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Problematic introjects: A comprehensive thread on what they are and how to handle them.
#PluralGang #PluralTalk
#PluralGang #PluralTalk
First things first: That's the last time you'll see me put the words "problematic" and "introject" together. Ideally, anyone reading this would stop calling introjects problematic too, and I'll explain why.
First, however: What is an introject?
As it's defined on Blossom: An umbrella term for any system member that is based off of an abuser, family member, caretaker, or a historical, popular/famous, or fictional figure, etc. Includes, but is not limited to, fictives and factives.
As it's defined on Blossom: An umbrella term for any system member that is based off of an abuser, family member, caretaker, or a historical, popular/famous, or fictional figure, etc. Includes, but is not limited to, fictives and factives.
To put it in short terms: An introject is a system member that's based off an external source, whether fictional or real.
Today we're going to be talking about introjects from sources that can be considered problematic- Media created by bad people, or the bad people themselves.
Introjects commonly form because the source is a comfort for the system. Due to this, I've seen it argued that having introjects from problematic sources is bad, because it means the system takes comfort in their source.
There's several flaws with this logic, some of which-
There's several flaws with this logic, some of which-
-I don't see anyone talking about.
First is the most obvious one- Not every introject forms from a place of comfort. Introjects can form from the direct opposite, when their source causes the system an immense amount of stress.
First is the most obvious one- Not every introject forms from a place of comfort. Introjects can form from the direct opposite, when their source causes the system an immense amount of stress.
They can also form in neutral circumstances. Hell, systems can even form introjects from sources they've never once interacted with. No system can control what circumstances cause a new headmate to form.
There's another argument that I don't see anyone talking about, though- People change. People learn. People can find immense comfort in a source initially, only to learn later on that the source is problematic and choose to distance themselves from it.
In the case of systems, distancing themselves from a source they used to love doesn't make the introject go away.
Some of these introjects will choose to individually distance themselves by changing their name, avatar, etc. to not associate with the source.
HOWEVER. They don't owe this to you. They don't owe this to anyone. Even if their source is problematic.
HOWEVER. They don't owe this to you. They don't owe this to anyone. Even if their source is problematic.
Choosing to not change their name doesn't mean they support the source. That's their NAME. It is not your place to pressure them to change their name.
It's also pretty shitty to point out how something is problematic as a reaction to meeting an introject from that source. Chances are, they know already, and you doing this will only make them feel guilty for existing.
NOBODY should feel guilty for existing.
NOBODY should feel guilty for existing.
I also want to dedicate a chunk of this to the topic of abuser introjects. The plural community treats them like shit. A lot of them get condemned as, well, abusers. Here's your not-so-friendly reminder that introjects are NOT their source.
Some abuser introjects lash out at their system. Some don't. But, as with ANY headmate, they should be treated with the same respect and dignity you treat anyone else.
Don't force them to change their name. Don't instantly label them as persecutors for existing.
Don't force them to change their name. Don't instantly label them as persecutors for existing.
I hardly ever see positivity for introjects from problematic sources, so-
If you're an introject from a problematic source, you're doing amazing. I care about you.
If you're an abuser introject, you're doing amazing. I care about you.
If you're an introject from a problematic source, you're doing amazing. I care about you.
If you're an abuser introject, you're doing amazing. I care about you.
P.S. - Fuck you if you dunk on introjects on the basis of not liking their source.
End of thread.
-Parker
End of thread.
-Parker
