Now, one moment before you make a decision that peadophiles are 'the spawn of Satan' and demonise them as the worst type of criminal. I've talked to my Psych teacher about this sunject recently, since paedophillia seems to be a more common crime in the last decade, I asked her what the reasosn behind there actions are. She went on to say that truthfully no one has found a significant answer to the cause of people becoming paedophiles but it does all point ot something similar. Genetics. Latest studies have found that people who's parents had a mental disorder or other disability mentally were 10x more likely to commit sexual abuse against young shildren than any other group. Some psychologists agree that paedophiles are as much victims as anyone else who suffers a mental disorder sinc it is an almost uncontrollable urge. Other factors are abuse, sexual or not and also aggressive situations, lack of socializing and so on. I personally don't have strong feeling sone way or another. I don't care much about paedophiles because i've not really been affected by them nor anyone I know. Also I see children as capable of taking on more mature roles at a younger age ( I admit alot don't, but it's jsut how I instinctively view it) What about you, victims of their own or monsters? How do you see them?
Victims of their own minds. I believe these people act on urges that are beyond their control. The American Psychiatric Association even published the DSM which provides diagnostic criteria for certain mental disorders, Paedophilia included. And as you said, low self-esteem and poor social skills are psychological characteristics of paedophiles. Studies have also shown that pedophilic men tend to have less white matter than other men. I'm not saying it is okay in any way, shape, or form, but they do need help.
I certaintly don't demonize them, and I agree that they too may be victims somewhat, but I am still repulsed by it. I am also torn...if they are suffering in their minds, then locking them away would make them suffer too much, but we can't allow them to run free...I really can't see a way around it save from stopping them before they commit the crime, but more often than not its never apparent until too late. I am in two minds on this.
You can think whatever you want. You can feel however you please. You can even be attracted to whoever you want. But there are some thoughts and feelings you may not act upon, regardless of genetics and tragic history. I see them as flawed and needy of help. However, they are still a menace to society whichever way you choose to twist or turn it.
I will agree with this. They are victims to an extent, but when they choose to act on their desires that is when they become criminals. Compared to the damage done to their "victims" both physically and psychologically, their own issues don't even compare.
Interesting dilemma. However we cannot make exceptions for rapists. If you noticed, the majority of the human race have desires towards others, however they keep these desires in check and do not rape anyone they feel like. Ordinary people control their desires and wait for consent. However paedophiles have all their avenues of release blocked. Form a relationship? Illegal. Look at porn? Illegal. Heck, even lolicon is illegal in some countries. This means that paedophiles are not the same as ordinary people, because their desires can never be realised. Therefore everything they do in pursuit of fulfilling their desires is deemed as inappropriate. Imagine for a second, that you were not allowed to form a relationship with anyone. Not just a social barrier, such as in the case of homosexuality, but a legal one as well. In fact, you're deemed as creepy if you even have a conversation with them. You cannot look at porn of them, drawn or not. You have absolutely nothing you can do except suppress your desire for your entire life. This is a paedophile's world. See the problem? We have very few avenues of action available to us. Classifying it as a mental disorder will cause outrage, as it will soon come back to gay rights, as there will be those who will force homosexuality into this classification as well. Not to mention that it would be impossible to cure, assuming it follows the same pattern as homosexuality. So trying to 'cure' it is not an option. The second option is legalising paedophilia. This has its faults though, which dictate the law currently. Children are too young to give consent. They are easily abused. Porn of them is seen as taking advantage of them. Legalising it would cause outrage, and the public would never accept it. The conditions are the same as homosexuality, but different. It is impossible to legalise. Thus we have a problem. I can only suggest councilling for paedophiles, much like we have around for gays. Anything more would be unacceptable to the public, but it's still not enough.
