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But instead the law slams them for even the harmless ways of satisfying their desires. It's like the law is more interested in punishing pedophiles than protecting children.
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Doesn't this beg the question of whether child molesters are necessarily pedophiles? I was under the impression that child molesters are like any other rapists, and the sexual act was about power and control, not about desire.
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Don't most child molestors proclaim that they had been abused as children. If that is true the theory of wireing of the brain may not be the only cause of such acts. Today, Sandusky's adopted son, now 33 years of age, says he was molested as a young man by Jerry Sandusky.
I won't say that everyone who is molested by outsiders or family will become child molesters, but this seems to be the defense of most child molestors who are found out.
I feel that those pedophiles who seek help should be afforded the same confidentiality rights as Drug addicts and protected under privacy rules. Act 22 of the US Code.
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This is a thought provoking article. If what Dr. Cantor reports is true, that pedophilia is the result of a congenital brain difference, then I do think that pedophiles deserve sympathy and help. If this is true, a pedophile has the very difficult problem of having an innate sex/love interest that, if consummated, unethical and illegal.
The interesting part of this is whether an acceptable outlet can be found for pedophiles, as alluded to by Loren, and the obvious analogy to homosexuality. Not very long ago homosexual behavior was both illegal in many areas and considered to be a disgusting and immoral practice by many. Those still opposed to homosexuality claim to embrace the homosexual as a person but claim that the practice of homosexuality is an abomination (I am trying to not get too religious here).
But then, if you find the consenting adult argument the main decider between the practice of pedophilia and homosexuality, then how about polygamy or polyandry for that matter. I know that some of the Mormon practice of polygamy involves minor girls, but what if they decided to have plural marriages with all participants being consenting adults. Is that OK? What are the cultures such as India and China, who are biasing births strongly to being male, to do. One Indian subculture solved the problem for men who couldn't find partners by allowing polyandry.
Of course, this progression of ideas ends with the proposition- What if it could be demonstrated that, given certain conditions, sexual contact between adults and children were not only not harmful, but had some beneficial effects? I think that there may be a few men who were seduced by older women when the were children who might agree. Would pedophilia then be OK?
I have the same automatic negative reaction to pedophilia as most everyone does, so I am not advocating anything here but just trying to be provocative. I think that it is the grey areas in our law and ethical values that are the most interesting and important to consider. Steve
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Bluenote says that those pedophiles who seek help should be afforded confidentiality. The problem is that most from whom one might seek help - therapist, religious advisor, counselor, etc. are mandated reporters. That is, if they learn that a child has been molested it must be reported to the authorities. The first time I see any new client I say that everything here is absolutely confidential except if you tell me that a child is endangered or you intend to attck someone I must report that to the law.
On the very few occasions I have worked with someone with pediophile desires I recommended finding the state with the lowest age of consent (in some it's 16) or to seek a partner who is of legal age but appears much younger. In other words, I don't try to change their desires ony direct them so that they are within the law.
- Isadora
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Mandated reporters are required to notify law enforcement, agreed not only for pedophiles or other forms of abuse of children. But where do people who are perps go for help? It looks like no one with any expertise is in a position to help them. That to me is saying you have a problem but don't tell me about it, and you are on your own. Isadora, I realize you are bound by the law, but that leaves the individual without any help, that is why I advocate a solution to the person's problem through couseling and confidentiality. .
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