sprinkling salt on: fetishizing women and the infantalization of women!!
This is something that has been driving me crazy lately, and I hate to say it, but it only seems to be taking place among cis men who are roleplaying female muses.What it all points back to sexism and the inherent belief that women exist exclusively for the benefit of men.
And I find it absolutely abhorrent that there are so many female characters who are either being characterized to have sex as their primary motive or purpose, or are simply being thrown blindly into that kind of role by the writer behind them. In these same characters, there is little to no development in any area of their character outside of their sexuality or potential romantic partners, and every plot essentially has the purpose of furthering romance and showing off how desirable they are.
Another huge part of this is the infantalization of women. The concept of childlike qualities being considered desirable, particularly in women. This is apparent not only in appearance, but in personality.
To be clear, naivety, ignorance and blatant stupidity are not cute.
Qualities that leave women vulnerable to exploitation and sexual predators are not cute, and should neither be encouraged, supported, nor left without development in rp?
I also want to dispel the idea that this is natural behaviour.
Aside from in very specific, and usually toxic and already exploitative environments, or in the cases of intellectual disabilities, most people are socialized at an early age to understand what is and is not normal, acceptable behaviour.
I think it’s very telling of what kind of person is behind a character when these things become evident, and I tend to be very wary when I see it.
