Pedophilia: Difference between revisions
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'''Pedophilia''' is a mental disorder and clinical diagnosis, characterized by intense, frequent sexual urges directed towards prepubescent children. The term '''pedophile''' or '''paedophile''' refers to any individual who suffers from this disorder. Despite improper colloquial usage of the term, one does not need to sexually abuse a child in order to be considered a pedophile. Furthermore, a significantly older adult who is attracted to postpubescent individuals (i.e. 13-17 year olds) would not be considered a pedophile, under the correct usage of the term. Instead, that would fall under the category of | '''Pedophilia''' is a mental disorder and clinical diagnosis, characterized by intense, frequent sexual urges directed towards prepubescent children. The term '''pedophile''' or '''paedophile''' refers to any individual who suffers from this disorder. Despite improper colloquial usage of the term, one does not need to sexually abuse a child in order to be considered a pedophile. Furthermore, a significantly older adult who is attracted to postpubescent individuals (i.e. 13-17 year olds) would not be considered a pedophile, under the correct usage of the term. Instead, that would fall under the category of ephebophilia, which refers to the sexual attraction towards adolescents.<ref name="mayo">Hall, Ryan C. W. MD, et al. "A Profile of Pedophilia: Definition, Characteristics of Offenders, Recidivism, | ||
Treatment Outcomes, and Forensic Issues." Volume 82(4), April 2007, pp 457-471. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 2007.</ref> | |||
==Prevalence== | ==Prevalence== | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
According to the American Psychiatric Assocation, pedophilia is defined based on the following criteria: | |||
* 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 sexual 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. <ref>"[http://www.psych.org/news_room/press_releases/diagnosticcriteriapedophilia.pdf American Psychiactric Association Statement Diagnosis Criteria for Pedophilia]." American Psychiatric Association. 17 Jun 2003.</ref> | |||
Furthermore, in cases where the individual is very young, or is still an adolescent, emotional and sexual maturity may be considered before a diagnosis is made. <ref name="mayo" /> | |||
==Types of pedophiles== | |||
===Exclusive vs. nonexlusive=== | |||
Based on the pedophile's specific sexual attraction, he or she can usually be categorized as exclusive or nonexclusive. '''Exclusive pedophiles''' are attracted to children, and ''children only''. They show little interest in adults their own age and in some cases, can only become aroused while fantasizing or being in the presence of prepubescent children. On the other hand, '''nonexclusive pedophiles''' are attracted to both children and adults, and can be sexually aroused by both. According to a U.S. study on 2429 adult male pedophiles, only 7% identified themselves as exlusive; indicating that many or most pedophiles fall into the nonexclusive category. <ref name="mayo" /> | |||
===Homosexual vs. heterosexual=== | |||
Most pedophiles do not only prefer children of a specific age, but also of a specific sex. Most pedophiles identify themself as homosexual, heterosexual, or bisexual. However as not to create confusion, the use of these terms by pedophiles does not imply their sexual orientation towards adults, but ''exclusively'' refers to the gender of the preferred child. According to U.S. studies, pedophiles attracted to children of the same sex can range from 9% to 40%. One possible reason for this phenomenon lies in opportunity. For example, if a pedophile finds it easier to relate to males and/or create opportunities to be alone with them, then he or she may exclusively seek out male children even if the perpetrator is also aroused by female children. | |||
==Occurrence in child sex offenders== | ==Occurrence in child sex offenders== | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | |||
Revision as of 19:01, 9 June 2007
Pedophilia is a mental disorder and clinical diagnosis, characterized by intense, frequent sexual urges directed towards prepubescent children. The term pedophile or paedophile refers to any individual who suffers from this disorder. Despite improper colloquial usage of the term, one does not need to sexually abuse a child in order to be considered a pedophile. Furthermore, a significantly older adult who is attracted to postpubescent individuals (i.e. 13-17 year olds) would not be considered a pedophile, under the correct usage of the term. Instead, that would fall under the category of ephebophilia, which refers to the sexual attraction towards adolescents.[1]
Prevalence
Diagnosis
According to the American Psychiatric Assocation, pedophilia is defined based on the following criteria:
- 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 sexual 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. [2]
Furthermore, in cases where the individual is very young, or is still an adolescent, emotional and sexual maturity may be considered before a diagnosis is made. [1]
Types of pedophiles
Exclusive vs. nonexlusive
Based on the pedophile's specific sexual attraction, he or she can usually be categorized as exclusive or nonexclusive. Exclusive pedophiles are attracted to children, and children only. They show little interest in adults their own age and in some cases, can only become aroused while fantasizing or being in the presence of prepubescent children. On the other hand, nonexclusive pedophiles are attracted to both children and adults, and can be sexually aroused by both. According to a U.S. study on 2429 adult male pedophiles, only 7% identified themselves as exlusive; indicating that many or most pedophiles fall into the nonexclusive category. [1]
Homosexual vs. heterosexual
Most pedophiles do not only prefer children of a specific age, but also of a specific sex. Most pedophiles identify themself as homosexual, heterosexual, or bisexual. However as not to create confusion, the use of these terms by pedophiles does not imply their sexual orientation towards adults, but exclusively refers to the gender of the preferred child. According to U.S. studies, pedophiles attracted to children of the same sex can range from 9% to 40%. One possible reason for this phenomenon lies in opportunity. For example, if a pedophile finds it easier to relate to males and/or create opportunities to be alone with them, then he or she may exclusively seek out male children even if the perpetrator is also aroused by female children.
Occurrence in child sex offenders
Treatment
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hall, Ryan C. W. MD, et al. "A Profile of Pedophilia: Definition, Characteristics of Offenders, Recidivism, Treatment Outcomes, and Forensic Issues." Volume 82(4), April 2007, pp 457-471. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 2007.
- ↑ "American Psychiactric Association Statement Diagnosis Criteria for Pedophilia." American Psychiatric Association. 17 Jun 2003.