Understanding Infantilism (.org)

AB/DL Survey #2: Diapers and More

The first survey of this series provided information on the community as a whole, and showed a number of facets the community's diversity. However, to keep the first survey from being too long, many topics needed to left for other surveys.

This survey will address the most central of ABDL objects, the diaper, and some peripheral topics. While titled 'Diapers and More,' the 'and more' will be first.

The logical place to start is with birth order. The presence and timing of siblings might affect potty training, which might also affect later interests in diapers and babyhood.

These interests might not develop in isolation. The next two sections will briefly explore masochism and other topics. These might or might not have anything to do with infantilism and diaper fetishes.

The fourth section will try to find out if some aspects of ABDL games, scenes, and fantasies become more important or less important over time. The final section will explore the type of diaper preferred in fantasy and reality.

Please do not skip multiple-choice questions. Unanswered questions will not be treated as having an answer of 'no.' It is OK to skip the fill-in-the-blank questions if you wish.

Answers to this survey are confidential, although answers to the fill-in-the-blank questions may be quoted anonymously. (If you do not wish to be quoted, simply uncheck the 'it is OK to quote from my essay answers anonymously' box at the end of the survey.) Names and email addresses will not be distributed.

For the vision-impaired or for those who are using a screen reader to take this survey, there is a version without tables that might be easier to use.


The Basics

1)Nickname(optional):

2)Email Address(optional):

3)Do you consider yourself to be:
Diaper Lover (DL) only (loves diapers, but no roleplay)
mostly DL but sometimes AB
AB+DL equally
mostly AB but sometimes DL
Adult Baby (AB) only (loves roleplay, generally including diapers)
non-AB/DL ageplayer
non-AB/DL BDSM enthusiast
Other:

For the rest of this survey, 'AB/DL' will be used to refer to those with an interest in diapers and/or babyhood. It will also be used to as an adjective to avoid repeating 'paraphilic infantilism, diaper fetishism, and related interests' often. As you probably know, ABDL stands for Adult Baby and/or Diaper Lover.

4)Are you...
(Please only include gender preference as an adult. Gender preference when roleplaying as a baby or child will be explored later.)
Male
Female
Male Transvestite (dresses as an adult woman)
Male to Female Transsexual
Female Transvestite (dresses as an adult man)
Female to Male Transsexual
Other:

5)What is your sexual orientation?
Heterosexual
Between Heterosexual and Bi, or Bi leaning toward heterosexual
Bisexual
Between Homosexual and Bi, or Bi learning toward homosexual
Homosexual
Solo: Even if I could have my choice of partners, I'd not do it or do it alone.

6)In what year were you born? (YYYY)


Part One - Birth Order

This section looks into the effects of siblings and birth order. Siblings can play a major role in one's infancy and exposure to diapers. These might affect ABDL desires later.

7)What kind of diaper were you raised in? If more than one, please select the type you think you spent the most time in as a baby. Please select the closest match.
cloth with rubber pants
cloth with plastic or vinyl pants
cloth without a rubber, plastic, or vinyl cover
early disposable diapers that were rectangular with the plain plastic backing
disposable diapers with an hourglass shape and a plain plastic cover. This cover made a crinkling or rustling noise, unlike the later "cloth like" covers
disposable diapers with with an hourglass shape and a "cloth like" cover. This type of cover permitted Velcro fasteners and did not crinkle or rustle.
A diaper, but I don't know what kind.
A worn, absorbant system other than diapers. An example would be the Native American moss-lined child carrier.
A system that didn't rely on a worn absorbant, such as elimination communication.
I don't know.

8)Are you a twin or triplet? If you are a twin or triplet, please exclude the other twins or triplets of your set from the following questions.
Yes - No

0 1 2 3 4 5 or more
9) How many older sisters do you have?
10) How many older brothers do you have?
11) How many younger brothers do you have?
12) How many younger sisters do you have?

13) What is the age difference between you and your next younger sibling? Please select the closest option.
No younger siblings - 1 yr - 2 yrs - 3 yrs - 4 yrs - 5-6 yrs - 7-8 yrs - 9 or more yrs

14)Were these next younger siblings twins or triplets? Yes - No

15)How old were you when you were first left responsible to change a baby's diapers? If the difference in sibling's ages is large enough, an older child might be asked to regularly change a younger sibling's diaper. For others, the responsibility to change diapers only comes later, with babysitting jobs or after starting a family.
Preteens/Before 12 - Teens/13-15 - Teens/16-20 - Adult/After 20 - Still haven't

16) Were you adopted or ever placed in foster care? Yes - No

17) Was one or more of your siblings adopted or in foster care? Yes - No

Optional: Do you think your siblings affected how you view diapers and babyhood?


Part Two - Possibly Related Interests

Four interests that are often associated with with ABDLs are masochism, transvestism, furry fandom, and fetishism. Each of these have some properties in common with paraphilic infantilism or diaper fetishism. Masochism often involves a transfer of control. Transvestism and furry fandom involve a change in role.

Masochism

There are parallels and contrasts between infantilists and more conventional masochists. For example, both involve a transfer of control, from slave to mistress or from adult baby to mommy. However, while the slave might desire a sense of fear, the adult baby often does not. A more tangible difference is in the equipment involved: A slave might be chained up or strapped down, while an adult baby might be put in a large play pen.

18)Are you interested in sadomasochism or power exchanges?
Yes, only as a masochist, submissive, or "bottom"
Yes, mostly as a masochist, submissive, or "bottom"
Yes, equally as a masochist/submissive/"bottom" and sadist/dominant/"top"
Yes, mostly as a sadist, dominant, or "top"
Yes, only as a sadist, dominant, or "top"
No

19)Do you enjoy masochistic activities that are not baby-themed, such as being tied up with ropes, whipped, etc. ? These activities would not be appropriate with a real baby, toddler, or child.
Yes - Sometimes - Rarely - No

20)Do you enjoy baby-themed activities that involve restaint or punishment, such as being put in a crib, getting a time-out in the corner, etc. ? These activities would be appropriate with a real baby or toddler.
Yes - Sometimes - Rarely - No

21)Would you choose to mix baby-themed ABDL and non-baby themed masochistic elements in scenes, games, and fantasies? Please select the best answer.
Yes. They are different for me but I intermix them freely.
Yes. For me, they are an integral part of eachother.
No. While I enjoy both separately, they just aren't any enjoyable together..
No. Using harsh restaint or punishment on a baby, even if an adult baby, wouldn't be right.
No, because it is hard to stay in the role/mindset of baby around harsh restaint or punishment.
No. I'm not interested in one, the other, or both.

22)If you are interested in both masochism and diapers/babyhood, which came first?
An interest in non-baby themed masochism developed first.
An interest in diapers or babyhood developed first.
Both interests developed at the same time.
They are the same interest for me.
I've seemingly always been interested in both.
I'm not interested in one, the other, or both.

Crossdressing

It isn't rare for adult babies to end up dressing as the opposite gender, or fantasizing about it. Some men identify with baby girls. In that case, the gown and bonnet might be an expression of their femininity. Other men are crossdressed as baby girls by others for the humiliation of it. Still others fantasize about being forcibly crossdressed as baby girls by others so that they can express their femininity without guilt.

23)Do you enjoy dressing as/being a baby girl, the humiliation of being crossdressed as a baby, or both ?
(For women, please substitute 'baby boy' for 'baby girl.'
Yes, equally for femininity and humiliation
Yes, but mostly for the humiliation
Yes, but mostly to express my femininity
No, I don't enjoy being a baby girl or being dressed as one

24)If you are interested in crossdressing and diapers/babyhood, which came first?
An interest in being a woman or non-baby themed crossdressing developed first.
An interest in diapers or babyhood developed first.
Both interests developed at the same time.
They are the same interest for me.
I've seemingly always been interested in both.
I'm not interested in one, the other, or both.

Furry Fandom

A significant group of ABDLs identify with animals. Since these animals are usually furry, this group is called the "furry fandom." Some intermix their interest in animals and diapers/babyhood.

25)Do you sometimes roleplay online, in fantasy, or in real life as a furry character ? Please choose the closest match.
Yes, I prefer to play an baby-like puppy, kitten, cub, or other baby animal who is not capable of much.
Yes, I prefer to play a toddler-like puppy, kitten, cub, or other baby animal, who is capable of doing many things, but still dependent on others at times.
Yes, I prefer to play a older puppy, kitten, cub, or other baby animal, who is mostly independent.
Yes, I prefer to play a pet/slave/domestic animal, who is subservient to an owner, master, or mistress.
Yes, I prefer to play a daddy, mommy, or other caregiver "fur".
Yes, I prefer to play owner, master, or mistress to another "fur."
Yes, I prefer to play a grown-up "fur" but not a caregiver, master, etc.
No. I usually don't (or never) roleplay as a "fur."

26)If you roleplay as a furry animal, does it often involve diapers or babyhood?
Always
Sometimes, depending on which character I'm in.
Sometimes, depending on who I'm with.
Rarely.
Never.
I don't roleplay as a furry animal.

27)If you are interested in furry fandom and diapers/babyhood, which came first?
An interest in non-baby themed furry fandom developed first.
An interest in diapers or babyhood developed first.
Both interests developed at the same time.
They are the same interest for me.
I've seemingly always been interested in both.
I'm not interested in both.

Fetishes

28)Do you have a sexual attraction towards things other than diapers and waterproof pants ?
Yes, for an object or objects that are associated with my infancy.
Yes, for an object or objects that are not associated with my infancy.
No.

29)If you are interested in both fetishes and other ABDL activities such as roleplay, which came first?
The fetish-like interests developed first.
The interest in roleplay or other activities developed first.
Both interests developed at the same time.
They are the same interest for me.
I've seemingly always been interested in both.
I'm not interested in both.

30) Optional: Would you like to describe these interests and how they relate to being an ABDL for you?

"Normal is nothing more than a cycle on a washing machine" -Whoopi Goldberg


Part Three - Coincidental Conditions ?

A number of conditions have become associated with infantilism because of one patient who had both infantilism and that condition. Clearly, this sample size is too small to rule out coincidence. For almost any condition, there is a chance that an ABDL might have it. The unknown would be whether ABDLs were any more or less likely to have a certain condition than non ABDLs.

Have you been diagnosed with...

  1. Epilepsy? Yes - No
  2. Long-term fecal incontinence/uncontrolled soiling? Yes - No
  3. Long-term urinary incontinence/uncontrolled wetting? Yes - No
  4. ...A physical disability other than those above? Yes - No
  5. Asperger's Syndrome? Yes - No
  6. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? Yes - No
  7. Autism? Yes - No
  8. ...A developmental disorder other than the three above? Yes - No
  9. Bipolar Disorder? Yes - No
  10. Borderline Personality Disorder? Yes - No
  11. Dissociative Identity Disorder/multiple personalities? Yes - No
  12. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? Yes - No
  13. ...Another psychiatric disorder, excluding depression and developmental disorders? Yes - No

44)I think it is most likely that...
..none of the above conditions was involved with my becoming an AB/DL.
..one or more of the above caused me to become an AB/DL.
..being an ABDL caused one or more of the above conditions.
..my being an ABDL was the result of one or more of the above conditions, but also caused one or more of the above conditions.
..one or more of the above conditions and my being an ABDL was caused by some other common factor.
..I haven't been diagnosed with another condition.

45)Have you been diagnosed with clinical depression? Yes - No

46) How have the conditions above affected or been affected by your being an AB/DL? Do you have a relevant condition that isn't listed above?

47)Are you left-handed or ambidextrous? Ambidextrous people have equal skill in both hands.
Yes - No


Part Four - Changes over Time

Does the importance of various aspects of ABDL games, scenes, and fantasies change as we get older and more experienced? For each of the following aspects, please select both the change over time and the current level of importance. For the change, please go as far back into your ABDL interests as you can remember, but not back to before you were an AB/DL.

Change over time Currently it is...
# Increased Stayed the Same Decreased Aspect # Very Important Important OK Tolerable Must be absent
48 The feeling/sound/smell of the diapers. 49
50 The sex. Masturbation, intercourse, and the like might be involved. 51
52 Being under the control of someone else. Spankings, humiliation, etc., might be involved. 53
54 Being a baby. Stuffies, bottles, toys, and naptimes might be involved. 55
56 The convenience that diapers offer: not having to get to a bathroom.. 57

Optional: If your ABDL interests have changed over time, why do you think they did so?

"The only time a woman can really succeed in changing a man is when he is a baby" Natalie Wood


Part Five - Diapers, Diapers, Diapers

Central to the desires of most (but not all) ABDLs is the diaper.

58)What type would your fantasy diaper be, if unbounded by reality? Please select the closest match. Also, please pull-ups with the closest diaper type.
cloth without a rubber, plastic, or vinyl cover
rubber pants over cloth
plastic or vinyl pants over cloth
early disposable diapers with the plain plastic backing and a rectangular shape
disposable diapers with a plain plastic cover and an hourglass/contoured shape. This cover made a crinkling or rustling noise, unlike the later "cloth like" covers
disposable diapers with with a "cloth like" cover and an hourglass/contoured shape. This type of cover permitted Velcro fasteners and did not crinkle or rustle.
A diaper. I have no preference for the type.
An alternative system for dealing with waste, used with babies. Moss-lined baby carriers and elimination communication are examples.
An alternative system for dealing with waste, used with adults. Catheters would be an example.
An alternative system for dealing with waste, used with animals. A cat's litterbox would be an example.
My ABDL fantasies involve toilets or urinals, as opposed to diapers or alternative systems.
My ABDL fantasies don't involve diapers, toilets, or other non-diaper systems.
I don't have ABDL fantasies.

59)How many side tapes would your fantasy diaper have? Please select the closest match. Please don't count additional fasteners around tails, if any.
One pair, for a total of two
Two pair, four total
Three or more pairs
It would have pins instead of tapes
It would have large areas of hook-and-loop Velcro, like an all-in-one
It would slide on and off, like a 'pull-up'. It wouldn't rely on taps, pins, or Velcro.
There would be mechanical locks or magic, so I couldn't take them off
Doesn't mater
I don't like diapers

60)What do you think influenced your selection of fantasy diaper, and would you like to describe that diaper in more detail?


61)AB/DL games, scenes, or fantasies without the right type of diaper would be...
Pointless. The right type of diaper is critical.
Not as good, but still better than with no diaper.
OK, since I don't have a strong preference for diaper type.
OK or better, since I'm not that interested in diapers anyway.
Best, since I have an aversion to diapers.

62)What kind of diaper or alternative system do you wear most often now? Please select the closest match. Also, please pull-ups with the closest diaper type.
cloth with rubber pants
cloth with plastic or vinyl pants
cloth without a rubber, plastic, or vinyl cover
early disposable diapers that were rectangular with the plain plastic backing
disposable diapers with an hourglass shape and a plain plastic cover. This cover made a crinkling or rustling noise, unlike the later "cloth like" covers
disposable diapers with with an hourglass shape and a "cloth like" cover. This type of cover permitted Velcro fasteners and did not crinkle or rustle.
An alternative system for dealing with waste, used by babies. Moss-lined baby carriers and elimination communication are examples.
An alternative system for dealing with waste, used by adults. Catheters would be an example.
An alternative system for dealing with waste, used by animals. A cat's litterbox would be an example.
I don't use diapers or non-diaper systems. I only use toilets or other common options for handling waste.

63)If you usually wear a type of diaper that is different than your fantasy diaper, why? If more than one applies, please choose the reason that is most important for you.
No difference; they are the same.
Comfort - the fantasy diaper would make me sore, cause rashes, etc.
Convenience - the fantasy diaper would be too much work.
Availability/Affordability - the fantasy diaper costs too much, or isn't for sale anywhere.
Reliability/Absorbency - the fantasy diaper would leak too much, etc.
Environmental concerns - the fantasy diaper would load up landfills, etc.
Other

If other, please explain:

64)What topics would you like to see explored in future surveys, and are there ways that this or future surveys could be better?

- It is OK to quote from my essay answers anonymously. (Names, email address, and clearly identifying information will not be made public either way.)

-

Future surveys will focus on suggested topics plus specific practices, possible causes, fantasies, etc. Thank you for participating in this survey!

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Email BitterGrey[mail] Level: General | Status: Finished | Last Update: 16 March 2008


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