Is child molestation a mental illness or sexual orientation?

Answer 1

It's a CRIME.

Answer 2

It seems that sexual deviation is first called a preference, then evolves into an orientation as a group forms and lobbies for social acceptance. In this case, groups such as NAMBLA are doing so, and various countries are allowing sexual relations to be legal at ages as low as 12, with even Canada having an age of consent of 14 (NAMBLA has been defended against lawsuit by the ACLU). This is not technically pedophilia, but is an acknowledgement that sexual activity with children (as opposed to other adults) is an acceptable activity. This seems to suggest that it is being viewed as an orientation, although the APA and other psychological groups have not yet removed it from the domain of mental illness. Studies are being produced which will allow them to do so in the near future. Eventually, it will probably become acceptable to some part of society beyond the groups that practice it, as a form of "diversity", especially since it has been known to be a practice of native groups in other countries for centuries.

My last source is an article about how the taboo against pedophilia is continuing to erode. The transition from deviant preference to orientation, appears to be concluding with a push to legitimize marriage with children too young to produce children of their own (already practice for a long time in some cultures), producing a non-reproductive marital relationship, further legitimizing the gratification of sexual desires as a basis for a social unit. Clearly, a mental illness would not be a good justification for a marriage, so as society proceeds in this direction, it is legitimizing child molestation as a sexual orientation, which should not be judged but accepted as part of the normal spectrum of human behavior.

Answer 3

Most likely it is a mental illness.

Normal human mentality is to protect our young, so that the species survives. If this wasn't normal human mentality, we'd be extinct by now. Most animals do protect their young.

Child molestation defintley does not protect our young -- rather it turns them into wrecks, often incapable of functioning properly. It is against normal human mentatliy -- therefore, it is a mental illness.

Answer 4

More closely related to mental illness. I believe it is related to abuse, self-esteem issues, and a need for control. I think most offenders are offended by some method of abuse...either directly or indirectly. The abuse causes low self-esteem which manifests itself in a need for external control. The danger becomes when the need for control becomes who they are and overtakes all compassion.

The only solution that I can foresee...make the problem as public as possible...1 out of 4 children are violated...so if they all felt free to speak...violaters would feel less secure about violating because they prey on the weak and it would lessen the shame and fear violated children would feel.

Answer 5

Its a mental illness which has caused such a sexual orientation.

Answer 6

I would go with both. Why is there so much of it? If people would spend more time figuring out why instead of "punishing" we may be able to reduce it.
Honestly, how many people grow up thinking "I want to have sex with a child?"
At some point something changes.

Answer 7

Neither. It's the combination of psychological scar based on perceived sexual trauma and a decreased level of moral intuitions.

Answer 8

I think it is a bit of both because you don't have to be mentally ill to do sick things. And secondly pedophille isn't a sickness so..

Answer 9

Does it matter? It ruins the lives of those that are victims.. I would say that its a mental illness. Its not curable.

Answer 10

I believe it is a mental illness..

Answer 11

mental illness.