General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Many researchers taking a different view of pedophilia [View all]But really good studies are going to do more than point out the fact that a percentage of people are attracted to children. I doubt, reading through this thread there's been a large enough study sample to conclude anything. Demographics, history of sexual abuse--which has always been a factor in many convicted pedophiles--change the dialogue.
These studies arose from the thankless task of redirecting offenders fantasies, or to reduce recidivism. If, as the article points out there are numbers of pedophiles who are not acting on their sexual 'orientation' because they know its wrong, (clearly haven't been exposed to or reject, NAMBLA or other hetero organizations that espouse letigimacy) are in an ugly situation indeed. There is no way for them to have a satisfying sex life. If they act, they are causing significant harm as well as as rape, if they don't, they walk through life confused and miserable.
The word orientation carries a lot of baggage, as well as a lot of power. I think it better we develop early identification and treatment for pedophiles than toss the word orientation around.
Attempts the change homosexual orientation have proved dismal failures. I couldn't change my heterosexual orientation. What does that say about pedophillia? And what do we do about it?