Pedophilia?

Question

Is pedophilia a disease that should be eradicated, or a natural, sexual orientation that should be seen as no different to (e.g.)heterosexuality?

Answer 1

I think it's a natural sexual orientation, but unlike homosexuality it can never become widely accepted because it will always involve one (or more) parties who are unable to give informed consent to participate in sexual activities. I think it's deeply unfortunate for those individuals who have the inclination - there's no excuse for those who commit vicious sex crimes, on children or anybody else, but it must be a terrible thing to live with. In an ideal world it would be nice to see a more accepting environment where non-criminal paedophiles could seek help without risking ostracisation and violence against them.

Answer 2

The answer is highly debatable.

I don't see how one can 'eradicate it.' it would be similar to 'eradication schizophrenia.' The problem is, until it is there to be seen, how do you know it is there?

As for the word, 'Natural,' that is a dodgy word or concept too.

Anything that can 'occur to / within' the mind of a human being, is there because it has occurred, and by that token, it is 'natural.'

I don't think it is possible to have an 'unnatural thought' or desire.
Un-Wanted or Un-Acceptable, yes. But not un-natural.

I think the word 'Orientation' comes closest to describing the inclination of a Paedophile, and whether the individual chooses to act on the desire from the inclination...... That is the point society takes its stand and reacts.

A few years back, there was the story of a Paediatrician being somewhere in Latin America doing 'her' research. A child in this small town went missing and although the Doctor made it to the local Police station where the Police summoned Militia as the locals were trying to break in and take their revenge, the reinforcements didn't make it in time.

The Doctor was pulled from the Police station and had just about every bone in her body broken ....though, while this was being done, the missing child turned up, at home. It had been out playing with friends.

Whether this story is true or one of those apocryphal ones, I couldn't say. But the ignorance of people not understanding the difference between a Paedophile and a Paediatrician, is unfortunately not an ‘Apocryphal‘ one.


Acting out of an emotion from a position of ignorance to satisfy a sense of retribution, is really no difference from that of the Paedophile who uses the same trigger mechanism, ’to satisfy an inner justification.’

Just as there are those with a religious fervour to punish none-belivers, their justification mechanism (in their eyes) is no less valid as the desire of many to simply eradicate Paedophiles.

Each being based on a sense of 'Moral Outrage / Justice,' are not both correct?


Sash.

Answer 3

Eradicated?? How is this to be done? Paedophilia is a state of mind, homosexuality is a state of mind, so is bestiality, I could go on!
Where does society draw the line? Homosexuality seems to have been accepted by many in society now, I think that should be 'eradicated' but how? When it was against the law it didn't stop the practise!
I assume that by 'natural' you mean an act which conforms to the 'norm'?
If my g/f enjoys being smacked across the bare bum with wet seaweed, and I enjoy helping her out with this, is that 'normal'? should this be 'eradicated?
There was a time in history when paedophilia was accepted, sex with little boys or girls, also incest, and homosexuality was also 'the norm'!
I find it almost impossible to answer your question as it is written , except to say paedophilia is not a disease but it certainly should be eradicated by whatever means are required, and releasing a paedophile from prison after a couple of years is not the way to do it!!

Answer 4

Whether it is a "disease" or not, it is definitely harmful. So far we don't have a clear understanding of the causes. I do not think sexual desire toward children is chosen, at least in most cases. However, the individual does have the power to act or not act upon this inclination. Some pedophiles, however, say that the impulse is so strong and self-control so weak that they cannot always resist the temptation. This suggests that there is a fundamental lack of connection to human society, a lack of empathy, in many pedophiles. It is not clear how much this is due to abnormal conditions during childhood and how much it is simply innate in the individual. Some pedophiles report that, with surgical or chemical castration, they are able to avoid victimizing children.

Answer 5

Getting away from all the psych talk and everything else. Put it simply, it is wrong. Even a child knows (and learns) the difference between right and wrong. Its not a disease, they are not poor misunderstood individuals who have made poor choices. They are predators. Nothing more, nothing less. Their prey are young vulnerable children. They choose their course of action for their own satisfaction without regards to the costs or damage of others. For a short time of gratification, they can leave a legacy of lifetime of pain, sorrow and guilt on their victims. Is it a disease, no! Some would like to say it is because they are too caring and sharing, and want to fix what is not there with the offenders. What about the victim. The answer, incarceration or chemical castration.

Answer 6

Somebody finding children sexually attractive is not a problem until they start acting on it.
And I don't really know about disease or orientation. From everything you hear in the media it seems to be about power more than anything, just like any other rape.

Answer 7

It's very hard to discuss this topic seriously without getting flamed. I find it difficult to describe it as a disease as it revolves around the concept of age of consent. Whilst this is 16 in our country today, it varies from place to place and has varied through history.

In some parts of the world it's still 12, although I guess we are talking here about ages below that too in which case it's just sick!

I see that as predatory behaviour that should be treated as the severest criminal act and result in castration, with no 'mental health' get outs.

Answer 8

On the face of it it does not seem any different from homosexuality.

Except, I never knew why, the wife or girlfriend could not dress up as schoolgirl, baby, boy or man, and pretend, get the act together in a different way ???

Or vice-versa, if the woman is corrupting little boys, the hubby could dress and behave like a schoolboy ?

Answer 9

Pedophillia (the attraction) is not the issue. The complete disrgard for our society and the measures that are taken to protect children IS the issue.

Personally, have have no issues with anything consenting adults choose to do behind closed doors as long as it does not harm anyone and they are willing to take responsiblity for their actions.

Children do not have the capability to make that choice. People are not prosecuted based on what they THINK or FEEL, but what they DO.

Answer 10

Paedopillia is not a "disease", it's an attraction that is deviant, in that society does not accept it as "normal". It cannot be "cured" any more than your, or my, fondness for one another might be "cured". Not so long ago, if we were of the same sex and I was attracted to you, there were queues of people lining up to "cure" my "deviance". Now we could get "married". I'm not suggesting that paedophillia should be accepted as "normal", just that it should be understood as more complex than a "disease" that can be "cured".