Is paedophilia a mental illness or a choice?

Answer 1

I think a bit of both.
Often, there is something in the peds background that has given them an insecurity about mature women.
'rehab' programs in the US have shown that there is a high rate of re-offending amongst pedos, which would _tend to suggest_ that there is an in-built mental problem, rather than a simple choice to go after under-age girls

Answer 2

If one is sexually attracted, is that not choice - and does it not become a mental illness when the person who has these attractions will do ANYTHING to find young people for sex? Looks like a mixture of both, but 'choice' as bad as that is will only become an 'illness' if the child realises what is happening and try to avoid the adult - but without success as the paedophile will see him/her as a 'goal' and won't stop until they have the child.

Sarah - this is apparently something paedophiles are good at; showing us that they are now safe to be amongst homo sapien, no matter what age...and will be released from whatever clinic to regress from the first day of release.

Answer 3

The root cause of pedophilia is, as with homosexuality, wiring in the brain. Its a mental illness but action on the impulses it brings is very much a choice.

No matter what though, pedophiles are miscreations and should be treated as such.

Answer 4

My view is its mental but with a genetic dispostion to it. That is not to say that a persons parents or ancesters were that way inclined just that they are potentialy prone to be affected if certain factors come into play. Also I think it is a matter of choice. These persons know that it is wrong but still choose to do it. Either way it comes about our children must be protected from it. You posed a very difficult question I hope you get some good answers.

Answer 5

Pedophilia is a mental illness. It occurs in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for mental illnesses in category 302.2. The diagnostic criteria are as follow:

Diagnostic criteria for 302.2 Pedophilia

A. 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).

B. The person has acted on these urges, or the sexual urges or fantasies cause marked distress or interpersonal difficulty.

C. The person is at least age 16 years and at least 5 years older than the child or children in Criterion A.

Note: Do not include an individual in late adolescence involved in an ongoing sexual relationship with a 12- or 13-year-old.

Specify if:

Sexually Attracted to Males
Sexually Attracted to Females
Sexually Attracted to Both

Specify if:

Limited to Incest

Specify type:

Exclusive Type (attracted only to children)
Nonexclusive Type

It is about as much a choice as bipolar or schizophrenia are.

Answer 6

I have a hard time believing that it is a choice, but in some instances it may be. I believe that it is a mental illness caused by being exposed to a dysfunctional environment when one is developing. I could also be caused by being abused as a child and a way to take out anger felt on another child.

Answer 7

Mental illnesses can either be cured or learnt how not to suffer from them. Paedophilla is just pure evil that no one can put into a catergory - It will never be cured or learnt to live with.

Most people with mental illnesses will never harm anyone - paedophiles harm and kill all the time.

They should be destroyed much the same as you would destroy a dog that bites

Answer 8

I'd say thinking about it can be because of a mental illness but actually acting on it is a choice

Answer 9

It's choice.
While mental illness is obviously a factor, a choice is made to pursue this fetish.

I'm just not buying 'uncontrollable urges.'
I'm able to control my urge to choke the crap out of a few people who desperately need it, richly deserve it, and ask for it regularly.
I choose not to do this because the consequences do not appeal to me.

Pedophiles do not expect to be face consequences because their victims are easy for them to intimidate, especially after they've terrorized them.

Further more, they know if they are caught, a conviction isn't likely because their victims will be scared and traumatized. At the absolute worse, they'll be "rehabilitated" (right), told to never do this again, and maybe forced to apologize.

That sex-offender's registry is a joke; they do what they want same as anyone else.

This is the most selfish act of self gratification, and these individuals need to be put down like the diseased sub-humans that they are instead of coddling the great steaming dung-heaps for their dreadful childhoods as our society does.

Answer 10

It is not a mental illness in my eyes. If you are mentally ill they can stop you going behind bars. Paedophiia is a choice. People choose to do those things it is an impulse they act upon and because it is a choice they choose to show no remorse