petifiles, are they made this way by choice, due to abuse, or is this a disease?

Question

Are petitiles this way due to abuse, by choice or by an illness?

Answer 1

Do you mean pedophiles? I think they are mentally disturbed and need help. It could have resulted in the way they were treated as a child by a parent, guardian, relative. I feel so sorry for them but at the same time, they disgust me. Either way, they need counseling. It could be both, abuse or choice.

Answer 2

If you mean pedophiles...

There might be a mental illness involved. But these scums are old enough to make choices. And this is definately a choice. I'd say what should be done with them, but I suspect the post would get pulled.

Answer 3

I'm not sure that it is a choice. Do you choose the type of people that you are attracted to? It's their actions that are by choice. I guess it could be considered an illness since alcoholism is considered an illness. The desire will always be there, but it is the action that can be changed.

Answer 4

I really don't know. It is true that a lot of pedophiles were abused themselves as children. It is also true that there is a frighteningly low rate of recovery for these people. Treatment does not seem to help.

Answer 5

What the heck is a petifile? Someone who screws with animals?

Answer 6

It's called pedophile.

Most pedophiles were abused themselves as children. (I don't mean that all abused children are pedophiles, though)

It's not a disease. They choose to do it rather than get help before it starts. It's the vilest crime.

Answer 7

I don't know.

I think often its from them being abused when they are small.
Society valuing skinny young girls as sexy probably contributes to it too.
Also, probably an illness too in most cases.

no excuse for it though, prison I think for the offenders

Answer 8

i think it's due to sexual abuse of them when they were young.
but i could be wrong, it could be a chemical malfunction, like being gay.
ACTING is a choice.

Answer 9

personal opinoin: disease- mental disorder (i think it is treatable)

Answer 10

People with this attraction are called pedophiles.

In contrast to the generally accepted medical definition, the term ''pedophile'' is also used colloquially to denote significantly older adults who are [[Ephebophilia|sexually attracted to adolescents]] below the local [[age of consent]],Ames, A. & Houston, D. A. (1990). "Legal, social, and biological definitions of pedophilia." ''Archives of Sexual Behavior''. '''19''' (4), 333-342. as well as those who have [[child sexual abuse|sexually abused a child]].

==Definitions==
The word comes from the [[Greek language|Greek]] ''paidophilia'' (παιδοφιλία)—''pais'' (παις, "child") and ''philia'' (φιλία, "love, friendship"). ''Paidophilia'' was coined by Greek poets either as a substitute for "paiderastia" ([[pederasty]])Liddell, H.G., and Scott, Robert (1959). ''Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon''. ISBN 0-19-910206-6., or vice versaAnonymous (probably Geigel, Alois. 1869). ''Das Paradoxon der Venus Urania'' ("The paradox of man-manly love"), p. 6. Reprinted as a complete facsimile in Hohmann, Joachim S. (1977). ''Der unterdrückte Sexus'' ("Historical oppression of sexuality"). ISBN 3-87958-712 {{Please check ISBN|3-87958-712 (too short)}} (in German). The anonymous 1869 author had harshly rejected the theories of early LGBT activist [[Karl Heinrich Ulrichs]] whose "filthy pederasty" he contrasted with chaste, "sublime paedophilia" basing both definitions on the classical meaning ''boy'' for ''παις'' instead of the non-classical meaning ''child'', and ''εραστια'' ("erastia") as pure "sexual desire", contrasted with more sublime ''φιλία''.. As ''paederastia'' and ''pederasty'' were used in a derogatory manner since the time of ancient Rome until the mid-20th century due to its exclusive sexual meaning while ''paedophilia'' was not due to the originally more sublime meaning of φιλία in classical Greek compared to εραστια, the latter version of the story might be more likely.

The term '''''paedophilia erotica''''' was coined in [[1886]] by the Vienna psychiatrist [[Richard Freiherr von Krafft-Ebing|Richard von Krafft-Ebing]] in his writing ''[[Psychopathia Sexualis]]''.Krafft-Ebing, Richard von (1886). ''Psychopathia Sexualis''. English translation: ISBN 1-55970-425-X. He gave the following characteristics:

*the sexual interest is toward children, either prepubescent or at the beginning of puberty
*the sexual interest is the primary one, that is, exclusively or mainly toward children
*the sexual interest remains over time

Strictly speaking, this definition would include many adolescents and prepubescents, for whom such an interest might be normal; thus, some experts add the criterion that the interest be toward children at least five years younger than the subject. See entry for sexologist [[John Money|Dr. John Money]].

Krafft-Ebing also categorized child molesters into three types:

*a.) pedophile,
*b.) surrogate (that is, the child is regarded as a [[wikt:surrogate|surrogate]] object for a preferred, non-available adult object)
*c.) sadistic.

Other researchers used their own terms for the Krafft-Ebing categories:

*a.) ''preferential/structured/fixed'' (i. e. pedophile) type,
*b.) ''situational/opportunistic/regressed/incest'' (i. e. surrogate) type
*c.) sadistic (no change)

This three-type model as well as the fundamental mental and behavioural differences of the three types were empirically evidenced, among others, by Kinsey; Howells 1981;Howells, K. (1981). "Adult sexual interest in children: Considerations relevant to theories of aetiology," ''Adult sexual interest in children'', 55-94. Abel, Mittleman & Becker 1985;Abel, G. G., Mittleman, M. S., & Becker, J. V. (1985). "Sex offenders: Results of assessment and recommendations for treatment." In M. H. Ben-Aron, S. J. Hucker, & C. D. Webster (Eds.), ''Clinical criminology: The assessment and treatment of criminal behavior (pp. 207-220). Toronto, Canada: M & M Graphics''. Knight et al. 1985;Knight, R.; Rosenberg, R.; Schneider, B. (1985). "Classification of sex offenders: Perspectives, methods, and validation" In A. W. Burgess (Ed.) ''Rape and sexual assault: A research handbook'' (pp. 222-293). New York: Garland. Brongersma 1990;Edward Brongersma (1990): [http://www.ipce.info/library_3/files/brong_90_frm.htm "Boy-Lovers and Their Influence on Boys: Distorted Research and Anecdotal Observations"] In ''Journal of Homosexuality'' 20 - 1/2 McConaghy 1993;McConaghy, Nathaniel (1993). "Sexual Behaviour: Problems and Management", 312, New York: Plenum Ward et al. 1995;Ward, T., Hudson, S. M., Marshall, W. L., & Siegert, R. J. (1995). "Attachment style and intimacy deficits in sexual offenders: A theoretical framework." In ''Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment'', 7, 317-334. Hoffmann 1996;Hoffmann, R. (1996). "Die Lebenswelt des Pädophilen: Rahmen, Rituale und Dramaturgie der pädophilen Begegnung" (''Paedophile conduct: Context, rituals, and choreography of paedophile contacts''). Opladen: Westdeutscher Verlag (in German) Seikowski 1999.Seikowski, K. (1999). [http://www.itp-arcados.net/sonder/leipzig/vortrag.leipzig1999se.html "Pädophilie: Definition, Abgrenzung und Entwicklungsbedingungen"] ("Paedophilia: Definition, distinguishing features, and aetiology") In ''Sexualmedizin'' 21, pp. 327-332 (in German)

Use of the term ''pedophile'' to describe all child sexual offenders is seen as problematic by some people,Edwards, M. (1997) "Treatment for Paedophiles; Treatment for Sex Offenders." ''Paedophile Policy and Prevention, Australian Institute of Criminology Research and Public Policy Series'' (12), 74-75.Underwager, Ralph and Wakefield, Hollida (1995). "[http://www.ipt-forensics.com/library/special_problems.htm Special Problems with Sexual Abuse Cases]: [http://www.ipt-forensics.com/library/special_problems12.htm Assessment of the Accused Adult]." In J. Ziskin (Ed.) ''Coping With Psychiatric and Psychological Testimony'' (Fifth Edition). Los Angeles: Law and Psychology Press. pp. 1315-1370. ISBN 1-879689-07-3Feierman, J. (1990). "Introduction" and "A Biosocial Overview," ''Pedophilia: Biosocial Dimensions'', 1-68. especially when viewed from a medical standpoint, as the majority of sex crimes against children are perpetrated by [[situational offender]]s rather than people sexually preferring prepubertal children.Joint submission from the Northern Territory Government and Police, 9 March 1995, page 4. Cited in "[http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/acc_ctte/completed_inquiries/pre1996/ncapedo/report/c02.htm Organised Criminal Paedophile Activity]." 14.8% of the sample were assessed to be pedophiles.DiLorenzo, JoAnn (1981). "How a prominent Ware attorney preyed on troubled boys," ''They Valley Advocate'', quoting the FBI's Kenneth Lanning, who estimates that only 10% of child sex offenders are preferential.Marshall, W.L., Barbaree, H.E., and Eccles, A. (1991). "Early onset and deviant sexuality in child molesters," ''Journal of Interpersonal Violence'', 6(3), 323-336. 33.8% of the sample showed arousal to children. Nevertheless, some researchers, such as Howard E. Barbaree,Barbaree, H. E., and Seto, M. C. (1997). Pedophilia: Assessment and Treatment. ''Sexual Deviance: Theory, Assessment, and Treatment''. 175-193. have endorsed the use of actions as a sole criterion for the diagnosis of pedophilia as a means of taxonomic simplification, rebuking the [[American Psychiatric Association]]'s standards as "unsatisfactory".

Some individuals,Musk, H., and Swetz, A. (1997). "Pedophilia in the correctional system," ''Corrections Today'', 59(5), 24–28. "Pedophilia is a sexual orientation characterized by sexual attraction to children."Jones, G. (1990). "The Study of Intergenerational Intimacy in North America: Beyond Politics and Pedophilia," ''Journal of Homosexuality'', 20(1-2), 288. "Intergenerational attraction on the part of some adults could constitute a lifestyle 'orientation', rather than a pathological maladjustment." such as Dr. Fred S. Berlin,Edwards, Douglas J. (2004). ''[http://archives.behavioral.net/Past_Issues.htm?ID=3253 Mental Health's Cold Shoulder Treatment of Pedophilia]'' in Behavioral Health Management, May-June.Berlin, Fred (2000). "Treatments to Change Sexual Orientation," ''American Journal of Psychiatry'', Vol 157. assert sexual attraction to children to be a [[sexual orientation]] in itself. Berlins asserts, "I think it can be both a disorder and an orientation."Flanagan, Russ (2004). "[http://www.nj.com/specialprojects/expresstimes/index.ssf?/news/expresstimes/stories/molesters1_otherside.html "I'm tired of being forced into the shadows by society,"] ''The Express-Times'', 22 February. Dan Markussen, spokesman for [[Danish Pedophile Association]], argues that "sexual orientation is defined as a lifelong attraction, which pedophilia obviously is."

==Diagnosis==
The ''[[ICD|International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems]]'' (F65.4) defines pedophilia as "a sexual preference for children, boys or girls or both, usually of prepubertal or early pubertal age."World Health Organization, International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10. § F65.4

The [[American Psychiatric Association|APA]]'s ''[[Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders]]'' 4th edition, Text Revision gives the following as its "Diagnostic criteria for 302.2 Pedophilia":American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fourth edition), § 302.2

*Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child or children (generally age 13 years or younger).
*The person has acted on these urges, or the sexual urges or fantasies cause marked distress or interpersonal difficulty.
*The person is at least age 16 years and at least 5 years older than the child or children in Criterion A.
Do not include an individual in late adolescence involved in an ongoing sexual relationship with a 12 or 13-year-old.

The actual boundaries between childhood and [[adolescence]] may vary in individual cases and are difficult to define in rigid terms of age. The [[World Health Organization]], for instance, defines adolescence as the period of life between 10 and 19 years of age,Goodburn, Elizabeth A., and Ross, David A. (1995). "A Picture of Health: A Review and Annotated Bibliography of the Health of Young People in Developing Countries." Published by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. though it is most often defined as the period of life between the ages of 13 and 18.

The APA diagnostic criteria do not require actual sexual activity with a child. The diagnosis can therefore be made based on the presence of ''fantasies'' or ''sexual urges'' alone, provided the subject meets the remaining criteria.

==Extent of occurrence==
The extent to which pedophilia occurs is not known with any certainty. Some studies have concluded that at least a quarter of all adult men may have some feelings of sexual arousal in connection with children.Freund, K. and Costell, R. (1970). "The structure of erotic preference in the nondeviant male." ''Behaviour Research & Therapy'' '''8''' (1), 15-20.
Quinsey, V. L. et al. (1975). "Penile circumference, skin conductance, and ranking responses of child molesters and 'normals' to sexual and nonsexual visual stimuli." ''Behavior Therapy.'' '''6''', 213-219. Freund et al. (1972) remarked that "with males who have no deviant object preferences, clearly positive sexual reactions occur to [nude] 6- to 8-year old female children."Freund, Kurt; McKnight, C. K.; Langevin, R.; and Cibiri, S. (1972). "The female child as a surrogate object." '' Archives of Sexual Behavior.'' '''2''', (2), 119-133.

In 1989 Briere and Runtz conducted a study on 193 male [[undergraduate]] students concerning pedophilia. Of the sample, 21% acknowledged sexual attraction to some small children; 9% reported sexual fantasies involving children; 5% admitted [[masturbation|masturbating]] to these fantasies; and 7% conceded some probability of actually having [[human sexual behavior|sex]] with a child if they could avoid detection and punishment. These sexual interests were associated with negative early sexual experiences, masturbation to pornography, self-reported likelihood of raping a woman, frequent sex partners, and attitudes supportive of sexual dominance over women. The authors also noted that "given the probable social undesirability of such admissions, [one could] hypothesize that the actual rates ... were even higher."Briere, J. and Runtz, M. (1989) "[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2706562&dopt=Abstract University males' sexual interest in children: predicting potential indices of "pedophilia" in a nonforensic sample."] ''Child Abuse & Neglect'', 13 ('''1'''), 65-67.

A study by Hall et al. of Kent State University found that 32.5% of their sample — 80 adult male volunteers, 20% of whom reported some attraction to prepubescent girls — exhibited sexual arousal to heterosexual pedophilic stimuli that equaled or exceeded their arousal to the adult stimuli.Hall, G. C. N. et al. (1995) [http://www.ipce.info/ipceweb/Library/97-048_article.html "Sexual Arousal and Arousability to Pedophilic Stimuli in a Community Sample of Normal Men"] ''Behavior Therapy.'' '''26''', 681-694.

===Occurrence in child sex offenders===
A perpetrator of [[child sexual abuse]] is, despite all medical definitions, commonly assumed to be a pedophile, and referred to as such; however, there may be other motivations for the crime (such as stress, marital problems, or the unavailability of an adult partner),Howells, K. (1981). "Adult sexual interest in children: Considerations relevant to theories of aetiology," ''Adult sexual interest in children'', 55-94. much as adult [[rape]] can have non-sexual reasons. Thus, child sexual abuse alone may or may not be an indicator that its perpetrator is a pedophile; most perpetrators of it are in fact not primarily interested in children.Lanning, Kenneth (2001). ''[http://www.missingkids.com/en_US/publications/NC70.pdf Child Molesters: A Behavioral Analysis]'' (Third Edition). National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Those who have committed [[sex crime|sexual crimes]] against children, but do not meet the normal diagnosis criteria for pedophilia, are referred to as ''[[situational offender|situational]]'', ''opportunistic'', or ''regressed offenders'', whereas offenders primarily attracted toward children are called ''structured'', ''preferential'', or ''fixated pedophiles'', as their orientation is fixed by the structure of their personality. It is estimated that only 2 to 10 percent of child sexual abuse perpetrators meet the regular criteria for pedophilia. (Kinsey-Report, Lautmann, Brongersma, Groth).

As noted by Abel, Mittleman, and BeckerAbel, G. G., Mittleman, M. S., & Becker, J. V. (1985). "Sex offenders: Results of assessment and recommendations for treatment." In M. H. Ben-Aron, S. J. Hucker, & C. D. Webster (Eds.), ''Clinical criminology: The assessment and treatment of criminal behavior'' (pp. 207-220). Toronto, Canada: M & M Graphics. (1985) and Ward et al. (1995), there are generally large characteristical distinctions between the two types of offenders. Situational offenders tend to offend at times of stress; have a later onset of offending; have fewer, often familial victims; and have a general preference for adult partners. Pedophilic offenders, however, often start offending at an early age; often have a large number of victims who are frequently extrafamilial; are more appetitively driven to offend; and have values or beliefs that strongly support an offense lifestyle.

Most cases of father-daughter [[incest]] are believed to involve fathers who are situational offenders, rather than pedophiles.Quinsey, V. L. (1977). "The assessment and treatment of child molesters: A review." ''Canadian Psychological Review.'' '''18''', 204-220. Attempts have been made to use "profiling" to identify pedophiles, however, these methods have come under sharp criticism for making claims that are far in excess of what the evidence supports.Campbell, Terence W., The Reliability and Validity of Gardner's Indicators of Pedophilia. Issues in Child Abuse Accusations (5), online at http://www.ipt-forensics.com/journal/volume5/j5_3_4.htm

==Treatment==

A number of proposed treatment techniques for pedophilia have been developed. Many regard pedophilia as highly resistant to psychological interference and have dismissed as ineffective most "reparative strategies."Crawford, David (1981). "Treatment approaches with pedophiles." ''Adult sexual interest in children''. 181-217. Others, such as Dr. Fred Berlin, believe pedophilia can "indeed be successfully treated," if only the medical community would give it more attention. The reported success rate of modern "reparative" treatment on pedophiles is very low.

===Non-medical therapies===

Treatment strategies for pedophilia include a "12 step support system," parallel to addiction therapy, though such a system is generally regarded as the least efficacious method of treatment.{{fact}}

Another approach is [[cognitive-behavioral therapy]]. Usually, this is done by telling the pedophile to fantasize about sexual contact with children, and then, once aroused, they are given instructions to imagine the assumed legal and social consequences of such an action.{{fact}}

===Medical therapies===

Anti-androgenic medications such as [[Depo Provera]] may be used to lower testosterone levels, and are often used in conjunction with the non-medical approaches above. This is commonly referred to as "chemical castration."

Other programs induce an association of illegal behavior with pain by means of the more controversial [[aversion therapy]], in which the pedophile is given an electric shock while fantasizing.[http://whyfiles.org/154pedophile/2.html "Can pedophiles be treated?"] Whyfiles.org A study by the Council on Scientific Affairs found that the success rate of aversion therapy was parallel to that of homosexual [[reparative therapy]].Council on Scientific Affairs of the American Medical Association (1987). "Aversion therapy," Journal of the American Medical Association, 258(18), 2562-2565. This method is rarely used on pedophiles who have not offended.

Convicted sex offenders, including many pedophiles and homosexuals, have been treated by the psychosurgical procedure commonly known as [[Leucotomy|lobotomization]]. Psychosurgery has long been controversial, particularly the historical use of surgical intervention on homosexuals given that homosexuality is no longer considered a mental illness by the psychiatric community (see for instance Rieber ''et al.'' 1976;Rieber, I. ''et al.'' (1976). "Stellungnahme zu stereotaktischen Hirnoperationen an Menschen mit abweichendem Sexualverhalten" (''Statement on stereotactical brain surgery performed on people exhibiting deviant sexual behaviour''), ''Monatsschrift Kriminologie'' ("Criminological monthly"), no. 59, pp. 216-222. (in German) Sigusch 1977;Sigusch, V. (1977). "Medizinische Experimente am Menschen: Das Beispiel Psychochirurgie; Beiwerk des Jahrbuchs für kritische Medizin, Bd. 2" (''Medical experiments in human: Example neurosurgery; supplement of the Annual of Critical Medicine, vol. 2''). (in German) Rieber & Sigusch 1979;Rieber, I. & Sigusch, V. (1979). "Psychosurgery on sex offenders and sexual 'deviants' in West Germany", ''Archives of Sexual Behaviour'', no. 8, pp 523-527 Schorsch & Schmidt 1979)Schorsch, E & Schmidt, G. (1979). "Hypatholomie bei sexuellen Abweichungen - Eine Kritik aus sexualwissenschaftlicher Sicht" (''Hypothalamotomy in cases of sexual deviance: A criticism from a sexuological perspective'')

[[Thalamotomy]] is an alternative surgical treatment of sex offenders in practice since the problems with leucotomy have been commonly known (see Greist 1990;Greist, J. H. (1990). "Treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder: Psychotherapies, drugs, and other somatic treatment", ''Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, no. 5 (Suppl.), 44-50. Diering & Bell 1991;Diering, S. L. & Bell, W. O. (1991). "Functional neurosurgery for psychiatric disorders: A historical perspective", ''Stereotactical Functional Neurosurgery'', no. 57, 175-194.' Hay & Sachdev 1992;Hay, P. J. & Sachdev, P. S. (1992). "The present status of psychosurgery in Australia and New Zealand", ''Medical Journal of Australia'', no. 157, 17-19 Rappaport 1992;Rappaport, Z. H. (1992). "Psychosurgery in the modern era: Therapeutic and ethical aspects", ''Medical Law'', no. 11, 449-453 de la Porte 1993;Porte, C. de la (1993). "Technial possibilities and limitations of stereotaxy", ''Acta Neurochirurgica'', no. 124, 3-6 Poynton 1993;Poynton, A. M. (1993). "Current state of psychosurgery", ''British Journal of Hospital Medicine'', no. 40, 408-411 Bridges ''et al.'' 1994;Bridges, P. K. ''et al'' (1994). "Psychosurgery: Stereotactic subcaudate tractomy. An indispensable treatment", ''British Journal of Psychiatry'', no. 165, 599-611 Cummings ''et al.'' 1995)Cummings, S. ''et al.'' (1995). "Neuropsychological outcome from psychosurgery for obsessive-compulsive disorder", ''Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry'', no. 29, 33-39 and is increasingly advertized as an "effective therapy" for sex offenders (as well as for some children suffering from symptoms of child sexual abuse, since the 1980s (see for instance Andy 1970;Andy, O. J. (1970). "Thalamotomy in hyperactive and aggressive behaviour", ''Conf. Neurol.'', no. 32, 322-325 Bradford 1988a;Bradford, J. M. W. (1988). "Organic treatment for the male sexual offender", Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci., no. 528, 193-202 Wyre & Swift 1991;Wyre, R. & Swift, A. (1991): " 'Und bist du nicht willig...': Die Täter" (''"Don't fight it...": Sexual offenders''), Köln/Germany: Volksblattverlag (in German) Abel ''et al.'' 1992;Abel. G. G. ''et al.'' (1992). "Current treatments of paraphiliacs", Ann. Rev. Sex. Res., no. 3, 255-290 Bridges ''et al.'' 1994; Cummings ''et al.'' 1995). As [http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3439.htm| Levey and Curfman] have noted, however, given the availability of psychopharmacological treatment options, psychosurgical interventions are not likely to be employed given their extreme side effects and irreversible nature. See the same article for an in depth review of treatment options and diagnostic criteria.
Additionally Reid 2002 writes that neurosurgery for sex offenders is "essentially unavailable" in the United States and that data on its use is sparse.Reid (2002). "Sexual Predator Evaluations
and Commitments", Journal of Psychiatric Practice Vol. 8, No. 5

===Criticisms of treatment strategies===

Sigusch 2001Sigusch, V. (2001). "Organotherapien bei sexuellen Perversionen und sexueller Delinquenz" ("Organic therapies in sexual perversions and sexual delinquency"), Sigusch, V. (ed.). ''Sexuelle Störungen und ihre Behandlung'' ("Sexual disorders and their treatments"), pp. 517-537, Stuttgart/New York: Georg Thieme Verlag (in German). and others criticize the moral pressure put upon sex offenders continuously until the present day by offering them amnesty in return for such non-standardized brain surgery under whatever name where the surgeon is free to remove as much of the offender's [[cerebrum]] as he pleases, a therapy which according to Sigusch 2001 consecutively leads to complete physical destruction of the individual organism (or increasing exhibition of violent behaviour even if there was none before) since according to Sigusch 2001 no successes are observed after each single surgery and surgeons generally regard that the therapy will be more successful the more brain mass will be removed (see also Andy 1970). Balasubramaniam ''et al.'' 1969Balasubramaniam, V. ''et al.'' (1969). "Sedative neurosurgery", ''J. Ind. Med. Assoc., no. 53, 377-381'' speak of this neurosurgery used on sex offenders as a "sedative" strategy "where a patient is made quiet and manageable by an operation".

Criticisms of therapies for pedophiles as well as theoretical models of no potential for their therapy mostly stem from the finding of some studies that pedophiles exhibit no clinically pathological traits other than the direction of their sexual preference, a fact that is very rare among all other classified paraphilias and mental illnessesVogt, Horst (2006): ''Pädophilie - Leipziger Studie zur gesellschaftlichen und psychischen Situation pädophiler Männer'' ("Paedophilia - Leipzig study on the societal and psychological situation of paedophile males"), Lengerich, Germany: Pabst Science Publishers. ISBN 3-89967-323-9 (in German) where the pathological aetiological characteristics causing deviant behaviour are commonly therapied. As these pathological aetiological characteristics cannot be evidenced in pedophiles, common therapy models fail on them.

Vogt 2006 states that even on an international scale only 2 scientific studies have ever been made on distinctly pathological mental characteristics of pedophiles before 2006 that were methodologically correct, naming these as Bernard 1982;Bernard, Frits (1982): "Der Pädophile: Allgemeine Untersuchung einer Gruppe" (''Paedophiles: General examination of a group''), Bernard, Frits. ''Kinderschänder? - Pädophilie, von der Liebe mit Kindern'' ("Child molesters? Paedophilia, on childlove"), 61-80, Berlin: Foerster Verlag. (in German) Wilson & Cox 1983.Wilson, G. D. & Cox, D. N. (1983). [http://www.ipce.info/host/wilson_83/index.html ''The child lovers: A study of paedophiles in society''], London: Peter Owen. Vogt 2006 re-confirmed identical results as Bernard 1982; Wilson & Cox 1983. No pathological characteristics could be found for pedophiles other than the direction of their sexual preference which all three studies explicitly suggest to be up for debate as not pathological especially in light of their findings. The only significant deviance from the norm other than sexual preference that could be found by all three studies was higher mean level of education of pedophiles compared to the average population, while all three studies also opt strongly for distinguishing between clinical and forensical studies made of individuals mostly stigmatized, often traumatized by their current surroundings, and non-clinical, non-forensical studies.

These conclusions are in conflict with those of other researchers, who have found that pedophiles exhibit "many psychiatric features beyond deviant sexual desire, including high rates of comorbid axis I disorders (affective disorders, substance use disorders, impulse control disorders, other paraphilias) as well as severe axis II psychopathology (especially antisocial and Cluster C personality disorders)."Cohen, L.J. & Galynker, I.I. (2002): "Clinical features of pedophilia and implications for treatment.", ''Journal of Psychiatric Practice'' Beyond his criticism of clinical and forensic studies, Vogt 2006 replies to this that many, if not most studies diagnose pedophilia merely on the grounds of offenses instead of going through the effort of distinguishing the three categories of offenders via psychological examination and analysis.