Is paedophelia - a sexual attraction to pre-pubescent children, natural?

Question

The reason I ask this question in the "gay" section is not because I think there is any connection between homosexuality and paedophelia - there isn't, but rather because there have been several answers in the gay section recently suggesting that homosexuality is "natural". If that is the case then how can paedophelia, another form of sexual diversion from the "normal" mode of reproductive sex, not also be "natural".

By natural I mean is it seen in nature - environments where humans/animals interact without the influence of artificial laws and constraints.

I refer to paedophelia as the sexual inclination towards children, not the act of abusing them, or hurting/killing them (which I find abhorrant).

Oh and I am not one, by the way.

Answer 1

This is a complex issue, and as such it requires adequate research that I shall not even have pretended to have undertaken, but I shall do my best to describe it as I can see it.

I would say that first, to be a paedophile, there are several factors that come into play. First of all, it would be necessary to establish the cause of of a paedophiles attraction to pre-pubescent children. If it is caused by some biological reason (possibly neurological) is this caused by some defect in brain organisation, hormone levels (leading to sexual overdrive or misdirection), or possibly some neurological deterioration caused by peri-natal exposure to a virus, such as influenza A (as has been suggested for other unorthodox behaviours such as schizophrenia)?

Furthermore, there is a compelling amount of evidence to suggest that the majority of paedophiles suffered from a turbulant or unhappy childhood, many of them having been victims of abuse themselves. This would suggest that paedophilia is a result of interactions with society and at least partially dependant on environmental factors.

I guess the most important point here is to distinguish between the act of homosexuality and the act of paedophilia (which, as you can obviously see are different) by simply clarifying the other differences in the relationship besides the similarity of an impossibility of pro-creation. An adult homosexual relationship where both partners are consenting to any intercourse or sexual activity taking place has actually been shown through reasearch to be more stable and loving than a relationship between two co-habiting heterosexuals (possibly because of the stigma of homosexuality i.e. homosexuals must care more in order to proclaim their love for one-another). If we look back to homo-erectus, when man started walking upright and hunting, it is notable that he could impregnate many women, while a woman could only be involved in one pregnancy at a time. While men moved from woman-to-woman, some stability in their lives and an outlet for sexual energy and opening the possibilities of further sexual pleasure could possibly be found in male-male relations, especially during hunting trips which may run on over a period of days or even weeks.

It should also be noted that homosexual occurs in many species of animal, while paedophilia is not common, occuring really only in human beings - until an animal reaches sexual maturation, it seems that in the animal Kingdom there is considered to be little point in it engaging in sexual activity.

Sex, of course, serves more than one purpose - it's not just about 'sewing the wild oats' or 'hatching your podlings'. In modern society, it is considered an expression of love and trust, or, in cases of one-night stands, evidence of an ability in conquests - a competition, if you like. However, paedophilia does neither of these - it is mentally damaging to the child, is potentially harmful (and therefor damaging to the survival of the human special) and is potentially damaging to the paedophile, too - they could risk removing further chances of reproduction through incarceration.

There are also many homeless and orphaned children in the world, and these children must be cared for in order for the human species to continue to progress. With many women now choosing not to have children, but to have careers instead, and many giving up children (which was not common practice in by-gone era's, unless the children were killed or left to die) homosexual relationships also have an invaluable contribution to modern society - gay couples choosing to adopt provide much needed secure and loving homes for children in desperate need of them.

In todays modern world, we are also re-defining what natural is, thanks to a stronger emphasis on social legistlation from governments and therefor more chance for people to be socialized into their societies. With a more and more effective criminal liability and punishment system, we are changing what is and is not 'natural' by creating our own socially reinforced standards. Rape can result in procreation, but by todays standards, is not considered natural. Oral sex and other sexual play that does not result in reproduction however, are considered completely natural, healthy and normal for two persons of legal age who consent.

Answer 2

Don't know if it is 'natural' or not - it may turn out that some chemical component in the brain makes them this way -perhaps they are born with it or some incident in childhood that altered said brain chemistry - is the cause then 'natural'? In other words, the attraction may not be a result of conscious will.

Regardless of the cause, acting on such attraction can not be allowed in society because of the damage it does to children. Someone convicted of paedophelia should, in my opinion, be put away for life.

Answer 3

Well, as you specified that you take normal to mean "occurs in nature" then I would have to say yes, it is natural, because it does occur, in humans at least, I have no idea about whether it occurs in other animals. However, I would not say this is a "normal" or common sexual inclination, and it is one to be treated with great care because it is quite a sensitive and controversial topic. Unfortunately, many if not most paedophiles are child molesters and so paedophilia is strongly frowned upon by the majority of society. Because pre-pubescant children are not legally eligible to be 'consenting adults', any form of paedophilial interaction is considered molestation or statutory rape, and most of the time it is abusive, because paedophiles have no other real option. I try not to judge people on basis of their sexual orientation, and I think that paedophilia in itself is an unfortunate thing because those affected by it are often frustrated and upset by their feelings, but I don't think that it is in itself wrong. The only thing that is wrong is molestation and sexual abuse, because this actually harms another human being, an innocent child. I am not a paedophile myself (I am a 16-year-old bisexual), but I do sympathise with them and pray for them, and hope that they would be able to find solace without hurting or abusing children.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Perhaps paedophilia is natural, but the difference is that it is not morally right as it is extremely emotionally & physically harmful to poor, helpless children. I was abused from the age of 4 by my step father, so I feel very strongly about this subject but I also happen to be a lesbian & I just don't see how my loving relationship with my long term female partner equates to what goes on in the mind & life of a paedophile.

Answer 6

I'm going to take this seriously and ignore the obvious homophobic undertones.

As animal behaviour is based on instincts and sexual activity in the animal kingdom is preceded by the release of pheromones (sex hormones) and overtly sexual behaviour by the animal (e.g. a cat calling), until the animal reaches sexual maturity they won't be releasing those hormones or exhibiting that behaviour, so no it's not natural in the animal kingdom for an sexually mature adult to want to copulate with a pre-pubescent animal. It doesn't happen in nature.

Answer 7

No! feeling attracted to children is not natural, it is sick and twisted. Being gay cannot be compaired to this because they like someone of the same sex. consenting and feelings that are requited. Child victims do not have sexual feelings towards their attackers nor do they consent. Having any sexual inclination towards a child is abnormal and unnatural. A child is not developed, not sexual, does not match a person on a intellectual level. A child needs protection, love and teaching, anyone who thinks or feels that it should be in a sexual way has a disordered warped personality and needs to be put to sleep for the good of all.

Answer 8

On any subject you can name 'normal' is just another word for 'majority'. Anything else is to be ridiculed by that majority. Some things don't have to be written down in Law . A person knows in his/her own heart and mind whether something is right or wrong. Paedophiles should have the choice of being chemically castrated or locked up for life. As for 'gays', obviously it isn't 'natural'. Man was designed to reproduce. The function of the anus is to defecate. People can't help how their minds think though. To each their own as long as they are adults.

Answer 9

If you perceive gays and straights as being natural, then why oh why did you not ask this within a general section, rather than pinpoint gay people? I've seen your remark about other questions indicating that gay sexuality is natural, and I assume that you believe this to be true for gays, bisexuals and straights. If this is the case, there is no specific reason to target this community alone. If you believe that a taste for chocolate over cheese is natural, would you have asked it in a food section?

Gay people are frequently very unhappy - and quite understandably so, at being associated with pedophiles, who have no connection with them whatsoever.

Please move your offensive questions elsewhere.

Good luck! Rob

Answer 10

i believe in most cases it is natural and is similar to being gay in the sense that gay people have been born with a different sexual urge to the norm and i believe paedophiles are the same except they are attracted to children.
What IS different however, is that 2 gay adults are together through mutual consent whereas a paedophile forces their victim to perform against their will.
Although they may not be able to control who they are attracted to,I believe that convicted paedophiles should be at the very least, castrated in order to protect children and I do not believe that rehabilitation is sucessful in dealing with paedophiles for the reason that it IS a natural urge that they cant change.

Answer 11

Are Romney supporters so incredibly stupid that they don't see how calling Reid a pedophile can backfire in a big way and bite their candidate in the ***? You might view it as tit-for-tat given what Reid said about Romney's tax returns. But calling him a child molester in response won't sit well with most Americans. It is a heinous charge that, if it gets tied to Romney and he doesn't distance himself from it, can hurt him in the polls. Do you really want to see a situation where reporters are asking Romney if he thinks that Harry Reid is a child molester? How is that going to go down with the undecided voters? There is no way that Romney can make "tax returns = child molestation" sound reasonable.