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| '''Infantilism''' (paraphilic) is a psychological condition experienced by those whose level of physical maturity has progressed beyond the life-stage of infancy. The defining aspect of this condition is a profound sense of well-being or a great pleasure that becomes associated with various infantile objects and/ or infantile roleplaying. | |||
| Infantilists most likely fall in one of two groups: '''Adult Baby (AB)''', and '''Diaper Lover (DL)'''. Adult Babies between the ages of twelve and twenty may also label themselves Teen Babies (TBs). But, while ABs and DLs tend to associate with each other (forming a collective group known as '''ABDL'''s), it would be accurate to state that DLs are not necessarily infantilists. The distinction is made that while there is a sexual component to wearing a diaper for a DL, the diaper is not always seen as a symbol of regressing to an infantile state. | |||
| <!--Removed "Clarification" section. | |||
| The first words in article are "Infantilism paraphilic", thus we don't need to say it again. --> | |||
| <!-- Removed "Infantilism in young children" section. | |||
| Second word in article is paraphilic, which this section did not describe. --> | |||
| === A common object of fixation === | |||
| Perhaps the most common object of fixation amongst infantilists is the diaper. Most infantilists feel drawn to wear and/or use diapers. The frequency of wearing and/or use ranges from once a year to continuously, varying from individual to individual, and often varying within the same individual from year to year. | |||
| == Some infantilist lifestyles == | |||
| Infantilists usually combine the submission of the baby role with the ] of ], though not all infantilists practice ] or ]. DLs, for example, enjoy wearing diapers without taking the role of an infant, while ABs often prefer such roleplay. Where dominance and submission are involved, the ] or ] plays the role of a parent, caretaker, nursemaid, or babysitter. Some infantilists are also ], and are generally referred to as . | |||
| Some forms of infantilism are purely regressive, without any sexual content. After an individual has reached full maturity, including a fully independent living situation, as well as stabilized in his or her long term sexual role in society, most infantilists report having incorporated certain aspects of sexuality into their infantilism. Though some infantilists have reported not doing so, most adult infantilists agree that their practice of infantilism has had a profound effect on their sexuality, if not having been a direct part of it. | |||
| === Some infantilists' experiments with "adoption" === | |||
| Some infantilists have a fantasy or goal of finding a "mommy" or "daddy" to keep them as babies 24/7, or for the rest of their lives. Such "adoptions" are normally facilitated through the Internet on websites which function much like dating sites. There are message/notice boards with a header and/or a picture and message text describing the person. "Adoption" in the ABDL community does not usually mean singles searching for one another, but can include this. Other less common advertisements feature couples or groups looking for an AB, or an AB looking for either of the two, or other ABs. These types of living situations sometimes develop into lasting friendships and, in addition to infantilism, usually include all of the regular dynamics found in other types of interpersonal relationship. | |||
| These types of living situations that attempt to create a 24/7 permanent regression generally last anywhere from a few weeks to two or three years. To date, no cases have been reliably reported of such arrangements lasting longer than this period. (Some fictional cases have been claimed, but these have never stood up to further investigation.) Eventually this type of an arrangement seems to prove to be too much of a financial drain on the "caregiver(s)" and the novelty of it wears off for both the caregiver(s) and the infantilist. Other living arrangements are then made, possibly including a continuation but with a reduction of the periods of regression. On occasion, enactments of this fantasy have received wide publicity and press. | |||
| === Older infantilists' reaching of equilibrium === | |||
| The majority of adult infantilists, after some time, usually reach a state of some type of equilibrium with their infantilist practice. In the majority of cases, this entails job stability, and usually a living situation that is some sort of a compromise between infantilism and normality. | |||
| == The psychology of infantilism == | |||
| <!-- === Psychological perspectives on infantilism ===--> | |||
| In adult ] and sexuality, infantilism is usually regarded as a type of ] and often viewed as a variation of ]. In this variation, the person takes on one or more aspects of the role of a ]. It is a subset of ] and often regarded as ]. | |||
| Infantilism is sometimes acknowledged as an extension of regression, a defence mechanism in which individuals reduce anxiety with an immature reaction. Regardless, this is one of many overly-generalized theories on what infantilism is, none of which stand up to further research. | |||
| <!-- This entire section is O.R. | |||
| === Some commonly experienced inner dynamics === | |||
| ==== The binge-purge cycle phenomenon ==== | |||
| One interesting aspect of this tension that many infantilists have experienced, usually during the earlier stages of their infantilism, is the binge-purge cycle. Quite often, an infantilist who has only recently begun to discover his or her infantilist desire, will find him or herself going through cycles of buying several infantilist things, using some of them, then taking a vow to one's self never to repeat this. The person then bravely disposes of all of his or her paraphernalia, only to find that after a certain period of ever increasing inner tension the individual once again goes online or to the store and buys all of these things back again, at significant duplicated expense. This sad cycle has been known to happen to some individuals 10, twenty or even thirty times. Eventually it dawns in the individual's mind that demonstrating one's physical ability to dispose of all of one's paraphernalia will in no way result in creating one's mental ability to rid one's self of the desires. | |||
| ==== A fantasy of permanent regression ==== | |||
| During the early stages of infantilism, many infantilists report having the fantasy that somehow they might be able to achieve a living situation in which ‘permanent regression’ would be possible. In other words, the fantasy that somehow they could find others who would be willing to provide them with all of the physical necessities of life, in addition to treating them as a baby, for the rest of their lives. Clearly, this fantasy is impractical at first consideration, and ultimately irrational. In the vast majority of cases, after some deliberation, the impractical nature of this fantasy is eventually recognized and accepted by an infantilist, and some more practical means of finding some sort of a working compromise in one’s lifestyle is eventually found. In some extreme cases, this impractical fantasy is pursued to some extent. | |||
| ==== A conscious vs: subconscious tension ==== | |||
| Amongst infantilists, the attitude that an infantilist may take towards his or her infantilistic desires often varies considerably from individual to individual. Many life-long infantilists report no longer having any qualms whatsoever about integrating their regressive roleplay into the larger set of behaviors that defines their overall lifestyle. Others report a persistent tension or conflict between their desire to regress, and their desire to be ‘normal’. Some report feeling this persistent tension for the entirety of their lives on through to retirement and old age. Very few report ever being able to succeed in completely alleviating the desire for any meaningful length of time. | |||
| ==== A release of stress and tension (similar to the release of sexual tension) ==== | |||
| Most infantilists report experiencing a great release of emotional stress and tension when they assume the infantilist role, as well as feelings of great inner security and contentment. These feelings are nearly identical to those feelings reported by most as a result of engaging in normal sexual relations. These feelings may harken back to feelings experienced during infancy or early childhood. | |||
| ==== An eventual development of some form of acceptance ==== | |||
| The experience of the Binge-Purge Cycle is somewhat similar to what many homosexuals have reported, after the initial discovery of their sexual orientations. In both cases, after a certain period of some inner conflict, most eventually learn to accept these subconscious traits in one way or another, rather than to attempt, unsuccessfully, to root them out. After some time, most infantilists eventually reach a certain type of a '''practical compromise''' in their lives, that enables them to both live a relatively normal life, while still indulging their infantilistic desires to a certain extent. | |||
| ==== Infantilism and gender switch roleplaying ==== | |||
| A significant minority of male ABs like to switch gender as a part of their regressive roleplay. This type of gender-switch-roleplaying shares some similarities with ]. As with transvestism, the gender role that an AB (boy or girl) assumes while roleplaying seldom affects the gender identity of that same individual outside of roleplaying. Another role that is sometimes assumed by some ABs while engaged in regressive roleplaying is that of the ] or ]. There is some confusion as to whether or not this indicates that the individual is indeed a bisexual or homosexual person. As with other types of regressive-gender-switch-roleplaying, | |||
| the majority of these individuals usually do not exhibit any significant homosexual or bisexual behavior patterns while outside of regressive roleplaying. | |||
| ==== Sissy babies ==== | |||
| Some AB's who engage in regressive-gender-switch-roleplaying like to be referred to simply as a ''girl baby'' or a ''boy baby'', others prefer to be called ''sissy babies''. Various types of shaming, punishment, discipline, and crossdressing often accompany regressive-gender-switch-roleplaying. | |||
| ==== Castration/SRS ==== | |||
| Even more rare, some ABs wish to have ], or to be ]. Although this wish exists only as a fantasy for most of those who have the wish, for a few it has been made a reality. Those few who have had sex reassignment surgery or been castrated usually fall into one or more of the following three categories. | |||
| 1. They hope to live out their lives as a woman/baby girl in reality. | |||
| 2. They hope the SRS/castration surgery will enhance the experience of being a sissy baby, and/ or of being more submissive. | |||
| 3. They hope to rid themselves of the practice of infantilism entirely, which has not yet been found to work. | |||
| --> | |||
| <!-- Removed "Academic researchers and case study submissions invited" section. | |||
| Inaapropiate to solicit contact within an article, maintian encyclopedic tone please. | |||
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| == Impact and ramifications == | |||
| Infantilism is found in nearly all age groups. Most adult infantilists practice infantilism with great discretion, but, in some extremely rare cases, have made attempts to enter the regressive role for an extended period of time, sometimes permanently. In a great majority of individuals, the practice of infantilism is carried out in strict privacy, and in ways that do not conflict with the individual's ability to earn a normal livelihood. Many practicing infantilists have managed to marry, raise a family, and lead a successful career, but some others find divorce and social stigma as a result. | |||
| == Subsets... == | |||
| === ...based on age, ("TBs" and "ABs") === | |||
| Infantilism practitioners usually divide themselves between ''teen babies'' (or '''TBs'''), who begin to practice infantilism between the ages of twelve to twenty, and ''adult babies'' (or '''ABs'''), who either begin to or continue to practice infantilism at higher ages. For legal reasons adults are limited from discussing sexual aspects with minors, and online communities therefore seek to separate them. Both enjoy shedding the hardships of life and regressing to an earlier time. | |||
| === ...based on ageplay, ("DLs" and "ABs") === | |||
| Diaper wearing, for some adults, is a sexual fetish that does not always incorporate the desire to regress in any other way. In such cases, those adults often prefer to be referred to as ''diaper lovers'' ('''DLs'''). In fact, some who employ diapers only for the purpose of sexual gratification find themselves to be quite surprised when classified together with others who are far more involved in the practice. Likewise, those who, in their practice of infantilism, incorporate strong elements of the desire to otherwise regress often refer to themselves as ''adult babies'' ('''ABs'''), instead of DLs. | |||
| === ...based on gender, ("little girls" and "sissy babies") === | |||
| <!-- These two subsets compare roleplaying as a girl specifically to roleplaying a baby, so requires its own section. Also, as no proper abbreviation exists for either term, it must be spelled out. | |||
| --> | |||
| Two subsets worth mentioning are ''little girls'' and ''sissy babies''. They are similar in that the participant likes to be treated as a young girl. For ''little girls'' the participant is usually female, and is treated as younger than their actual age (often being put into diapers as a punishment) Though the age of behavior may fluctuate, even within an individual, many do not consider themselves to be true ABs, but may still have "accidents" and incorporate diapers into their ageplay. This is compounded by her "Daddy", commonly a boyfriend or husband (who typically assume dominant roles anyway), often "forcing" regression to a younger age than is typical of the participant. | |||
| ''Sissy babies'' are more often male (though some women also enjoy this role). For many, the role provides the opportunity to explore the clothing and behavior patterns they associate with "girly" girls. This commonly means excesses of pink, lace, ribbon, lisped accents, dolls, dresses, and other tokens of supposed femininity. This group is more commonly (but again not exclusively) ABs. For some the process of "sissification" can include roleplaying a male role from which they are "transformed" into a baby girl as punishment for misbehavior or having accidents. For others the role starts as and remains constantly one of a young or baby girl. | |||
| Undoubtedly, the extent and nature of infantilism varies between each individual, and has no black-and-white definitions. | |||
| == Infantilism and privacy == | |||
| === Infantilism and privacy for adult infantilists === | |||
| For some individuals, it is difficult to discuss one’s private desires with most others, especially when such desires are as uncommon as infantilism. For adult infantilists who have ‘significant others’, the policy of honesty would seem to be the best policy. This is especially true due to the fact that there are certain areas of overlap between infantilism and sexual intimacy in general, and to attempt to separate these two is not only somewhat dishonest to one’s partner, but also to one’s self. This is not to say that one's partner should necessarily be required to hear about all of the details. Only to say that one's partner ought to know that he or she has access to as much information as he or she wants to know, or is comfortable knowing, regarding the practice. | |||
| In many cases it has been reported that the children of infantilists, being as naturally inquisitive and nosey as children are, eventually find out about the fact that one of their parents occasionally wears diapers. In such cases, it may be wise to allow the child to know only as much as he or she needs to know, in other words, explaining something like ‘Yes, daddy does have a certain ‘condition’ that makes him have to wear diapers,’ but explaining no more, should the question ever arise. To expose a child to any more than this, is believed to have potentially harmful ramifications for the child, and may even be regarded by some as a form of willful neglect or even abuse of a child. | |||
| Some couples that incorporate infantilism into their relationship deliberately choose not to have children, in consideration of their view that they may not be capable of providing an environment for a child where the child could develop 'normally'. Others report successfully raising their children without their children ever being affected by, or knowing, the full extent of their practice of it. | |||
| Within the infantilist community there are many who believe that as with homosexuality, it is best to ‘out’ infantilism, or to bring infantilist individuals 'out' into public scrutiny so that the public can be made more aware of infantilism (and eventually more tolerant of it). These people are an increasing majority within the infantilist community. | |||
| Fortunately, due to the existence of the Internet, many infantilists have found that they can retain a sufficient level of privacy, while still discussing certain aspects of the practice with other infantilists in various internet forums and bulletin boards. | |||
| === Health problems === | |||
| ABs and DLs are sometimes known to deliberately seek, or incidentally undergo, loss of bowel control or ]. While they may accept these conditions willingly and not consider them health problems, there are associated risks. The loss of bowel control can lead to infections in the area or third party infections inflicted onto a partner or bystanders. In urinary and bowel loss, diaper rash can be a common ailment. This also can reduce privacy as diapers are needed in public as well. | |||
| == Some interpersonal relationships that incorporate infantilism == | |||
| Many interpersonal relationships that incorporate infantilism are between friends that have this common interest. Some infantilists form long lasting interpersonal relationships with a (professional) nanny who accepts payment to take care of the infantilist for an agreed period of time. Some have then even reported that such a nanny has eventually become the long term Significant Other of the infantilist. Another common type of interpersonal relationship that incorporates infantilism is the standard husband and wife marital relationship. | |||
| Other possible combinations are the ‘wife’ and ‘wife’ relationship which usually incorporates homosexuality, the ‘husband’ and ‘husband’ relationship which also usually incorporates homosexuality, or various threesome relationships where one may play the infantilist role more than the other two. | |||
| Generally, amongst younger adult infantilists, the most common type of interpersonal relationship that incorporates infantilism seems to be between two or more infantilists. Amongst older adult infantilists, the most common type of relationship that incorporates infantilism seems to be some form of a marital relationship. | |||
| == The significant others (SOs) of infantilists == | |||
| Many infantilists report having found very nurturing and caring partners, who have supported them and continue to support them in varying ways. In the case of marriage, some spouses participate in role playing, others do not. The nature of the initial informing about, or discovery of, the existence infantilism often sets the tone for the remainder of the relationship. | |||
| == See also == | |||
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| == External links == | |||
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