PsychologyAugust 30, 2026
infantilizing
in-FAN-tuh-ly-zing
Definition
Treating an adult in a way that is patronizing or degrading, as if they were a young child incapable of managing their own affairs.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin word 'infans' (meaning 'unable to speak' or 'young child') combined with the suffix '-ize' and '-ing'. It entered English in the 20th century to describe the act of reducing an adult to the status of a child.
In the news
The article uses the word to describe how benign ageism—while often well-intentioned—belittles older adults by stripping them of their autonomy and agency. It highlights how being treated like a child is a dehumanizing experience for older individuals.
Nobody prepares us for ageism, though it impacts the quality of our retirement.
Read the full article ↗Psychology Today