About "adult babies" and "littles"

[HappyAsAGrownup]

I've recently found out someone I know well has been attending events for people who identify as "littles" - ie adults who roleplay being babies, toddlers, or children up to and including teenagers. Apparently activities include crafts and colouring, being read popular children's books at 'story time' amongst others.

This is not something I know much about although I'm familiar with adult kinks and fetishes, and while most of that stuff is just not for me, I tend to think that what people do in private is their business as long as it's consensual and doesn't hurt anyone.

But this adult baby and "littles" stuff is giving me the ick, especially as some of these events are part of much bigger bdsm/ fetish party events where the wider focus is on sexual and erotic themes. I'm thinking even if the 'regular' participants aren't actually having sex, their activities are somewhat sex-adjacent, and I'm really confused about people roleplaying as children being in this environment.

I thought I'd try and educate myself a bit (in case I'd got it horribly wrong, and so I could form a more informed opinion) but the blogs and websites i found (a lot of the resources appeared to be on closed forums which I didn't wish to join) have continued to make me feel uneasy about people roleplaying as children doing so in a sexually focussed environment.

YABU - stop clutching your pearls, adults in giant onesies and custom giant reusable nappies are fine in a bdsm/ fetish club

YANBU - this is weird AF

NB this person does not have any contact with any actual children in my life ever, nor indeed any children at all on a day-to-day basis AFAIK

There are far more constructive ways of responding to unmet needs, for example, therapy to help actually process it, deal with it and move on in a healthy way.

Christ

There's nothing sexually appealing about children or childhood.

Nothing sexual happens eh?

Think we might have to bring back those 90s classics like chinny reckon and duh.

I foresee a nasty accident befalling someone
🤞

Well, my massively unfashionable opinion on this is that it's pretty pathetic being so driven by our base lust that we go to such lengths to satisfy it. I'm all for consenting adults being entitled to do what they want in their own bedrooms but I am so sick of everything being sexualised all the time. Really? Are people so basic that sex overrides dignity?

Why in the world would you even tell someone this is what you’re into? Madness

How did you find out OP?

Exactly. It's grim, and it's what worries me about all this 'not your kink, not your lane' malarkey. The idea that nobody should ever 'kink shame' someone, no matter how bizarre or disturbing the practice, is literally conditioning people to squash the feelings of unease one gets when you notice a genuine red flag. Not just squash the unease, but actually feel shame yourself for quite natural reactions. When nobody feels comfortable FEELING concern any more, let alone voicing it, that's when really bad things happen.

Getting sexually aroused by dressing up as a baby/toddler/child is extremely concerning and it's completely natural to feel repulsed and upset by it. Enjoying 'childish' things is completely different- I had a very difficult childhood and get a lot of enjoyment from reading children's books, sitting and colouring, etc etc with my son. I find it healing, like I'm able to experience all these things in a purer way without all the stress of being in the environment where I grew up. But the difference is I don't get turned on by it.

Honestly, I think any time where the ideas of 'kids' and 'sex' are allowed to mix, even when there aren't actual kids involved, is EXTREMELY dangerous and blurs boundaries that should be absolutely rock solid.

Not when the person is happy with how they cope with things.
In my friend's case, he just wants to be cared for. I am not sure if it is related, but he spends a lot of time in hospital for various health conditions and has nearly died several times.

In my friend's case, he just wants to be cared for

This need can and should be delivered in many ways that don't involve regressing to a baby. He needs extensive therapy.

Why? He is not harming anyone.

@XenoBitch

Because he's a bloody pervert?

Correct. So it is time to loudly push back.

Women especially need to wake the fuck up to what is happening right in front of them.

Who cares if they call you hysterical or Karen or any other words designed to shut you up? Think about WHY they want you to shut up. WHO are you protecting? Who should you be protecting?

Some kinks should be shamed, because some kinks are shameful.

Pretending you are a baby or are having sex with a baby, I mean come on. How fucking stupid do you have to be to think that is in anyway acceptable or normal? NO.

As long as someone's a pervert in private and doesn't harass others, who gives a shit? Let them be as pervy as they want in their own homes as long as they're not breaking the law.

Push back against what, though? Consenting adults enjoying whatever they enjoy in private or at dedicated events?

I don't think the govt should be interfering with what's acceptable sexually between consenting adults as long as noone is coming to harm. Even if it is fucking odd.

Couldn’t give a monkeys about kink shaming - this is gross AF.

I agree completely! Women need to stop ignoring our instincts. When the voice inside us says "This isn't right" we need to speak out. Instead of worrying that we'll be labelled old fashioned, hysterical or bigoted.

Part of me thinks that you can do what you like if you are all consenting adults etc but I do think this is just plain creepy.

If you take that argument to its extreme, you could ask why bother having laws about anything at all, providing its in private? 🤨

I'd argue that sexualising childhood and depictions of childhood is no good for wider society as it affects the most vulnerable - the "consenting adults" reasoning doesn't work in these cases, similar to the wrong 'uns who produce or watch animated pornography that depicts children. Same reason we outlaw other things some people "enjoy", like drug abuse - its the ripple effect on everyone else, as that person chases a more & more extreme dopamine hit.

Who mentioned the government of all things?

"Push back" usually means social denunciation, nothing to do with the government.

You don't need to make something illegal to make it socially unacceptable.

Do you need the Government to tell you everything that is right and wrong? Of course people can do what they like in private. As long as no actual children are involved no laws are needed for private behaviour. Public behaviour can however be moderated by legislation. The majority just need to decide what is acceptable.

But it doesn't need to be supported and encouraged publicly, they don't need to be affirmed and assured that it is all perfectly normal and fine to do this shit. Because it fucking isn't.

Children don't need to see this nonsense reinforced as normal behaviour by the adults around them. Who benefits when that happens? Clue, it isn't the kids.

Get a grip.

Disgusting porn soaked depraved men.

This about sums up the situation.

Of course people can do what they like in private.

Great, so given OP is talking about private behaviour, what's the issue?

But it doesn't need to be supported and encouraged publicly

Who is "supporting and encouraging" this publicly, please? I'm in public and on social media every day and somehow I've never come across any of these cheerleaders. Or indeed ever knowingly come across someone who's into this.

Children don't need to see this nonsense reinforced as normal behaviour

Again, who is trying to teach children that this behaviour is normal?

I think its disgusting and I don't give a fuck about "kink shaming" some things deserve to be shamed