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Although the causes might not be clear, the effects are. The '''Man Child''', a term invented by William Faulkner, is usually an adult who possesses a very childlike or childish demeanor. He's emotionally both simple and fragile; he prefers (although does not always ''need'') to have a parent figure to look after him. He usually [[Wide-Eyed Idealist|isn't very worldly]] and is typically pretty [[The Ingenue|gullible]]. The Man Child's interests are usually what most people consider to be immature or childish, even in comparison to actual children.
Although the causes might not be clear, the effects are. The '''Man Child''', a term invented by William Faulkner, is usually an adult who possesses a very childlike or childish demeanor. He's emotionally both simple and fragile; he prefers (although does not always ''need'') to have a parent figure to look after him. He usually [[Wide-Eyed Idealist|isn't very worldly]] and is typically pretty [[The Ingenue|gullible]]. The Man Child's interests are usually what most people consider to be immature or childish, even in comparison to actual children.


In the vast majority of cases, the character is [[Always Male]]. This is (presumably) to contrast the differences between him and "normal men" with the normal responsibilities and wisdom of adulthood. The female version is usually split between [[The Ingenue]], the [[Genki Girl]], or other tropes which highlight an adult woman's child-like attributes rather than her grown-up persona. Manchild has many more negative connotations than [[The Ingenue]]; the manchild's immaturity and lack of outward adult behavior is emphasized as being a bad thing versu being and emphasized good thing like [[The Ingenue]]'s purity and idealism. On the [[Brain Chain]], the Man Child occupies a space between The [[Cloudcuckoolander]] and [[The Ditz]], but without necessarily becoming [[The Fool]]. He usually does not have [[The Fool]]'s [[Born Lucky|luck]], but he doesn't necessarily play the role of the [[Butt Monkey]] either. Although the Man Child is commonly portrayed as being mentally challenged he does not necessarily have to be.
In the vast majority of cases, the character is [[Always Male]]. This is (presumably) to contrast the differences between him and "normal men" with the normal responsibilities and wisdom of adulthood. The female version is usually split between [[The Ingenue]], the [[Genki Girl]], or other tropes which highlight an adult woman's child-like attributes rather than her grown-up persona. "Man Child" has many more negative connotations than [[The Ingenue]]; the Man Child's immaturity and lack of outward adult behavior is emphasized as being a bad thing versus being an emphasized good thing like [[The Ingenue]]'s purity and idealism. On the [[Brain Chain]], the Man Child occupies a space between The [[Cloudcuckoolander]] and [[The Ditz]], but without necessarily becoming [[The Fool]]. He usually does not have [[The Fool]]'s [[Born Lucky|luck]], but he doesn't necessarily play the role of the [[Butt Monkey]] either. Although the Man Child is commonly portrayed as being mentally challenged he does not necessarily have to be.


In [[Comedy Tropes|comedic works]], he usually plays the role of [[The Ditz]]. In [[Drama Tropes|dramatic works]], he could be the [[Jerk with a Heart of Gold]] due to his simplicity or immaturity, or he could be [[Ensemble Darkhorse|the sympathetic character]] we come to love. Sometimes the Man Child embarks on a late-in-the-day [[Coming of Age Story]], which ushers him into true adulthood. Note that usually [[Sex as Rite-of-Passage]] works only some of the time. In many instances, A Man Child [[A Man Is Not a Virgin|is not a virgin]], but only sees sex as a tool of pleasure and does not recognize its emotional significance.
In [[Comedy Tropes|comedic works]], he usually plays the role of [[The Ditz]]. In [[Drama Tropes|dramatic works]], he could be the [[Jerk with a Heart of Gold]] due to his simplicity or immaturity, or he could be [[Ensemble Darkhorse|the sympathetic character]] we come to love. Sometimes the Man Child embarks on a late-in-the-day [[Coming of Age Story]], which ushers him into true adulthood. Note that usually [[Sex as Rite-of-Passage]] works only some of the time for this. In many instances, A Man Child [[A Man Is Not a Virgin|is not a virgin]], but only sees sex as a tool of pleasure and does not recognize its emotional significance.


[[One of the Kids]] is related, in where their childishness is caused by spending a lot of time around children.
[[One of the Kids]] is related, in where their childishness is caused by spending a lot of time around children.
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{{examples}}
{{examples}}
== Anime & Manga ==
== Anime and Manga ==
* Apachai Hopachai in ''[[Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple]]'' is known as the "Death God of the Muay Thai Underground" and is a deadly fighter in combat. Outside combat, however, he's very innocent, gentle, and childlike.
* Apachai Hopachai in ''[[Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple]]'' is known as the "Death God of the Muay Thai Underground" and is a deadly fighter in combat. Outside combat, however, he's very innocent, gentle, and childlike.
* Doctor Tokita in ''[[Paprika]]''.
* Doctor Tokita in ''[[Paprika]]''.
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