maybe i'm the only one bothered by it, actually i'd rather start off saying i've met some cool, insightful people on this site and enjoy the forums but one thing that bothers me about this site is the undertones of pedophilia that sometimes pop up in some threads. i think adult sexuality and pedophilia shouldn't coexist and certainly shouldn't be permitted to be promoted on the site. i understand some people post relevant questions about explaining reproductive organs to their children, but if you read other threads it seems to blatantly fall in line with fantasies about children's sexuality (which should not exist, child+sex=problems). anyway here's an interesting article i saw posted on pedophilia and its presence on the web.
Is pedophilia a disease? A good number of internet bloggers seem to reject this idea. The scientific evidence says otherwise. Pedophilia is both a disease and a criminal behavior according to experts. Pedophilia is recognized as a disease by the World Health Organization and Psychiatric Associations worldwide. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) defines pedophilia as a mental disorder (paraphilia) and a criminal behavior. A recent APA statement (2003) clarifies the diagnostic criteria. We can disagree with this view but mental health professionals work within this framework. For details see APA statement [Note 1]
The actual prevalence of pedophilia is unknown because few pedophiles voluntarily seek treatment and because most of the available data are based on individuals who have become involved with the legal system. It is unknown how many individuals have pedophilic fantasies and never act on them or who do act but are never caught [Note 2] Similar cases of pedophilia are expected among us.
How we -as a public forum- protect potential victims? Demonizing pedophiles is just an initial emotional response -understandable in cases like this- but hardly effective in the long term [Note 3] What can we do in order to protect victims and avoid the sexualization of children?
Pedophiles are savvy Internet users. Are we providing, in some degree, windows of opportunity for pedophiles? One of many strategies some pedophiles use is to post stories involving children or childhood memories (How old were you when you first had sex? etc) Those threads are not uncommon at and in some cases are the perfect strategy for networking among pedophiles (via PMs or others). Are threads like this a risk in itself?? Ideas dont kill people, but what about facilitation of potential networks behind the scene?
Quote:
Note 1:
AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION (APA) STATEMENT
DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA FOR PEDOPHILIA
June 17, 2003
Pedophilia, included in the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) since 1968, continues to be classified as a mental disorder. The DSM is the standard classification of mental disorders used by mental health professionals and provides clear, objective descriptions of mental illnesses, based upon scientific research. Pedophilia is categorized in the DSM-IV-TR as one of several paraphilic mental disorders.
The essential features of a Paraphilia are recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors that generally involve nonhuman subjects, children, or other nonconsenting adults, or the suffering or humiliation of oneself or ones partner.
An adult who engages in sexual activity with a child is performing a criminal and immoral act and this is never considered normal or socially acceptable behavior. The American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,
Fourth Edition Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria for Pedophilia (302.2) are:
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 sexual 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.
Pedophilia generally is treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy. The therapy may be prescribed
alone or in combination with medication. Some examples of medications which have been used
include anti-androgens and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Relapse prevention is
also emphasized. However, the outlook for successful treatment and rehabilitation of individuals with Pedophilia is guarded.
Quote:
Note 2: Ryan C.W. Hall, MD and Richard C.W. Hall, MD, PA. A Profile of Pedophilia:
Definition, Characteristics of Offenders, Recidivism, Treatment Outcomes, and Forensic Issues. Mayo Clin Proc. 2007;82(4):457-471
http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.com...204/8204sa.pdf
Quote:
Note 3: The New York Times Magazine published two excellent articles on pedophilia exploring the factors influencing pedophilia and social responses including witch hunt and demonization.
The Making of a Molester
New York Times Magazine
Daniel Bergner
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/23/ma...=all&position=
How do you Cure a Sex Addict?
New York Times Magazine
Lauren Slater
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpag...pagewanted=all
Is pedophilia a disease? A good number of internet bloggers seem to reject this idea. The scientific evidence says otherwise. Pedophilia is both a disease and a criminal behavior according to experts. Pedophilia is recognized as a disease by the World Health Organization and Psychiatric Associations worldwide. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) defines pedophilia as a mental disorder (paraphilia) and a criminal behavior. A recent APA statement (2003) clarifies the diagnostic criteria. We can disagree with this view but mental health professionals work within this framework. For details see APA statement [Note 1]
The actual prevalence of pedophilia is unknown because few pedophiles voluntarily seek treatment and because most of the available data are based on individuals who have become involved with the legal system. It is unknown how many individuals have pedophilic fantasies and never act on them or who do act but are never caught [Note 2] Similar cases of pedophilia are expected among us.
How we -as a public forum- protect potential victims? Demonizing pedophiles is just an initial emotional response -understandable in cases like this- but hardly effective in the long term [Note 3] What can we do in order to protect victims and avoid the sexualization of children?
Pedophiles are savvy Internet users. Are we providing, in some degree, windows of opportunity for pedophiles? One of many strategies some pedophiles use is to post stories involving children or childhood memories (How old were you when you first had sex? etc) Those threads are not uncommon at and in some cases are the perfect strategy for networking among pedophiles (via PMs or others). Are threads like this a risk in itself?? Ideas dont kill people, but what about facilitation of potential networks behind the scene?
Quote:
Note 1:
AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION (APA) STATEMENT
DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA FOR PEDOPHILIA
June 17, 2003
Pedophilia, included in the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) since 1968, continues to be classified as a mental disorder. The DSM is the standard classification of mental disorders used by mental health professionals and provides clear, objective descriptions of mental illnesses, based upon scientific research. Pedophilia is categorized in the DSM-IV-TR as one of several paraphilic mental disorders.
The essential features of a Paraphilia are recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors that generally involve nonhuman subjects, children, or other nonconsenting adults, or the suffering or humiliation of oneself or ones partner.
An adult who engages in sexual activity with a child is performing a criminal and immoral act and this is never considered normal or socially acceptable behavior. The American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,
Fourth Edition Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria for Pedophilia (302.2) are:
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 sexual 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.
Pedophilia generally is treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy. The therapy may be prescribed
alone or in combination with medication. Some examples of medications which have been used
include anti-androgens and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Relapse prevention is
also emphasized. However, the outlook for successful treatment and rehabilitation of individuals with Pedophilia is guarded.
Quote:
Note 2: Ryan C.W. Hall, MD and Richard C.W. Hall, MD, PA. A Profile of Pedophilia:
Definition, Characteristics of Offenders, Recidivism, Treatment Outcomes, and Forensic Issues. Mayo Clin Proc. 2007;82(4):457-471
http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.com...204/8204sa.pdf
Quote:
Note 3: The New York Times Magazine published two excellent articles on pedophilia exploring the factors influencing pedophilia and social responses including witch hunt and demonization.
The Making of a Molester
New York Times Magazine
Daniel Bergner
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/23/ma...=all&position=
How do you Cure a Sex Addict?
New York Times Magazine
Lauren Slater
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpag...pagewanted=all