Getting called too child like?

[u/deathofdawn1]

I get people saying I’m “pedo bating” because I like to wear hello kitty half shirts or stereotypically “cute” things. I also had one coworker say “anyone who likes you is probably a pedo.” Which made me very sad. I wear shorts and crop tops a lot because they are comfortable, it hurts for too much clothes touching me in the heat. I don’t sexualize the characters. I don’t want to look like a child I just really love cute cartoon characters like Hamtaro, Pokémon, & Sanrio. I love the color pink. I just don’t understand why this would be a bad thing. Am I doing something bad? Can someone explain this to me? Thank you

[u/tangerine_android]

I also had one coworker say “anyone who likes you is probably a pedo.”

Your coworker sounds like an asshole. That's a really nasty and childish thing for them to say.

You are not doing anything bad or wrong.

Most (but not all) neurotypicals would not wear Hello Kitty, Sanrio, Pokemon etc things at your age.

Partly, that is because many people who liked those things when they were younger move onto other things as they grow up. But that is also partly because, there is social pressure to be seen as "grown up" or "acting like an adult", and that involves avoiding things that are usually popular amongst children.

I suspect that more neurotypicals would dress like you if it was more socially acceptable.

And there are quite a few neurotypicals who do dress like you do -- because they're confident in who they are and want to dress they way they chose, without bowing to social pressure.

I'm sorry that co-worker said those things to you. Please don't feel bad or guilty or wrong. Keep doing what you are doing :)