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27-02-2008
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#1 (permalink) |
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Lurker
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Redefining Infantilism
I had to write a paper for English 101 at college. We had to define something and make an arguement for it as well as write it towards a specific audience. I wrote it for my boyfriend (who I think could take a message from it) but I also wrote it for all of you. I got the paper back today and it recieved an A much to my surprise.
And now, without further adeu, my paper. __________________________________________________ __________ There was a little girl, but she was not so little. In fact, she was a teenager. But inside she felt like a little girl. She wanted to play with children’s' toys. She wanted to be a child again. Every time she regressed she felt so much relief from the stresses in her life. But she could never tell. Never ever. She was afraid. She was afraid because society said that she had to grow up. She had to grow up and become somebody. She had to be somebody who was mature all the time, somebody who worked a lot. Wanting to become a child was like a step backward. It was going against progress. But this is where it was confusing. She didn't want to be a child all the time. She wanted to be able to be one when she wanted but still be an adult. Time went by and she found her special someone. He gave her kisses and told her he loved her. She loved him too. He listened to her and she listened to him. They were very happy together. But she couldn’t tell him her secret. She couldn’t tell him that she longed to be able to be a child again for just a little while. She wanted to be taken care of and told that everything was going to be okay. Because let’s just face the facts. Not everything is okay and the world can be a cruel place. Life is not without stress and rules. To become a child was to let go of all that and relax. One day she decided to muster up her courage and tell him. She looked him in the eye and said softly, “I am an infantilist. I like to act like a little kid.” Her voice trailed off as he stared at her. “…Please don’t hate me.” Her boyfriend’s face became soft and he smiled. He hugged her close to him and stroked her soft hair. “I’d never hate you. I love you just the way you are.” The girl looked up at him, worried. “But isn’t it freaky? What kind of normal adult likes to be a kid?” Her boyfriend looked at her thoughtfully. “Well, why do you do it?” She looked at him strangely. What did that have to do with her question? “Well... because it helps me feel better. I feel like I can be free.” He smiled one of his warm smiles again. “So, it makes you feel good. It’s better than drugs or drinking. And it’s not hurting anybody. What’s the harm in it?” He was right. There was no harm in it. She was still growing and maturing. She still lived her life and worked towards the future. So what if she wanted to act like a kid once in while? She was okay. *** The bitter truth though is that it isn’t something to strut around in public. You can’t go out in children’s clothes and acting like a kid. Society isn’t kind to those who aren’t what they consider normal. She knew this. So she kept it a secret. Only she and her boyfriend knew. He played with her ever so often as a break from their normal routines. They smiled and laughed as he held her close and they played with her blocks that she kept hidden in her closet on any other day. She giggled as he dressed her in her little girl style clothes. They were happy. He gave to her and she gave back to him. They took trips to bookstores and spent time in the children’s section. They went to the playground and he pushed her on the swings. For a few hours she could relax and let go of all her troubles. It helped her. And that’s what mattered. It didn’t matter what people thought. Right and wrong, good and bad… they’re all perceptions based on values. Values vary between people. Therefore, there is no defined normal. Being an infantilist was okay. She wasn’t a freak. And there were others out there who could understand her. Life was fantastic, as an adult and as a little girl. I am defining infantilism. Not necessarily by describing what it is but what it's not. Infantilists aren't crazed individuals who stay inside all day and live out their fantasies. Many are successful business people. They are lawyers, doctors, and students. They are "normal" in every other aspect of life. They come from all different economic backgrounds. Many statistics say that infantilists are mostly male however, many females are very secretive about it and therefore not an accurately represented group. If you think about it, they're "just like everyone else". In my sociology class we are discussing norms and values and how they are used to describe someone as "deviant". However, deviant tends to have a negative connotation to it. How is infantilism "deviant" you ask? I will explain what it is for the readers of this paper who may not be privy to such information. Infantilism is a very broad category and has been labeled (and mislabeled) in many ways. Plain and simply, there are some people who enjoy regressing to the age of an infant or toddler. Not permanently like some psychologists might say. But perhaps just for a few hours a day, or week, or month. Perhaps they only regress a couple times a year. Some even regress with their partner. Sometimes the partner regresses. Sometimes they play the role of a parent or guardian and care for the other person. A lot of the times their partners don't engage in it at all. Some people regress alone, by themselves. Some go to forums or communities and role play online. And others don't regress at all. Some just like wearing diapers. These people are usually referred to as diaper lovers. Some like to wear diapers and regress. As I said, it's a very broad category. Of course there is the sexual end of the spectrum. Some get a rise from wearing diapers or acting like a baby. Some get a rise from seeing others act that way. But, and I must make this absolutely clear. It is in no way pedophilia. Many people have bashed and slammed infantilists for being pedophiles when it's not true. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Many infantilists are strongly against pedophilia. Ageplay- the role playing aspect- and infantilism are always with consenting adults. There are teenagers who practice infantilism and are accepted in the community as well. But regardless, there is no pedophilia involved whatsoever. Because of these behaviors which many would call "strange", infantilism is considered "deviant" and "wrong". Infantilists are forced to hide themselves from the world and any attempt to reach out is bashed. I don't mean to say that they should "come out" and completely expose themselves but rather to accept themselves and get over the social stigma. It is okay. You are okay. |
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28-02-2008
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#9 (permalink) |
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Regular
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Bravo!!! 100% from me, imagine if you got this published in the National Post, with you annonymous, it would be a huge movement for the *b/dl community in America. It is one of the most popular newspapers in the US so a lot of people would read it, and not only would it create a huge understanding, but also make some people realize that people like this exist. Also you could remain annonymous that way too, bu regardless it was a great paper hun, I loved it.
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