Babyfur

2005-08-25T19:06:10Z

12.218.33.153: /* Babyfur verses Pedophilia */

A '''babyfur''' is a member of the [[furry fandom]] who is also an Adult Baby and/or [[Wikipedia:Diaper Lover|Diaper Lover]] (collectively known as AB/DLs), or is otherwise involved in [[Wikipedia:Infantilism|Infantilism]]. There are many different types of furs in the babyfur community, each focusing on different aspects and roles. Like furry in general, babyfur culture involves a good amount of [[role-playing]] (either light or heavy), both online and in the real world.

The community has been growing more and more popular since the mid- to late 90's. While the community itself is still part of the furry fandom as a whole, it is large enough to present a good deal of leaders, politics and drama to give the community a nearly independent feel to it.

Role playing babyfurs will most often take on the role of a furry character in his/her infancy or childhood. Common roleplaying themes include "cute" clothing (onesies, footy pajamas, overalls, diapers) and a child's environment such as a nursery or day care center, complete with cribs, high chairs and babyish decor. A few babyfurs lucky enough to afford the privacy and devotion will set up adult nurseries to role play as children in real life. A sexual subset of this type of roleplaying is known as [[ageplay]].

[[Image:Rieva-little.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Babyfurs in a Nutshell.<br\>Art by [[LoupGarou]] [http://us-p.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/LoupGarou], character by [[Rieva]]]]

== Terminology ==

=== Babyfur Roles ===

There are a few sub-groups within the babyfur community which are often described with the following terminology:

; babyfur : Used to describe the group as a whole, however, specifically it referrers to someone that roleplays as younger, up to the human equivalent of toddler age, characters. Baby paraphernalia is most likely to be involved for this group and role played speech is often either in gibberish or very basic speech.
; lilfur : This is a person that roleplays as a child character. Diaper and other baby paraphernalia may or may not be involved. Role played speech is usually more refined at this point, but still somewhat juvenile.
; diaperfur : This is a person that roleplays as an adult character that still either requires or choose to wear diapers. Role played speech and actions are consistent with an adult. The person may also roleplay an adult character that is mentally regressed back to a younger state, but still has an adult physical form.
; sissyfur : This is a person that roleplays a male character, either adult or child, that is forced to dress and act as a young female character.
; caretaker : As the name suggests these are the people that roleplay caretaker characters, a 'mommy' or 'daddy' figure for other babyfurs.

Many people don't identify with one single group, but can change roles depending on the situation and who they are interacting with. It's also not uncommon for complex lineages (for example siblings, parents, ect) to be set up among other babyfurs so that roles can be defined.

=== Definition of AB/DLs ===

These are general non furry terms but are useful to understand in this context.

; Adult Baby (AB) : A person that enjoys regressing back to being a baby. Beyond regressing using physical or environmental changes (such as diapers, clothing, and settings), they also mentally regress, taking the mentality of a baby. These are the equivalent to 'babyfurs' or 'lilfurs' when crossed with [[furry]]. Teenagers who are Adult Babies will sometimes refer to themsleves as Teen Babies (TBs).

; Diaper Lover (DL) : A person that enjoys regressing back to being a baby, but limits the regressing to an environmental change (such as wearing diapers or using baby paraphernalia). These people, unlike AB's, will usually not regress physically (adopting a baby form) or mentally. These tend to be the equivalent of 'diaperfurs' in the babyfur community. For some DLs, but not all of them, there is a fetish connection to the diapers and baby play. They will sometimes take the submissive role to a caretaker in sexual play, and the caretaker will take a dominant role.

; Infantilist : Essentially, [[Wikipedia:infantilism|infantilism]] regards any person who enjoys regressing to the mental age of an infant or toddler, and may or may not involve diapers and other baby paraphernalia.

== "Cubbing Out" ==

"Cubbing Out" is a general term used by the community to describe roleplaying as a babyfur character. This can either be roleplay in the virtual world or the real world. Usually it will involve one or more regressed characters or people interacting with each other or with a caregiver.

=== The Caregiver's Role ===

Caregivers (or caretakers) are the 'mommy' and 'daddy' figures in the roleplay. For the most part, they interact with other babyfurs as a mother or father would with their child. This can include playing with, cleaning or disciplining the younger character. For those involved from a sexual standpoint, the caregiver may adopt the dominate role, while the regressed character adopts the submissive role.

=== Baby things (and why) ===

From the Adult Baby (AB) angle of AB/DL, regressing individuals prefer to behave and be treated as much like a baby or toddler as possible. To do so successfully achieves in many babyfurs a comforting, secure or blissful feeling. Various paraphernalia help to satisfy these preferences:

==== Clothing ====

Many babyfurs enjoy wearing all sorts of clothing. Some say the cuter it looks, the better it is. Such articles of clothing include the following:
* Overalls
* Shortalls
* Booties
* Dresses
* Onesies
* Pajamas
* Footed sleepers
* Mittens
* Bows

Many male babyfurs find they enjoy being dressed as little girls as well. These select babyfurs are sometimes called sissyfurs.
The classic baby bonnet (seen frequently in certain Looney Toons episodes) is not very common among babyfurs, which might be attributed to the fact that modern society doesn't find real babies wearing them either.

==== Plushies and Toys ====

Just like clothing, interacting with plushies and toys is very contributive to the cub experience. Toys range in age from baby toys to toy cars and action figures. As long as cubs get to interact with one another though, toys are not always the focus in a roleplay.

==== Objects ====

A toddler's life is not complete without many of the following items. Many babyfurs use these objects in online roleplay and would love to be able to use them in the real world:

* Cribs
* Walkers
* Strollers
* High chairs
* Car seats
* Booster seats
* Pacifiers
* Baby bottles
* Sippy cups
* Talcum powder
* Bubble baths

In addition to physical objects, some babyfurs also find a keen interest in actions like [[wikipedia:blowing a raspberry|blowing a raspberry]], being held, or watching old television shows that are no longer available for on TV. Many old children's shows such as 80's and early 90's cartoons on Nickelodeon were the same shows some babyfurs watched when they were little, and reminiscing about them leaves a nostalgic warmth.

=== Diaper Usage (and why) ===

Diapers are an item frequently used while "cubbing out." Like other aspects of babyfur, this can be done in the virtual world, the real world, or both. There are many babyfurs, however, while they will wear diapers in online roles, they do not wear them in real world. Many babyfurs that will wear diapers in real life for a feeling of security and comfort, but will not use them for their intended purpose. At the other end of the spectrum, there are some babyfurs that, either by choice or by necessity, wear and use diapers all the time. The wearing and using of diapers in the real world are at the heart of many issues that some members of the furry community in general have with the babyfurs.

Why babyfurs wear, and possibly use, diapers in the real world is varied. For some, they are forced to wear them because of a medical condition and have no choice in the manner. These people have often blended their real life situation with their furry persona. For others, it is a way they can regress into their furry persona's age. Some others see the diapers as a connection to their furry persona, paralleling a tail or fursuit in the general furry community.

=== Babyfur behavior ===

When cubbing out in both the real world and in online roleplaying, the level of connection to the role will vary between each player. Some babyfurs will become so involved and yearn for such an authentic childish mentality that they will use speech impediments and [[Wikipedia:baby talk|baby talk]] to communicate. Very few babyfurs make a habit out of using babytalk in the real world, similar to a [[Wikipedia:gay lisp|gay lisp]]. Depending on the situation, a babyfur could even develop a habit of whining or crying to get what he/she wants from a caregiver or another roleplayer.

In light online [[role-playing]], babyfurs may toddle, crawl and wag their tails playfully while the sounds of crinkling diapers abound. Pouncing, giggling, cuddling, [[snug]]ging and tummy rubbing ensue with the maximum possible level of cuteness.

=== Babyfurs at Furry Conventions ===

Just like furries in general, babyfurs go to [[convention]]s to spend time with friends and express their [[furriness]]. For many, that includes their babyfur aspects too. One may see many babyfurs dressed in juvenile clothing and with various paraphernalia because that is part of how they choose to express themselves. To some babyfurs, dressing in such a way is no different than other furries wearing ears, tails or fursuits.

At many [[convention]]s, hotel rooms are set up as gathering places for babyfurs to socialize privately. Two of the most notable are the [[C'ubhouse]] and [[Nursery]] run by [[LilPup]] and [[Snuggems]], respectively.

==Facts and Myths==
* Myth: Some babyfurs publically dress as a baby.
** Fact: True. Some babyfurs dress as a baby to express their interest in being a babyfur unashamed, and a few are avid seekers of humiliation or embarrassment. However, most babyfurs do not engage in the public dress of infantile paraphernalia.

* Myth: Some babyfurs are sexually attracted to children just as some furry fans are sexually attracted to furries.
** Fact: False. Being a babyfur is very different from being a pedophile. While a very small number babyfurs may be pedophiles, this is largely not the case. See section VII about the difference between babyfurs and pedophiles.

== History of the Babyfur Community ==
Text forthcoming.

== Community Leaders and Important Babyfurs ==

The following babyfurs are among the most known and respected in the furry fandom, recognized here for their contributions and devotion to the babyfur community:

* [[SwiftFox]] has been a member of the babyfur community since its inception in the mid to late 90's. He writes babyfur fiction, co-owns and moderates the Smartgroups Babyfurs mailing list, and hosts several furry and AB/DL events in the Pittsburgh area. ([http://www.swiftsden.net Swift's Den])

* [[Orca]] co-moderates the Babyfurs mailing list with SwiftFox. He maintains the Babyfurs mailing list and an external file archive. He routinely reports links to interesting or humorous online articles relating to AB/DLs. Orca is also the famed inventor of the "Orca Stack."

* [[LilPup]] and [[Lil_Kitt]] run and manage the [http://babyfur.com/cubhouse/ Babyfur C'ubhouse] at furry conventions for babyfurs to get together and have fun. LilPup also runs the [http://babyfur.com/ Online Babyfur Community], a central website that features the [http://babyfur.com/bfpl/ Babyfur Proximity Locator] (BFPL) for babyfurs to locate one another around the world. Like Swift and Orca, LilPup works to improve the relationship between babyfurs and non-babyfurs at conventions and to help babyfurs maintain a positive reputation in the furry fandom.

* [[Snuggems]] is most known for running the Nursery at Anthrocon, a room devoted to giving to those kids and cubs at heart who need to be cared for. Although it started up first and despite that the two meeting spots have different ratings and features, Snuggems' Nursery has been often been said to view the C'ubhouse as competition.

* [[Proxima Centauri]]'s name is perhaps the first name known to newcomers to the babyfur community as they search to satisfy their newly found interests. Proxima runs [http://www.nurserytails.ca Nursery Tails], one of the longest running AB Furry pages, dating back to 1997 (before the term "babyfur" had existed) and featuring thousands of babyfur art, fiction and multimedia files. Though it is in dire need of a new layout, the webpage still runs strong today.

* [[JayJ]]'s site, similar to Proxima's, was known for harboring a large collection of baby furry artwork, including many "babyfied" video game characters. This website has recently been sacked, and those responsible for the website's sacking have been sacked. (The website is no more.)

* [[Karis]] owns and maintains [http://karisplayground.com/ Karis' Playground], featuring a large collection of babyfur and AB/DL images by artists of all rank. Karis' Playground also offers a store where visitors can purchase prints of babyfur art by various professional artists, including his wife Marci McAdam.

== Babyfur Art & Literature ==
There are dozens of excellent authors and artists in the babyfur community. Here are a few of them:

=== Artists ===
* [[Marci McAdam]] is the most popular artist in the babyfur community. Although not a babyfur herself, her professional abilities and open-mindedness make her one of the best artist around. It is often said that a babyfur isn't officially a babyfur until he has purchased a badge or commission from Marci McAdam. Her babyfur art can be found for sale at her husband's website, [http://karisplayground.com/ Karis' Playground], and her other art is located at [http://furries.frithcat.com/ Marci McAdam's Furries]. Sadly, Marci is unable to take fandom-related commisions anymore due to her time constraints in doing professional art, but her support of babyfurs has always been appreciated and there has been no indication of her desire to remove herself from her furry art background, as has been the case with other artists.

* [[Genesis Eve Whitmore]] is not as popular as Marci but just as talented. She dominates the babyfur art market at Pawpet Megaplex in Orlando, FL in March, and her regular furry art gets plenty of attention as well. (About as much as her dazzling pink hair!) [http://www.madcoyote.com/gen/ Gen's Webpage]

* [[BushyCat]] appears at several furry conventions and is well known for her humorous-yet-innocent take on babyfurs as well as other alternative genres of furry art. Some of her creations have more human-like qualities than other artists tend to portray in their characters, making Bushy even more unique.

* [[JadeFox]] is one of the more active babyfur artists in the community, offering special contests and events for fans to participte in. The majority of his work is based on his own character or other babyfurs' characters. His drawings are especially creative and imaginative, bringing out only the most treasured aspects of childhood, as well as very innovative clothing design. (By several of his own brands and companies!) [http://www.furryjadefox.com/ Furry Jade Fox]

* [[Kelvin the Lion]] is a fairly popular artist whose current endeavors include (among others) the progressive webcomic [http://www.geocities.com/kelvincartoonist/index.html Nivlek], about the adventures of Nivlek the Snowleopard who enjoys eating and wearing diapers. Nivlek remains to be one of the more amusing "weird" furry comics out there, and his talent does not go unnoticed. [http://www.geocities.com/kelvinthelion/index.html Kelvin's Furry Den]

* [[FangKit]] has been drawing babyfurs for most of this decade, and continues to improve his artistic talent. His unique style and knack for cuteness and humor combine to make him favored by babyfurs throughout the community. [http://www.babyfox.org.uk/foxnip/ FangKit's Pics]

* [[OzzyFox]], a student of animation at the Art Institute of Houston, consistently produces work on a regular basis that ranges from cuddly-cute to controversial and mature. [http://foxcrib.sk1p.com/ Fox Crib]

* [[IkazuchiFox]] (commonly known by friends as "Ikajuicy") is found in the definition for "ubercute" listed in UrbanDictionary. He is one of the few amateur babyfur artists with work unique and notable enough to be recognized by the fandom. Although Ikazuchi has not done a sketch for a long time, it is the hope of many furs that he will start drawing again.

* [[Astolpho]], also known to his friends outside the furry community as [[rootdown]], had a unique technique involving bright pastel-like colors on babyfurs with baggy clothes, large eyes and innocent expressions that just begged for the creations to be hugged nonstop. Astolpho innovatively expanded on the existing "squiggly" concept by animating outlines around static colors, making his art even cuter. Frustration with some fans as well as dissatisfaction with the quality of his work has prompted Astolpho to limit the availability of his artwork.

* [[Cargo Weasel]]'s art leans strongly toward the "DL" side of "AB/DL," showing off mature diaper-related concepts that fit perfectly with his coloring and shading style. His art was featured on a now-defunct mailing list, but can still be found on his website: [http://www.cargoweasel.com/ Cargo Weasel: Art Complex]

=== Writers ===
* [[CS Fox]], also known as Kit Fox and Cyprus Sygial, is possibly the best known babyfur writer in the community. His works are the biggest features in the stories section at Nursery Tails, and since his submissions to Proxima's site he has gone on to host his own website showing off babyfur fiction of his own and by newer babyfur writers. The latest rendition of CS Fox's site, [http://www.foxtalestimes.com/ Fox Tales Times], is being completed as this article is written. Its biggest feature is CS Fox's renowned AB/DL RPGM2K-based game, Weston Academy. The website also sports plenty of comics and art related to the RPG.

* [[Firemane]]'s fiction is prominently featured on CS Fox's fiction page. His acclaimed works are written with skill, audacity and many levels of fantasy, thrill and twists.

* [[Fieval Mouse]]'s work is still favored by many furs. His stories are roughly 5 years old and are found on Proxima's Nursery Tails, featuring illustrations by Doodles.

== Babyfur as a Paraphilia ==

A phenomenon exists throughout the furry fandom where it appears that a large amount of its members find a sexual attraction to anthropomorphic animals. As babyfurs are also furries, the phenomenon adheres to babyfurs as well. Because most babyfurs tend to enjoy roleplaying as children or toddlers, the question constantly arises: Are babyfurs pedophiles?

===Babyfur verses Pedophilia===
Babyfurs are not pedophiles. While babyfurs may roleplay as underage characters, they are not sexually attracted to children.

As babyfurs are defined in section 1, they roleplay as young furries usually because of their longing to be young again. Many babfurs do not include a sexual element to their interests. There are some that do however. The major distinction that should be made here is while the roleplayed character may be a minor, there is a consenting adult roleplaying that character. A real child should not be considered as the same thing as an adult roleplaying a child.

However, as with the general population, a very small subset of babfurs may also be pedophiles. Such interests and activities are neither accepted by nor condoned by babyfurs or the overall [[Furry Fandom|furry fandom]]. While there have been legal incidents in the past with some furries involved with pedophilia, they have not been specifically identified as babyfurs.

===Babyfurs vs. Non-Babyfurs===
The concept of babyfurs has grown quite contentious with some members of the within the [[fandom]]. Some furries, and nonfurries, who have identified themselves as babyfurs or were identified by others as being babyfurs have acted inappropriately at [[convention]]s in the past. Such contentious behavior includes wearing diapers in public without using proper hygine and trying to push uninterested people into babyfur [[roleplay]], including sexual roleplay. These behaviors are frowned upon by the babyfur community in general, and such incidents, when perpetrated by babyfurs, are done by a small number of babyfurs within a larger babyfur community. The community in general adopted guidelines of conduct for how to act in public after a rash or such incidents at conventions in an effort to police themselves.

Furries who dislike babyfurs may do so for a variety of common points, including:

* Grossed out by the concept fo diaper lovers
* False belief that all babyfurs are pedophiles
* Previous negative experiences with those who identify themselves as babyfurs or were identifed by others as being babyfurs.
* Fear that babyfur behavior will be associated as a characteristic of the general fandom, especially in the media

While there is some conflict between babyfurs and the general fandom, such conflicts are not widespread throughout the entire fandom nor are they very severe. The majority of babyfurs and non-babyfurs coexist quite well because the majority of babyfurs do not engage in the more extreme behaviors mentioned here.

== Babyfur Links and Media ==

Babyfurs have a well established community full of art, resources, and as many modes of communication as the rest of the furry fandom.

=== Web pages ===

==== Informative pages ====
Want to learn more about babyfurs, who they are, and why they are? These web pages may be helpful.
* [http://understanding.infantilism.org Understanding Infantilism] by [[Bittergrey]]
* [http://babyfur.com Online Babyfur Community] by [[LilPup]]

[[Image:sr_secondlife.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Two babyfurs hug in the world of [[Second Life]].]]
==== Art/fiction pages ====
* [http://nurserytails.ca Nursery Tails] by [[Proxima Centauri]]
* [http://www.foxtalestimes.com Fox Tales Times] by [[CS Fox]]
* [http://foxcrib.sk1p.com/ Fox Crib] by [[OzzyFox]]
* [http://www.furryjadefox.com Furry Jade Fox] by [[JadeFox]]
* [http://www.karisplayground.com/ Karis' Playground] by [[Karis]]

=== LiveJournal Communities ===

* [http://www.livejournal.com/community/babyfur/ Babyfur Community]

=== Mailing Lists ===

* [http://clubs.wanadoo.co.uk/group/group.cfm?GID=2982050 Smargroups Babyfurs]
* [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Babyfur_Cubhouse/ Babyfur C'ubhouse]
* [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/clubcargo/ Club Cargo]
* [http://clubs.wanadoo.co.uk/group/group.cfm?GID=3103378 LilFursCubhouse]
* [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MDBabyFurs/ Maryland Babyfurs]

=== Internet Relay Chat ===
* [http://www.babyfox.org.uk/babyfurs/ Furnet #babyfurs] (PG13 rating)
* [http://www.furnet.org/news/ Furnet #babyfur] (Unrated)

=== MUCKs ===

The Treehouse on [[Tapestries]] is a common meeting place for lilfurs and ageplayers. Ask to be teleported to secretmoon and you're there.

=== Second Life ===

Many babyfurs can be found in [[Second Life]]. Currently, there is no official meeting place for babyfurs, although "Raven's Playground and C'ubhouse" is growing in popularity and detail, and a corner of FN Prime dedicated to babyfurs is in the process of being created.

[[Category:Paraphilias]]
[[Category:Social groups]]

WikiFur - User contributions [en]

Babyfur