A diaper for holding an absorbent article in close bodily contact in the crotch region of the wearer. The diaper includes a front region, a crotch region having a specified Crotch Holding Force, and a rear region. The crotch region of the diaper typically is elastically extensible in both the longitudinal and lateral directions. The diaper provides an upward holding force against the absorbent article in the crotch region to hold the article in close bodily contact. The invention includes a system including the diaper and an absorbent article for use therewith, and a method for holding such an article in close bodily contact by wearing the diaper.