Dictionary of Sexology Project: Main Index
Although some nodes on e2 seem to prefer just joking the matter away, the fact is ignored that there are quite a lot of people out there who are pedophiles or have pedophile tendencies. This writeup is not for them. This writeup is for those of you who are curious about what pedophilia is, and it tries to give some insight into why someone can be a pedophile.
I do realize that this writeup can be a bit "in the face" to some, and I strongly encourage someone to write a writeup that is the opposite of this one. The purpose of this WU is purely to see things from a fresh perspective
How many people are pedophiles?
It is hard to put a number on something like this. Think about it this way: Very many homosexuals have a hard time "coming out of the closet", or admitting they are homosexual, even though statistically as many as 1/7 may have homosexual or bisexual tendencies. In addition to this, people are naturally protective of children. Because pedophilia is often connected with child abuse, very few people will admit to being pedophiles.
It is hard to put a number on something like this. Think about it this way: Very many homosexuals have a hard time "coming out of the closet", or admitting they are homosexual, even though statistically as many as 1/7 may have homosexual or bisexual tendencies.
In addition to this, people are naturally protective of children. Because pedophilia is often connected with child abuse, very few people will admit to being pedophiles.
So, what's so great about shagging kids?
Unfortunately, most sexual preferences that are not "normal" (i.e. everything other than heterosexuality) is met with a great deal of skepticism and prejudice. That is all right, it is a natural part of being human. However, if you are not willing to be open-minded about sexual preferences (including pedophilia), you might as well go read something else.
Unfortunately (for the sake of this node) I am not a pedophile, and I cannot give a firsthand experience / story. I have done some research, however, and most of the things in this writeup will be more or less a regurgitation of the thoughts and ideas I have come across. If anyone knows that I have made any mistakes or omissions, please do contact me, so I can correct. Pedophilia is a controversial topic, a topic which most people have some kind of opinion about. However, this opinion is often based on hate-propaganda served by the media. I am not condoning (or denouncing, for that matter) pedophilia , but one must never forget where information comes from. The media have an agenda; Even though the media likes to project an image of the illusion that everything they do is for the enlightenment of the public, this is not always true. The media (in particular tabloid media) wants to sell their programs/newspapers. To do this, controversial issues tend to be seen from a politically correct viewpoint. Luckily, E2 is not such an institution, so I will try to let you see the other side of pedophilia. Couldn't quite figure out where to fit this in, but: Another thing that makes pedophilia so controversial, is the name of the "crime"; Even if a young person consents to having a sexual relationship with someone older, the crime is labeled"statutory rape". Rape has a very strong negative connotation, even though the crime might be a formality.
Unfortunately (for the sake of this node) I am not a pedophile, and I cannot give a firsthand experience / story. I have done some research, however, and most of the things in this writeup will be more or less a regurgitation of the thoughts and ideas I have come across. If anyone knows that I have made any mistakes or omissions, please do contact me, so I can correct.
Pedophilia is a controversial topic, a topic which most people have some kind of opinion about. However, this opinion is often based on hate-propaganda served by the media. I am not condoning (or denouncing, for that matter) pedophilia , but one must never forget where information comes from. The media have an agenda; Even though the media likes to project an image of the illusion that everything they do is for the enlightenment of the public, this is not always true. The media (in particular tabloid media) wants to sell their programs/newspapers. To do this, controversial issues tend to be seen from a politically correct viewpoint. Luckily, E2 is not such an institution, so I will try to let you see the other side of pedophilia.
Couldn't quite figure out where to fit this in, but: Another thing that makes pedophilia so controversial, is the name of the "crime"; Even if a young person consents to having a sexual relationship with someone older, the crime is labeled"statutory rape". Rape has a very strong negative connotation, even though the crime might be a formality.
Think back a few years. You are 12-15 years old, and are just discovering that there is such a thing as sex. Puberty is a time of insecurity and big changes. For some, these changes are bigger than for others (if you, for example, are gay, you know what I mean). Imagine discovering that your main "thing" isn't boys or girls of your own age. Imagine that your "thing" is other young people. More in particular; People younger than you, say children aged 9-15. The age difference isn't all that big, and nobody really cares. However, as the years pass by, your preference stays at children aged 9-15. That's what's called a problem. Seen from this perspective, pedophilia is suddenly something very different than your average child molester So, what happens if you are a pedophile, and the only information you get about it is the legal cases that show up in the media every now and then, about child molesters?
Think back a few years. You are 12-15 years old, and are just discovering that there is such a thing as sex. Puberty is a time of insecurity and big changes. For some, these changes are bigger than for others (if you, for example, are gay, you know what I mean). Imagine discovering that your main "thing" isn't boys or girls of your own age. Imagine that your "thing" is other young people. More in particular; People younger than you, say children aged 9-15. The age difference isn't all that big, and nobody really cares. However, as the years pass by, your preference stays at children aged 9-15. That's what's called a problem.
Seen from this perspective, pedophilia is suddenly something very different than your average child molester So, what happens if you are a pedophile, and the only information you get about it is the legal cases that show up in the media every now and then, about child molesters?
There have been very few (if any) truly objective studies or research done on pedophilia. Reasons for there being no objective reports are:
The politically correct opinion/view is that "pedophilia == child abuse". However, this is (at best) incorrect. When scientists refer to "heterosexual" intercourse, they do not categorize it as a form of rape. The same goes for pedophilia. A study written by a Mr. C.K Li (Cambridge University, Institute of Criminology) did a study on pedophilia. From his interviews he concluded that "many pedophile are truly interested in the child's world and that affection and a loving relationship represent their ultimate ideal, not just sexual gratification"
The politically correct opinion/view is that "pedophilia == child abuse". However, this is (at best) incorrect. When scientists refer to "heterosexual" intercourse, they do not categorize it as a form of rape. The same goes for pedophilia.
A study written by a Mr. C.K Li (Cambridge University, Institute of Criminology) did a study on pedophilia. From his interviews he concluded that "many pedophile are truly interested in the child's world and that affection and a loving relationship represent their ultimate ideal, not just sexual gratification"
If you ever speak to a pedophile (chances are you won't, because the way things are today), chances are that you get a quite different picture of pedophilia, namely that there are two different sides to it, namely sexual abuse of children and genuine love of children.
As you can see, the views from the two perspectives (the one of the pedophile, and the other being the view of pretty much the rest of the world) vary wildly. Without speculating too much about who is "right" (the "truth" can only be found by seeing things from at least two angles), it has to be pointed out that writing either view off as delusion is probably not right.
(or: the modern witch hunt)
The common belief that child sexual abuse is everywhere has led to many grotesque efforts to uncover the hidden abuse, and many false accusations. In 1983 in California, a psychotic mother noticed that her three-year old son's anal area was reddened and she became obsessed with the thought that he had been sodomized by a teacher at the preschool. The boy denied this, but after repeated questioning, the boy said that the teacher took his temperature. Convinced that the 'thermometer' was indeed a penis, the mother called the police. The police sent letters to two hundred families whose children currently or previously attended the preschool. All children initially denied being abused, but after repeated questioning by parents, therapists and police under a considerable pressure to disclose sexual abuse, many of the children told stories that became more and more grotesque. They told about animals being tortured and slaughtered and children being kidnapped, abused and mutilated in graveyards, hot air balloons, helicopters, and dungeons under the preschool. As the accusations spread during 1984, seven men and women were imprisoned, including an old wheelchair-bound grandma, and seven preschools were closed. Police and parents were digging for several years without finding any dungeons. No children had ever been missing, there were no adult witnesses, and no physical evidence of anything unusual. Rather than disbelieving these increasingly bizarre stories, the psychologists came up with the idea that the children had been abused by a satanic cult. It took seven years and many expensive trials before all charges were finally dismissed for lack of evidence.
The common belief that child sexual abuse is everywhere has led to many grotesque efforts to uncover the hidden abuse, and many false accusations. In 1983 in California, a psychotic mother noticed that her three-year old son's anal area was reddened and she became obsessed with the thought that he had been sodomized by a teacher at the preschool. The boy denied this, but after repeated questioning, the boy said that the teacher took his temperature. Convinced that the 'thermometer' was indeed a penis, the mother called the police. The police sent letters to two hundred families whose children currently or previously attended the preschool.
All children initially denied being abused, but after repeated questioning by parents, therapists and police under a considerable pressure to disclose sexual abuse, many of the children told stories that became more and more grotesque. They told about animals being tortured and slaughtered and children being kidnapped, abused and mutilated in graveyards, hot air balloons, helicopters, and dungeons under the preschool. As the accusations spread during 1984, seven men and women were imprisoned, including an old wheelchair-bound grandma, and seven preschools were closed.
Police and parents were digging for several years without finding any dungeons. No children had ever been missing, there were no adult witnesses, and no physical evidence of anything unusual. Rather than disbelieving these increasingly bizarre stories, the psychologists came up with the idea that the children had been abused by a satanic cult. It took seven years and many expensive trials before all charges were finally dismissed for lack of evidence.
Although this writeup is by and large "in favor" of Pedophilia, it was not written to be. The main point against pedophilia has always been (and is still) that children are not independent and mature enough to make choices about love and sexuality. I strongly agree. However:
--- Pedophilia is not per definition child abuse ---
*) Danish Pedophile Association, http://www.danpedo.dk/
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update: There have been some strong responses to this posting, which is great - it means I've made people think. In any case: I very strongly appreciate the wu by Segnbora-t that follows this one - it puts my writeup into balance, by showing both sides of this very difficult topic.
"Seen from this perspective, pedophilia is suddenly something very different than your average child molester." What makes you think this isn't exactly the situation that your average child molester is in? The book Transforming Trauma by Anna C. Salter said something that really stuck in my mind, that there were two types of child sexual abusers that often had opposite effects on their victims.
"Sexual Abuse: The adult is not interested in the child as a person, at the most as an occasional sex object. Pedophilia:The adult expresses interest in the child's world. There is common ground, even if the contact is only a single event." My grandfather was interested in my world. He was and is a member of my family who loves me and cares about my life, then and now, just as much as the rest of my family who never laid a sexual hand on me do. After the last time he tried anything with me, when I got up the courage to push him out of the room and lock the door behind him, he spoke to me later that day and said "I'm glad you're not scared to be around me." (And the fact that he let me push him out of the room without fighting me obviously proves he wasn't physically forcing me into anything.) Hurting me was not his desire, but it was the result nonetheless. And dealing with how someone who does love you could have hurt you is one of the most difficult things for children, no matter what kind of hurt it is.
"Sexual Abuse: The relationship is not equivalent. In the respect of upbringing or education, there is repression, authority or manipulation. Pedophilia: The aim is to create an equal partnership. In the case of a continued relation it develops to friendship. ... {In pedophilia} The aim is more space to express emotions. Power is balanced. Child and adult share the power." Not really possible. Children are smaller than adults; children are used to being in the control of adults; children are less experienced in dealing with people's behavior. An adult may not be aware of being manipulative, but that doesn't mean they aren't having an effect on the child.
And something that is harmful that is never even mentioned: sexual contact with an older person teaches a child that sex is so important that this older person is willing to risk breaking laws, societal ostracism, and possible harm to the child to have this sexual contact. That's something that sticks in the mind and causes all sorts of problems for the child as they grow up, be it pressuring others for sex because it's so important or assuming it will be as important to others as it was to that older person and forming relationships on that assumption. (I wrote a whole essay on this theme at http://www.segnbora.com/harm.html, using myself and the other people I know who had sexual contact in childhood with people substantially older.) Don't read the psychological treatises; read I Never Told Anyone or other collections of stories from those who feel they were sexually abused, and see how many of their abusers didn't think they were doing any harm.
I'm not saying this idealized pedophilic relationship of SharQ's writeup never happens, but I am saying that it's a lot rarer than contacts made by pedophiles who think they are living that harmless ideal but really aren't, and aren't aware of what happens to those children after they've grown out of the pedophile's attraction to them.
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