Anaclitism

from Encyclopedia of Unusual Sex Practices, by Brenda Love (New York: Barricade Books, 1992).

Anaclitism is the act of achieving adult sexual arousal by activities or objects one was exposed to as an infant. These may include breast sucking, enemas, toilet training (urophilia and coprophilia), soiled clothing (mysophilia), bondage (womb confinement), spankings, humiliation, biting, nudity or exhibitionism, circumcision, submission, being bathed, nurtured, throwing temper tantrums, wearing infant apparel, having the penis slapped for masturbation, or playing with dolls.

Similar activities were ritualized by the ancient Greeks, who believed that it was necessary for any man who had fallen fatally ill to undergo a rebirth upon recovering. He was passed through a woman's lap, washed as a newborn, dressed in infant's clothing, and nursed.

Fetish objects can be very arousing when introduced into sex play. Most often these items include rubber pants, rubber aprons, shoes, fur, and stuffed animals. Partners usually know which items they find erotic. The fetish value of some objects originates during the period before a baby sees well. These are tactile and the person may only respond to them by touch. An example of this was the woman who noticed a sense of nurturing when a dental hygienist or nurse leaned over her, brushing her uniform against her skin. The mere sight of uniforms had no effect; the stimulus had to be tactile. A history of the woman revealed that she had been born two months premature and had spent the first months of her life being cared for by nurses in uniform. (Personal communication.)

Some people interested in this type of sex play have formed adult baby clubs that provide contacts, photos, and paraphernalia for others who want to experiment with this form of erotic play. CAUTION: Anaclitism in which a partner is exposed to body secretions is not considered safe sex.

(See also BONDAGE, EXHIBITIONISM, FETISHES, HUMILIATION, INFANTILISM, KLISMAPHILIA, LACTAPHILIA and UROPHILIA

This file was last modified on August 29, 2005.