Sissies and Little Girls

A

Adventurer

Guest
For a majority of ABDLs, their interests involve wanting to wear diapers or temporarily regress to a childlike or infantile state [1]. A subset of ABDLs find themselves drawn specifically to feminine trappings. They may wish to play at being an infant, but take on the specific role of a little girl, even if they are male themselves. They may wish to be dressed in frilly dresses and stockings in addition to their diapers.

These are two subcategories of this part of the ABDL community: little girls (LGs) and sissies. Although on the surface they may appear to be one and the same - both like diapers and dresses, after all - they are actually two distinct groups with very different motivations.



Getting to Know Little Girls and Sissies


What is an LG?

Little girls are adult babies or ageplayers who take on a female identity when they regress. They enjoy roleplaying as little girls of all ages, from babyhood to the teenage years. Although the majority are male, there are female LGs as well.

LGs may enjoy more female-specific activities than ABs such as wearing dresses and other pieces of girls' clothing, having their hair or nails done, playing with dolls, or watching TV shows intended for little girls. These are just a few examples; as with ABs, the possibilities are almost endless. The defining characteristic of LGs is they take on female identities when they regress, regardless of their adult identities.


What is a Sissy?

Sissies, like LGs, enjoy wearing female clothing. However, they do not typically regress while dressed up, but maintain their adult mindset. They might enjoy the embarrassment of wearing girls' clothing or the fact that they are subverting gender norms, but they do not return to a child's mindset during their activities. Diapers are usually involved with sissy play; dresses, plastic panties, other articles of girls' clothing, and possibly bondage equipment may also be incorporated [3]. The key distinction is that while a sissy will cross-dress, they maintain their adult, usually male, identity.



Why Might Someone be a Little Girl?


A Desire to Reach a State of Innocence and Beauty

Little girls are often seen as an archetype of innocence [4]. In the collective mindset of society, young girls represent a powerful image of being free of the ugliness and challenges of the world. They embrace everybody, always have a reason to smile, and find joy in picking flowers and playing on the swings. Childhood in general is often envisioned this way, but while boys are often seen as being more rowdy or energetic, girls are perceived as being loving and gentle. They're "Sugar, spice, and everything nice," versus the "Snips and snails and puppy dogs' tails" represented by boys.

It's worth noting that these distinctions are fairly flimsy in real life. As any adult who has spent time with children can attest, real little girls are far from angels much of the time! The image of little girls as innocent and kind is largely constructed from our culture. Even a quick glance at movies and television shows for girls, or reading books for girls, consistently presents a picture of girlhood as more emotional, more sensitive, and more innocent than it actually is. Well-known examples include Alice from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Ramona Quimby from Beverly Cleary's Ramona books, the television showStrawberry Shortcake, and virtually every Disney Princess.

Yet while this picture is grounded in stereotypes, it holds appeal for many adults. They want to break free of a world that is often cruel and ugly. And the imagined state of girlhood is an inviting break from this world. Thus, if someone has regressive tendencies to begin with, a powerful motivation for being an LG is present. For many LGs, a return to kindness and innocence is a major reason for their LG interests.


A Need to Show Emotional Vulnerability

Again, consider the stereotypes of girlhood and boyhood. What's the response to a child who is upset or crying? For many boys, the response is a pat on the back, or an admonition to "suck it up!" ironically, perhaps with the term "sissy" often given to a boy who cries too much. Girls, on the other hand, are often expected to show tears, or be more vulnerable. It's okay for a young girl to be distraught, crying in the arms of a caretaker. For an adult, this display of weakness would almost never be considered acceptable.

Thus, being an LG is an opportunity to release difficult emotions - necessary for one's mental well-being - without the barriers brought on by one's adult or male identity. Again, this does assume a somewhat stereotypical view of masculinity and femininity, but there is some truth in terms of how children versus adults, and males versus females, are expected to express emotions [5].


Enjoyment of Childhood Activities Considered "Feminine"

LGs sometimes state that, as children, they either enjoyed more feminine activities and toys, or wished they could have them. They enjoyed playing games such as "House", playing with dolls or using their action figures to create more family-based scenarios, or enjoyed playing "dress-up", perhaps even in their mother or sister's old clothes. As a result, feminine activities carry fond childhood memories, and they take on an LG identity to experience those memories again. Some LGs have been bullied for these activities, and want to enjoy them in an identity where it's safe to do so.


As an Aspect of a Female Identity

Although no statistically valid survey of the LG community has ever been done, there appears to be a high proportion of male-to-female transsexuals, people who are biologically male but identify themselves as female, among those who identify as LGs. In light of this, it is possible that being an LG could be part of larger questions about one's gender.

This isn't necessarily the case. There are both cisgendered male LGs and biologically female LGs. It also appears as though the gender identity of a person's adult self and "little self" can be different. Therefore, the fact that one takes on a female identity while regressing does not change their adult gender identity. A cisgendered male LG need not worry that he may be transexual if he is happy as an adult man.



Why Might Someone be a Sissy?


As a Means of Degradation or Humiliation in a Safe Context

For many sissies, the attraction to dressing up like baby girls is the humiliation involved. For a grown man, there are few things more humiliating than being caught wearing a diaper and a frilly dress. There is a powerful stigma for men against appearing either feminine or childish. To be caught deliberately embracing both identities would be absolutely devastating for most men, and it's this sort of humiliation that many sissies seek after.

Humiliation actually represents a fairly common sexual fetish - it is an aspect of masochism [6]. A lot of different activities can sought out to achieve embarrassment, and sissy play is definitely one of them. Performed by oneself or with a trusted partner, this can be done in a safe way that won't cause one to be publicly ridiculed and face reprisal.


As a Desire to be Dominated or Feminized

The loss of control over themselves can be a strong motivator for sissies. Some may want a partner to force them into their sissy clothes. In addition to being humiliated, they lose their status, and the responsibilities implicit in that status. The male stereotype is that they are powerful, leaders, and in control. Being forced into sissy clothes completely destroys those perceptions, reducing them to a little infant with no power or control [7].

The enjoyment of this power exchange may be sexual, as with the humiliation fetish. However, it may also function as a sort of stress relief. To be forcibly removed from one's role also strips away the expectations associated with that role. In a way, it's a sort of escapism, a temporary relief from the stresses of adult life through being forced to surrender one's identity.


As a Way to Escape Traditional Gender Roles

This has been hinted at by the first two reasons; a sissy may desire to give up the power and status specifically implied by masculinity. For some, being a sissy is more explicitly about rebelling against gender norms. Some people find happiness in deliberately breaking the "rules" of gender - like being a man in a dress, for example. Being a sissy can be a powerful way to accomplish this [8]. Overall, there is a strong element of subverting gender norms present in being a sissy - whether for stress relief, sexual desire, or a simple means of self-expression.


As Part of a Sexual Attraction to Cross-Dressing

Transvestic fetishism - attraction to the opposite sex's clothes - is a relatively common sexual fetish. This, combined with the attraction to diapers many diaper lovers have, may be the foundation of one's sissy identity. As with most clothing fetishes, this is safe and acceptable when practiced between two consenting adults.



Issues Facing LGs and Sissies


Finally, it is important to consider some of the major issues facing LGs and sissies. Like other AB/DLs, they face a range of questions and misconceptions, including some which are unique to these interests.


If a Man is an LG or a Sissy, How Does that Affect His Masculine Identity?

Many men who fall into one of these two categories worry about whether they are "really a man" in light of their more feminine roles. The answer is that one's adult gender identity is separate from one's little identity.

Being an LG affects the identity a man takes on when he regresses, rather than when he's an adult. Adult babies generally have two "personas", which they may call their "adult side" and their "little side". They will only present their adult side in public, typically. In the case of cisgendered male LGs, their "adult side" is male. They embrace their male identity and present to the world as male. It's their "little side" that has a female identity. This is a side they only bring out in private, alone or with a trusted partner. However, they still present to the world as male. One way of thinking of it is that a male LG is a man whose inner child is a girl. He is completely male as an adult, and need not worry about being "less of a man" for his LG identity.

In the case of sissies, they are still male adults, who happen to have an interest in baby clothing. They might have this interest for sexual, stress-related, or expressive reasons. However, this does not make them female. It means they have an interest in women's clothing. A man can have any number of interests and hobbies, and still be thought of as masculine. Just because his interest is in women's clothing doesn't change that fact. One's masculine identity should not be based on clothes, but on their own biology and perception of being male. Sissies often love to rattle the stereotypes of manhood anyway; it takes real confidence in one's masculinity to pull that off!

Further discussion of what constitutes an integrated male identity in light of AB/DL can be found at [9], and could be helpful for sissies or LGs questioning their masculine identities.


Are LGs and Sissies Connected to Real Children?

This is a common question for all AB/DLs, and the answer is no. LGs want to pretend to be children. Sissies want to be dressed as children while maintaining their adult identities. Neither of these have the slightest connection to doing anything with actual children; ABDL, sissy and LG interests are completely independent interests from such. If someone is involving children in any sort of AB/DL play, including sissy or LG play, authorities should be contacted immediately.


Do Either of These Identities Inhibit One's Adult Role?

Neither one should. AB/DLs should recognize that they're still adults, and need to embrace adult responsibilities, practicing their AB/DL interests in moderation. Sissies and LGs are the same way; if their activities are cutting into their ability to handle adult life, they need to be moderated. If practiced in a balanced manner, they can be healthy, self-affirming parts of one's life as well.

Sissies and LGs face particular challenges as AB/DLs. Hopefully, by understanding where their feelings come from, they will be able to embrace their identities and discover the happiness that comes from letting their "frilly side" out.



References

1. What is Infantilism?
2 .For an example, see GirlTalk: An Explanation!
3. Young Girls in Horror
4. For an example, see AB/DL Survey #1 - Joys
5. Stereotyping
6. www.dsm5.org/Research/Documents/Krueger_ASB Feb 2011.pdf
7. Mapping Paraphilic Infantilism and Diaper Fetishes
8. AB/DL Survey #2 Part 2 Results
9. http://www.adisc.org/forum/content/239-abdl-male-self.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Like
  • Love
  • Wow
Reactions: PrincessOphelie, KBoy, MunchyDK and 23 others
Wow, that is some of the best information I have seen. Coming from that side of the AB world in my early years I really appreciate the time taken to explain so that others can understand better.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Deleted member 57387 and Flopsy
Well written and very informative. THANK YOU!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Deleted member 57387 and Flopsy
Um I'm a sissy and go into little space when in outfits. I don't think you can use blanket diffenitions for a lot of this stuff. Sissies tend to be males that yes ether enjoy wearing girly stuff and being littled by a person,. But some do and do not go into little space while wearing all this.
 
  • Like
Reactions: babybenji, BobbiSueEllen and Flopsy
Wow this was helpful for me thank you
 
  • Like
Reactions: Deleted member 57387 and Flopsy
Just two words : thank you!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Deleted member 57387 and Flopsy
Thanks for compiling these things as well. Being a sissy is not something that is simple. There are multiple reasons for this and it is not the same for each person. And even within a single person, there are different reasons perhaps at different times.

I think the information you provided is very helpful.

I suggest to the moderators of making this a sticky thread or putting this in the articles section as it is very helpful and insightful.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Deleted member 61164, 2012Stroke and Flopsy
.....deep!
 
This is a really wonderful analysis! Congrats Matilda! 🥰🥰🥰
 
  • Like
Reactions: Deleted member 57387
Thank you so much for under standing I'm 50 have a small business recently split with my wife I have two lovely daughters I am really a sissy baby I'm 18months old during lock down my wife seen me in my nappy white tights pink patent Mary Janes pink frilly dress blonde wig pink dummy she walked in on my work place at home I was in a wet nappy I think she thought it was a joke I'm usually manly she was dressed for work black leather skirt heels blouse I just crawled after her and said googoo I told her I'm a sissy baby she called me a pervert I showed her my nappy & dresses she was laughing so hard but now I stay alone my ex wife texts me taunts I live alone now in cumbernauld being a good little baby girl I wank to think of my baby self crawling to my wife &my daughter's as there baby my girls are 17/19 I can't stop thinking of them changing my nappy as I goo goo in mittens and rattle xx
 
  • Like
Reactions: KBoy and Flopsy
I agree, that's a really good exposiition! Very scholarly, and helpful.

I also think it's right that people often don't fit neatly into categories. I'm a transgendered lbaby girl, very definitely, but there are other strands mixed in, eg. clothing fetishism. And I live as a man in adult life, although my core identity is female.

I reckon it is the same with non-ABDL transgender - the distinctions aren't always that clear, there can be a sexuality about regarding oneself as female for instance. It's really important, because if at the root of it your reason for regarding yourself as really the other gender is a sexual one, if you actually fully transition to that gender, it might not really be what you want.. And then again, some degree of sexually enjoying being who you are is an important ingredient of identity anyway!

What you say about real little girls and little boys not conforming to gender stereotypes is absolutely right. But lots of little girls are drawn to the stereotypically girls' things, pink and dolls and cuteness and glitter! it's a powerful force. Perhaps it's to do with finding indentity. There is a kind of women's right thinking that scoffs at those things, but I think it's great myself. Much nicer than fighting and vehicles.

On the reasons - I think we don't need to have any reason at all, we can just be transgendered. But if I was looking for reasons, I could find lots in my own life. My parents wanted a girl, especially my dad. They had three boys, I was the second. Then they gave up and adopted a girl. Then they accidentally had another boy! I really believe that their girl thought forms moulded me when I was in the womb.
I also had very negative experiences of masculinity in my childhood..

Anyway, it's a long subject! And an interesting one.
Thanks again,
Flopsy Xxx
 
  • Like
Reactions: Deleted member 57387
There are differences in my perspective of it all: being a sissy toddler girl, I prefer being solo in this; just independent, content and able, just like Sue Ellen Armstrong of Arthur. I don't at all enjoy humiliation or being dominated; some do, just not me (but I do love getting spanked when an opportunity arises, LOL..."don't do the battle if ya can't face the paddle!"). This life I live is my expression after decades of being cubbyforced into masculinity just because I 'appear' male and have the plumbing...and failing because I didn't go along with it.

The deal is, I always played better around girls, felt more accepted. Over time, I got burned out on being cubbyforced by males, learned to hate feeling as though it was my 'destiny' to be a regretless, crude, aggressive 'man' (a word I came to detest)...so I denied my forced role and went agender.

Then I discovered Adult Toddler dresses, how so comfy they are...not much frill, simple, clean and with conservative pink/purple themes. Then I decided to dress like my hero, Sue Ellen, and assembled that outfit. That girl knows how to dress for comfort and action!

I just love being to myself, cuddling teddy bears, drinking bottles, enjoying pacifiers, talking with y'all...hoping my someday gets here soon so I can live as the all-out sweet toddler girl I yearn to be...diapers and all. When I get my home, I'd love to have diaper friends over...but no head games, dom/sub stuff or all that. Just good, happy companionship visits, playing with bears, dolls, toys. Sharing a meal, enjoying life: who we are, what we've become.

I guess I have a nonconventional approach to sissy/littlehood. But I'm happy with it. Even though I have a "tickle-tube", I don't mind that. I love what it does but I will never ascribe to it the symbolic value that the rest of the world has...I just wish the world would forget about me and let me be my happy, sweet, at-peace toddler-girl self. Who kinda needs to shave her legs, her diaper area and face. 🤭
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: KBoy, tobebabygirl, 2012Stroke and 5 others
BobbiSueEllen said:
There are differences in my perspective of it all: being a sissy toddler girl, I prefer being solo in this; just independent, content and able, just like Sue Ellen Armstrong of Arthur. I don't at all enjoy humiliation or being dominated; some do, just not me (but I do love getting spanked when an opportunity arises, LOL..."don't do the battle if ya can't face the paddle!"). This life I live is my expression after decades of being cubbyforced into masculinity just because I 'appear' male and have the plumbing...and failing because I didn't go along with it.

The deal is, I always played better around girls, felt more accepted. Over time, I got burned out on being cubbyforced by males, learned to hate feeling as though it was my 'destiny' to be a regretless, crude, aggressive 'man' (a word I came to detest)...so I denied my forced role and went agender.

Then I discovered Adult Toddler dresses, how so comfy they are...not much frill, simple, clean and with conservative pink/purple themes. Then I decided to dress like my hero, Sue Ellen, and assembled that outfit. That girl knows how to dress for comfort and action!

I just love being to myself, cuddling teddy bears, drinking bottles, enjoying pacifiers, talking with y'all...hoping my someday gets here soon so I can live as the all-out sweet toddler girl I yearn to be...diapers and all. When I get my home, I'd love to have diaper friends over...but no head games, dom/sub stuff or all that. Just good, happy companionship visits, playing with bears, dolls, toys. Sharing a meal, enjoying life: who we are, what we've become.

I guess I have a nonconventional approach to sissy/littlehood. But I'm happy with it. Even though I have a "tickle-tube", I don't mind that. I love what it does but I will never ascribe to it the symbolic value that the rest of the world has...I just wish the world would forget about me and let me be my happy, sweet, at-peace toddler-girl self. Who kinda needs to shave her legs, her diaper area and face. 🤭
 
One day there will be a computer programme where you can just choose the body you want and it will do the rest. Smooth chuibby little legs? Cute turned up nose? No wiggly whatsit taking up space in your pants? Just select from the menu
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mal8, KCA and BobbiSueEllen
Flopsy said:
One day there will be a computer programme where you can just choose the body you want and it will do the rest. Smooth chuibby little legs? Cute turned up nose? No wiggly whatsit taking up space in your pants? Just select from the menu
"Welcome to McBody, where you can truly Have It Your Way. What can I get started for you?" :unsure:🤭
 
Last edited:
  • Haha
  • Like
Reactions: Deleted member 57387, chrischrischris and Flopsy
Flopsy said:
One day there will be a computer programme where you can just choose the body you want and it will do the rest. Smooth chuibby little legs? Cute turned up nose? No wiggly whatsit taking up space in your pants? Just select from the menu
I'm waiting for something like this on the Oculus. Even just an ABDL program would be great.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DL0202, Mal8 and Flopsy
Sound like heaven Flopsy. Having recently watched the Black Mirror episode “Striking Vipers” I’d definitely choose to be Roxette but I’d rather have another woman in place of Lance😂. Not sure where that puts me on the gender spectrum! I really do hope technology can give us something like this before I die! I love diapers as I’m mainly DL (although I’d love to explore the AB potential with the right partner) but I mostly love the way that diapers make me look like I’m female when wearing a onesie, yoga pants or leggings. If only I had the other female anatomy to go with it! Anyone else feel like that?
 
WOW, where do I began? Thank you so much for posting this! Everything you said is very true. When I regress, Katie comes out. She needs to be diapered, wants her doll and pacifier, and LOVES to go barefoot. I have no interest being Katie as an adult. Very good article
 
  • Like
Reactions: Deleted member 57387
Back
Top