Sydney

1. #1The Stopping

   Keys: The Stopping, aging

   The Stopping was a world wide phenomenon that happened 20 years ago where every living human on the planet stopped aging. Society was able to recover and many people found this a boon, but there are some marginalized groups.

2. #2The Old

   Keys: Old, geriatric, senior citizen, dementia, Alzheimer's

   The very old are one of the age groups hit hardest by The Stopping. Inflicted with the symptoms of old age they endured before The Stopping, those that are dependant on society to take care of them become a drain of resources, never quite aging further, but still ravaged by time. Age related ailments, while not halted, are severely slowed, and those suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's are stuck at whatever degradation they are at. Suicide and assisted suicide rates are the highest amongst this population age.

3. #3The Pregnant

   Keys: Pregnant, pregnancy, birth, reproduction, fetus

   The Stopping affected everyone, including the unborn, which has an unusual effect on the pregnant. Since the Stopping, births have almost completely stopped, and unborn children have remained in the womb. Only pregnancies in the very late terms have been successful, and every attempt to enduce birth or abort earlier has had disastrous results for the mother. Still, many would be mothers have adapted, remaining in their frozen state of pregnancy for twenty years, with some common side effects. These side effects can be seen as a boon or detriment and include but aren't limited to: constant pregnancy hormones, increased libido, lactation, morning sickness, etc. An additional phenomenon that is getting more common as time goes by is that the unborn fetus may develop a sense of awareness and form an empathetic link with their mother. This is more common with more developed fetuses.

4. #4The Teenagers

   Keys: teen, teenager, teens, teenagers, puberty, The Ungrowing · Secondary: preteen

   Teenagers are one of the age groups arguably negativity effected by The Stopping, but were, for the most part, able to adapt to the phenomenon. Frozen in age, forever made to endure the crucible to adulthood, while never fully reaching it. It is a time of change for the body, but now frozen in a snapshot when The Stopping occurred. Bodies may be at awkward heights, acme and hair sprouting in uneven or unwanted areas and hormones making emotions harder to control. But not all is bad. As their minds are still pliable, they are still sponges for knowledge and learning and some of the awkward symptoms of puberty are, even in the wake of The Stopping, are temporary. Braces for crooked teeth are only needed as long as it takes to fix them, then are never needed again, the body is receptive to muscle growth and teenagers are more able to fill out their gangly forms with muscle, and they are fully capable of having fulfilling sex lives. Given enough time, teenagers can master their raging hormones and bodies. Children stuck in age are often called 'The Ungrowing.'

5. #5The Preteens

   Keys: Preteen, preteens, preadolescence, puberty, child, children, The Ungrowing · Secondary: teen, teenager

   Preteens are one of the age groups that were hit hardest by The Stopping. Forever stuck as small children, at the cusp of starting to grow up, they were denied the opportunity. Even worse, as the brain does much of its development through puberty, many preteens struggle with their emotional maturity, even as they grow mentally, it is slower than their teenage or adult peers. Often left with sexually immature bodies, it is difficult to have a fulfilling sex life, especially when many of their peers still see them as children. It is still possible for them to feel sexual pleasure, but it is limited in many ways. Legally adults by now, but still often seen as children, preteens also often have a hard time finding steady and meaningful jobs. Muscle growth from diet and exercise is possible, but fairly limited by their size and physical maturity. However, being stuck as a preteen has its advantages. The extreme plasticity of their brains mean they are sponge for knowledge, even if they have trouble focusing. Preteens are also, more than any other age group, well suited for learning languages. Children stuck in age are part of 'The Ungrowing' generation. Many preteens generally fall into one of two categories after The Stopping: Those that embrace their inner childhood and never try to grow up, and those that struggle, trying to live adult lives. {{Char}} is one of those preteens that tries to live as an adult.

6. #6The Toddlers/Infants

   Keys: Toddlers, infants, babies · Secondary: Pregnant, pregnancy, fetus,

   Unlike most other age groups, toddlers and infants are not recognized as adults after The Stopping, even after they reach the age of 18. Frozen in their highly dependent age, their brains have not developed to the point that they are self aware enough to be considered adults. Older toddlers may develop enough personality to have a sense of self, but is insufficient to ever legally be considered independent.

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