Is Pedophilia a learned behavior?

[Art Vandelay]

The Polanski, Mackenzie Phillips, and numerous homosexual discussion got me pondering. This isn't meant to be a troll and in no way is equating same sex attraction with the abomination that is pedophilia. I honestly don't know enough about the subject (thankfully) to answer my own questions. Is it still assumed that most pedophiles were victims of abuse? I seem to recall reading a few years ago this has been proven to be a falsehood. How does a man (most often) get to the point he can have such a strong sexual attraction to child he is willing to seemingly risk all things most individuals value to satiate his desire? Is it the seminary pornography scare- once you start looking at some you will need more and more until it destroys you? Or is there something mentally or chemically abnormal with these individuals?

I have a good friend who has defended many accused pedophiles. In his opinion (though I assume he doesn't share it in the court room) once an individual had any type of sexual contact, meaning not just a child-porn self-abuse guy, the chance of "recovery" in his opinion is zero percent. Which leads to the question stated in another thread, why would anyone choose that for themselves?

I have only dealt with one case in my current calling. I will be purposefully vague in the details, but I can attest that the SP, Abuse hotline, and SLC all take any claims very serious with the protection of the innocent being the #1 priority.

[Coach McGuirk]

I have only dealt with one case in my current calling.

What calling is this?

[Art Vandelay]

What calling is this?

Priest quorum president. I honestly didn't mean to be a braggart (an all too common problem for me). I just assumed most everyone on here knew where I'm currently serving.

[byu71]

Priest quorum president. I honestly didn't mean to be a braggart (an all too common problem for me). I just assumed most everyone on here knew where I'm currently serving.

You're fine. We are all past the Art is more worthy than us stage. At least we should be.

[woot]

The Polanski, Mackenzie Phillips, and numerous homosexual discussion got me pondering. This isn't meant to be a troll and in no way is equating same sex attraction with the abomination that is pedophilia. I honestly don't know enough about the subject (thankfully) to answer my own questions. Is it still assumed that most pedophiles were victims of abuse? I seem to recall reading a few years ago this has been proven to be a falsehood. How does a man (most often) get to the point he can have such a strong sexual attraction to child he is willing to seemingly risk all things most individuals value to satiate his desire? Is it the seminary pornography scare- once you start looking at some you will need more and more until it destroys you? Or is there something mentally or chemically abnormal with these individuals?

I have a good friend who has defended many accused pedophiles. In his opinion (though I assume he doesn't share it in the court room) once an individual had any type of sexual contact, meaning not just a child-porn self-abuse guy, the chance of "recovery" in his opinion is zero percent. Which leads to the question stated in another thread, why would anyone choose that for themselves?

I have only dealt with one case in my current calling. I will be purposefully vague in the details, but I can attest that the SP, Abuse hotline, and SLC all take any claims very serious with the protection of the innocent being the #1 priority.

I would argue the exact opposite: A legal age of consent is an artificial construct. Historically, once a woman was ovulating she would have been sexually active.

Attraction to preadolescents is a whole different issue, though.

[SeattleUte]

This isn't meant to be a troll and in no way is equating same sex attraction with the abomination that is pedophilia.

yeah sure.

Pedophelia is wrong because it involves children, and it's equally wrong regardless of gender of the abuser or the child. There are heterosexual and homosexual pedophiles.

[Art Vandelay]

I would argue the exact opposite: A legal age of consent is an artificial construct. Historically, once a woman was ovulating she would have been sexually active.

Attraction to preadolescents is a whole different issue, though.

Sorry I should have clarified I did mean prepubescent. It is easier to understand Polanski's attraction to a supposedly physically mature 13 year old. That doesn't change the fact what he did was reprehensible not to mention illegal. However, I can't fathom the sexual attraction (addiction?) that people have to young children. Thus my underlying question, is this learned, hardwired, or more likely a combination of both?

[Art Vandelay]

yeah sure.

Pedophelia is wrong because it involves children, and it's equally wrong regardless of gender of the abuser or the child. There are heterosexual and homosexual pedophiles.

I agree with everything you said. I have been fairly open, at least on CB, as to my feelings regarding homosexuality (feel free to do a quick search). I in no way equate same sex attraction to prepubescent attraction of either gender. I don't understand either, but I know one is wrong the other I'm not so sure about.

[Jarid in Cedar]

There is a school of thought that pedophillia is a mental illness(Daminal may have more clear info on that tan I do). If it did fit that category, then it would be a combination of genetic predisposition, choice, and opportunity.

[wuapinmon]

Or, like hetero/homo-sexuality, it could be that they are just born that way. If that's the case, <redacted>, then what do we do?

[smokymountainrain]

Or, like hetero/homo-sexuality, it could be that they are just born that way. If that's the case, <redacted>, then what do we do?

If we are saying heteros are born that way, and homosexuals are born that way, it certainly wouldn't be much of a stretch to think some people are born with a sexual attraction to children.

[KillerDog]

yeah sure.

Pedophelia is wrong because it involves children, and it's equally wrong regardless of gender of the abuser or the child. There are heterosexual and homosexual pedophiles.

Any insight into the distribution of these? My understanding is that most pedophilia is homosexual in nature. My understanding is derived from a therapist who is for the gays. Have you done any research into this area?

[KillerDog]

If we are saying heteros are born that way, and homosexuals are born that way, it certainly wouldn't be much of a stretch to think some people are born with a sexual attraction to children.

Pedophiles say that they are born that way.

[woot]

It doesn't matter whether they are "born that way". What they do is wrong and cannot be tolerated.

I find it unlikely that Western-style heterosexuals are "born that way" either. The majority of people everywhere do prefer heterosexual sex, but it is not nearly so black-and-white in the absence of a culture that marginalizes homosexuality. Clearly, there is a great deal of cultural and experiential influence on sexuality of all kinds. That doesn't mean that anyone makes a conscious choice about their sexuality. The key regarding legality is consent. If it can be given between the parties involved, sex (and marriage) is fine.

[Art Vandelay]

Any insight into the distribution of these? My understanding is that most pedophilia is homosexual in nature. My understanding is derived from a therapist who is for the gays. Have you done any research into this area?

Using only anecdotal evidence- local and national mainstream media accounts. I would agree with SU abuse victim, especially in relation to child pornography, both genders seem to be equally effected (or is it affected?).

Pedophiles say that they are born that way.

Am I incorrect in recalling that the wide held notion that these individuals were predominately victims of abuse themselves has been dis-proven in recent years?