Ageplay or age play is a form of roleplaying in which an individual acts or treats another as if they are a different age. Ageplay is roleplaying between adults, and involves consent from all parties. Ageplay is not necessarily sexual, but can be. Portraying any age can be the goal of ageplay, from babies to a child to the elderly. Usually this involves someone pretending to be younger than they actually are, but more rarely can involve assuming an older role.[1]
Ageplay is a form of roleplay between one or more consenting adults.[2] Ageplay can be non-sexual, sexual, or something in between. Within dominant/submissive relationships, ageplay can enhance power dynamics, and allow a partner to feel more comfortable with their dominance or submission.
Sexual variations may include among other things such as incest play, in which individuals recreate and sexualize roles within a family.[3][4] A common myth is that caregiver dynamics (Caregiver/little, Daddy/little, Mommy/little) all involve ageplay. However, these dynamics are more about caring for one another than re-enacting an incest fantasy.[5] Research shows that there is an interest in this kind of "intergenerational play" that is distinct from incest—or kinship—play.[4]
Ageplay is not associated with pedophilia, nor is it related to any form of sex abuse by professional psychologists.[6] Individuals who engage in ageplay are consenting adults who enjoy imagining or portraying themselves as children, or merely enjoy childlike elements typical of children present in adults.
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Main article: Paraphilic infantilism |
Paraphilic infantilism, colloquially known as "adult baby" play, is a specific form of ageplay which involves one or more consenting adults role-playing an age regression to an infant-like state. "Adult baby" play can be an expression of sexual fetish (or, more accurately, paraphilia) or simply as a non-sexual form of recreational adult role-play.
Behaviors may include things such as wearing childish clothes, wearing or using diapers, cuddling with stuffed animals, drinking from a bottle or sucking on a pacifier, and (when done with others) engaging in gentle and nurturing experiences, baby talk, or BDSM power dynamics involving masochism, coercion, punishment or humiliation. People who participate in paraphilic infantilism are often referred to as "adult babies" or "ABs".
Though distinct, within the kink community paraphilic infantilism is often associated with diaper fetishism under the umbrella term, "adult baby/diaper lover" or "AB/DL".
Some research has aimed to separate ageplay from the pathologized framing of paraphilic infantilism, noting in part that paraphilic infantilism is not listed within the DSM-V.[7] This research also discourages thinking of ageplay as an identity category.
Specific conventions and major events have formed that specifically cater to ageplayers including:
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