lesbians, Gay Men, and the Media in America". Google Books. ISBN 978-0-231-52932-7.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: periodical has ISBN (link)
  46. ↑ drmarkgriffiths (2 October 2013). "Dance encounter: A beginner's guide to choreophila". drmarkgriffiths.wordpress.com. Archived from the original on 23 May 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  47. ↑ Charlene Chua (28 March 2012). "Belly sexy dancing". Asia One. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
  48. ↑ Karin van Nieuwkerk (1998). ""An hour for God and an hour for the heart": Islam, gender and female entertainment in Egypt". Music & Anthropology. §5. Archived from the original on 30 November 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  49. ↑ Alka Pande (2011). Shringara the many faces of Indian beauty. Rupa Publications. ISBN 978-81-291-2531-6.
  50. ↑ Miller, Daniel & Banerjee, Mukulika; (2004) "The Sari", Lustre press / Roli books;
  51. ↑ "Grange Official says Optimism Prevails about India's Future". Reading Eagle. 6 April 1969. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  52. ↑ Dhamija, Jasleen; Jain, Jyotindra (1989). Handwoven fabrics of India. Mapin. p. 149.
  53. ↑ Alkazi, Roshan (1983) "Ancient Indian costume", Art Heritage;
  54. ↑ Ghurye (1951) "Indian costume", Popular book depot (Bombay)
  55. ↑ Khushwant Singh (2012). Sex, Scotch & Scholarship. HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 978-93-5029-242-6.
  56. ↑ "Social Science a Textbook in History for Class IX as per New Syllabus - FK Publications". Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  57. ↑ Priyanka Dasgupta (13 September 2011). "Vidya Balan inspires Rituparna Sengupta?". The Times of India. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  58. 1 2 "Rocked the body chain yet?". The Times of India. 19 June 2015. Archived from the original on 2 September 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  59. ↑ Novia McDonald-Whyte (12 August 2002). "Unfolding the Indian Sari". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 14 January 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  60. ↑ Sowmya Rajendran (16 June 2017). "Sai Pallavi's debut in Telugu and Tamil: Here's some 'real beauty' coming our way". TheNewsMinute.com. Archived from the original on 15 February 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  61. ↑ Sowmya Rajendran (28 July 2017). "Shooting the messenger: Why Ileana and Amy slamming Tollywood's navel obsession isn't 'hypocrisy'". www.thenewsminute.com. Archived from the original on 15 February 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  62. ↑ "Ileana D'Cruz: It would be prudish to say 'I don't want to be a prop in a film'". BollywoodLife.com. 27 August 2017. Archived from the original on 16 February 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  63. ↑ "Ileana D'Cruz Seconds Taapsee Pannu's Comment On South's Midriff Obssession [sic] With Her Own Experience". India.com. Archived from the original on 15 February 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  64. ↑ "Objectification Of Women Is Not Just An Issue In South But In Bollywood Too, Says Ileana D'cruz". Indiatimes.com. 26 August 2017. Archived from the original on 15 February 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  65. ↑ Iyengar, Anusha (28 January 2019). "Chinmayi Sripaada gives it back to a fan who asks her to wear a saree while performing - check her tweet here". Times Now. Archived from the original on 28 January 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  66. ↑ Vara, Rachel. "What's With Indian Men And The Navel Fetish?". Mogul. Archived from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  67. ↑ Devan, Amy (26 October 2015). "Sari Gone West: 4 Innovative Ways to Style a Classic". india.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  68. ↑ Manlow, Veronica (2009). Designing Clothes: Culture and Organization of the Fashion Industry. Transaction Publishers. p. 53. ISBN 978-1-4128-1055-5. Retrieved 9 December 2015. Recently we've seen an emphasis in women's clothing on the hips and abdomen—low rise pants, halter tops, and even rings and jewels for the navel.
  69. ↑ Prelli, Lawrence J. (2006). Rhetorics of Display. University of South Carolina Press. p. 327. ISBN 978-1-57003-619-4.
  70. ↑ Condra, Jill (2008). The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Clothing Through World History: 1801 to the present. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 224. ISBN 978-0-313-33665-2.
  71. ↑ Sigler Dagnan, Cindy (16 August 2008). "Guest column: What happened to modesty?". The Joplin Globe. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
  72. ↑ Kaura, Neha (20 May 2012). "Piercings make a fashion statement". The Times of India. Retrieved 25 May 2012.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  73. ↑ "Belly Chains are Very Popular Among Girls". daiira.com. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  74. ↑ "21 Hip Piercing Pictures with Information". piercingmodels.com. Archived from the original on 7 June 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  75. ↑ Neena, Veena Bidasha (2006). The Way of the Belly: 8 Essential Secrets of Beauty, Sensuality, Health, Happiness, and Outrageous Fun (Illustrated ed.). Hay House, Inc. ISBN 978-1-4019-0615-3. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  76. ↑ Shilpa, Sebastian R. (28 March 2016). "Work that belly flat". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 December 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  77. ↑ Shilpa, Sebastian R. (24 March 2016). "Celebrating the woman". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 December 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
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