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Before describing what balloonism involves, it is appropriate to describe the population from whom this information was drawn. Over 1,700 people are known to have balloonism, based on subscriptions to internet email and chat groups. The large number of professional and semi-professional web sites and video producers sustained by supporting the balloonism community suggests that the number of people on the internet with such an interest is considerably greater than this figure, and there are likely to be many more candidates who are not active on the internet.
Perhaps surprisingly, the constitution of the balloon community’s internet groups seems to be fairly representative of internet users generally. Males constitute the majority in the groups, which is not surprising considering that the majority of internet users are male, and that males are much more likely to possess paraphilias (unusual sexual interests) [Brown, Campion]. That said, the proportion of females is surprisingly high; perhaps as much as 25 percent. This may be due to the social nature of the internet forums involved, and the fact that balloon play can be ‘fun’. It also seems that the majority of the females who participate in these groups acquired their interest in balloons from a male partner, although there are numerous examples where this is not the case (see also Origins).
The distribution of age groups is also unremarkable. Ages range from 17 through to mid-60s. There seems to be no evidence that people of any particular age are especially prone to possess this interest; nor that the interest decines with age. In fact, since at least some aspects of the interests are learned, it seems that greater satisfaction may be found as experience increases. The lower age limit is probably governed by the demographics of web usage and the likelihood that such an interest in balloons is not realised for what it is until puberty is reached; however, there is substantial evidence that the origins of the interest stem from much earlier ages in many cases (see Origins).
The majority of group members are heterosexual, although bisexuals and homosexuals of both genders are well represented. A good proportion of the group are married; several are divorced. There seems to be no correlation between sexual orientation and an interest in balloons, and little evidence that the balloon interest seriously interferes with the ability to maintain a successful marriage or partnership. In some cases, it appears to have the reverse effect, where the shared interest, or the willingness of one partner to accept and indulge the interest, actually strengthens the relationship.
The educational and professional status of the group is again typical of web users; ie, skewed towards higher levels of education and with a bias towards IT professionals and engineers. Quite a few members of the group are currently pursuing tertiary qualifications; several hold post-graduate qualifications, and at least one is conducting research at PhD level. Other occupations represented within the group include business professionals, labourers, machine operators, pilots, retail workers, teachers, and so on. Accordingly, there appears to be no evidence that the balloon interest correlates with any particular level of intelligence or vocational interests; nor does it appear to jeopardise success in academic and professional endeavours.
It might be expected that balloonism would often be associated with other paraphilias (unusual sexual interests). There does appear to be some evidence of this, although the trends are perhaps somewhat surprising.
The majority of those with an interest in balloons do not possess any other unusual sexual interests. However, as with many fetishes, a kind of voyeurism for the object of interest is quite common (especially, but not exclusively, amongst males). Because of the close relationship between balloonism and balloon voyeurism, such voyeurism is best considered to be an aspect of balloonism, rather than a separate paraphilia (see Watching).
Approximately ten percent of the group possesses unusual sexual interests or fetishes in addition to balloons. The most prevalent of these is an interest in vinyl inflatable toys, such as pool toys. It is possible to see some parallels between balloons and pool toys, which may provide some clues to the essence of the interests in such cases.
Enthusiasm for provocative clothing, such as lingerie or Lycra™/Spandex™ clothing, is not uncommon. The incidence of these interests is probably similar to that of the wider community, which suggests that there is no correlation between the attraction for balloons and that for clothing.
A few individuals with balloonism also have an interest in ‘body inflation’ (imagining a human body, or parts thereof, being inflated). Often this fantasy specifically concerns breast enlargement (BE), and is to be found in both males and females. One or two other members are especially interested in imagining balloons in place of, or supplementing, breasts. These convergences suggest that balloons remind such individuals of breasts. However, there is no sign that any similarity between breasts and balloons is significant for the great majority of those with balloonism.
It is worthwhile pointing out what paraphilias do not occur in conjunction with balloonism. This should dispel some concerns about the potential danger to society posed by balloonism, and hopefully reassure the neophyte that he or she is not on the edge of a downward spiral leading to insanity. It will also be useful when subsequently attempting to divine explanations for balloonism.
It could be expected that balloonism is perhaps a specialisation of a rubber fetish (ie, involving rubber clothing, tyres, and so on). However, there are very few known cases of anyone with balloonism having an interest in rubber goods generally.
Some commentators have assumed that balloonism must be associated with pedophilia, presumably on the grounds that balloons are frequently used as children’s toys. However, no individuals in the group appear to have any sexual interest in minors, with or without balloons. The group is as abhorrent of pedophilia as is society generally.
Another theory often put forward to explain balloonism relies on the apparently destructive nature of the act of popping balloons. This would suggest that destroying balloons would be an expression of violent tendencies, which might perhaps also be manifested in other ways, such as sadism/massochism. In fact, there is very little incidence of such interests: perhaps one or two individuals. It is also relevant that a good proportion of the group (perhaps 50 percent) actually prefers not to pop balloons, and very few of those who do so are interested in mass or rapid destruction of balloons. Accordingly, there is very little evidence to suggest that balloonism is associated with violent behaviour.
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