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Dolls are identical to children's toys. Whether it is used as a "family member" when playing house or as a sleeping companion for children who are still afraid to sleep alone. However, what if you still like to play with dolls as an adult? Is this normal?
Meaning of dolls for adults
Playing with dolls teaches children to have a sense of responsibility - to keep them clean and well-groomed, not damaged, even to putting clothes on and giving them "food". But gradually as they grow and develop, children may start to leave their favorite doll and switch to things that are more "adult", such as makeup, playing with school friends, starting to like the opposite sex, and others.
For a teenager, a doll may be just a childhood memory. There are certain dolls that he still keeps because it is his favorite doll or because he was given a gift from his friend or someone closest to him.
Meanwhile, what about adults who still like dolls? Some adult women may still have dolls. Playing with dolls as an adult might remind him of his beautiful childhood. So, he wanted to keep these memories.
Then, is it normal to still play with dolls as an adult?
You can still play with dolls at any age, there are no restrictions. It's normal for you as an adult to still keep or buy new dolls. There is nothing wrong with this. Also, there is nothing wrong with playing with dolls, even though you are an adult.
However, this can also be a problem if the doll has become the main focus of your life. For example, you have to carry your doll with you everywhere, otherwise it may interfere with your daily activities. If so, mental health problems can arise.
Playing with dolls can also be a mental health concern if it carries your fantasies from childhood into adulthood. In healthy mental development, the fantasies of children that exist in childhood can be carried over to adulthood, but turn into things or interests that are adapted to adult life, as explained by Dr. Joseph M. Carver, Ph. D to Ask the Psychologist. For example, when you used to love dressing your doll in a variety of clothes, maybe now your interest has become in dressing people.
However, some adults may choose not to escape childhood life. This makes there a little child traits that are maintained in him. Of course, this is not good considering that adults should have mental and emotional maturity compared to young children.
So, it's not okay to play with dolls when you are an adult. This is fine. But, don't let this interfere with your mental and emotional development as an adult. After all, play is also a necessity of adults, not just children. Playing can bring happiness and also help develop creativity. However, there are certain limitations that differentiate the meaning of play in children and in adults.
