Poll: Do you think Pedphilia/Ephebophilia (Sexual Attraction to Minors) is Genetic?
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Plus, what does it mean if you come from somewhere which has a lower age limit for consensual sex than America? Does this mean a South Korean person is in the clear for being attracted to a 14yr old?mad825 said:
People need to remember that although the actual physical act of paedophilia is wrong (as in, carrying out a relationship with a child), being a paedophile in the first place (as in, merely attracted to children but not acting upon it) isn't a crime and it isn't harming anyone. In that sense than yes, I am fine with paedophiles as long as they are not willing to act upon such desires.
As for whether it is genetic...I have no idea. I don't know about the genetics behind homosexuals or heterosexuals and I'm not entirely sure if sexual preference is down to genes.
A wall of text where are my paragraphs. ;Pblakfayt said:
No flame coming from here.
Seriously though I never knew that was the name for it and now knowing I that I don't have to use the term I used to I can happily admit to being one myself. and I completely agree with you and see your point of veiw as it is my own.
Once again though I point out my happy relationship with my girlfriend and say that it is all choice even though there is that complex there.
Heres a little known fact:
The term Pedophile is techiniclly incorrect as the it comes from the the word PHILOS Which is mutual love and respect, So a Pedophile is actually someone who respects a child and has mutual love for them (Eg a Parent)
The correct word that should be used it Pedoerotic as it comes from EROTICA which means sexual relations, (Eg someone who has sex with children)
PS: The 'Pedo' Bit means child if you didn't know.
I hope i have helped
The term Pedophile is techiniclly incorrect as the it comes from the the word PHILOS Which is mutual love and respect, So a Pedophile is actually someone who respects a child and has mutual love for them (Eg a Parent)
The correct word that should be used it Pedoerotic as it comes from EROTICA which means sexual relations, (Eg someone who has sex with children)
PS: The 'Pedo' Bit means child if you didn't know.
I hope i have helped
I think it might be a mix between the two as you usually have some sort of similar taste in the opposite sex as your Dad/Mum as I think studies showed you usually end with someone like them at least personality wise. No one wants someone who looks like their parents as that is a whole different kettle of fish..... While I do think it is a bit genetic in this respect it is also a choice as you can choose whether or not to do it. Same as being straight. I could turn around tomorrow and decide to be gay same as a gay guy could do or I could decide to be bi(which I think is a bit of a cop out but thats besides the point).
In short I think it is a mixture of the two.
In short I think it is a mixture of the two.
Alrighty. As far as I'm aware, there is little evidence pointing to a genetic cause of homosexuality, as well as pedophilia, no one is really sure why either arises. A plausible theory I heard of was that it might be due to teratogenic activity during pregnancy, though what and how that causes this, is unknown. The brain is rather complicated, and cannot be completely coded for by genetics, at least, not where every single neuron ends up, as well as where the connections occur. This results in a lot of variation in the organization of a brain, causing a lot of different behaviors to show up, though there are identifiable regions in the brain that perform specific tasks, and exist in everybody, but their activities differ from person to person. It could even be just random chance, and boom. Pedophile.
A more recent estimate of biological determination of behavior is somewhere between 20 and 50%.
As for Pedophila being used as an excuse for a person's actions, in other words, I think the States has the same thing, the insanity defense. However, the insanity defense requires a major point. "the defendant [must be] incapable of distinguishing between right and wrong at the time of the offense."
I don't know if a pedophile has yet tried to use this as a defense. But I do know of a different disorder, that is entirely biological, yet this defense was rejected. Psychopathy, at least here in Canada. Court ruled that the requirement of being incapable of determining right from wrong was not held in this case. A Psychopath is taught right and wrong from their parents and society, just like everyone else. The mitigating factors in their biology have been shown to not affect their ability to tell right from wrong, it only removes their ability to feel guilt, and thus remorse for wrong doing. Pedophiles don't even have this to hide behind. There is no legal justification for their behavior.
A more recent estimate of biological determination of behavior is somewhere between 20 and 50%.
As for Pedophila being used as an excuse for a person's actions, in other words, I think the States has the same thing, the insanity defense. However, the insanity defense requires a major point. "the defendant [must be] incapable of distinguishing between right and wrong at the time of the offense."
I don't know if a pedophile has yet tried to use this as a defense. But I do know of a different disorder, that is entirely biological, yet this defense was rejected. Psychopathy, at least here in Canada. Court ruled that the requirement of being incapable of determining right from wrong was not held in this case. A Psychopath is taught right and wrong from their parents and society, just like everyone else. The mitigating factors in their biology have been shown to not affect their ability to tell right from wrong, it only removes their ability to feel guilt, and thus remorse for wrong doing. Pedophiles don't even have this to hide behind. There is no legal justification for their behavior.
Not everyone actually can do so well. Due to poor parenting usually, which isn't entirely their fault. Its why the DSM includes an "Impulse Control Disorders" section on Axis 2 I think it is, beside the personality disorders.Tyson765 said:
You're not supposed to yell it out.maninahat said:
You're only supposed to think about yelling it out.
Only.
ONLY.
Agreed. For that matter...do we ever actually choose to like anything? I couldn't explain my musical preferences, I don't think I chose them...Hurr Durr Derp said:
Homosexuality is strongly believed to be the result of varying hormone levels in the womb. Which means it's not genetic, just...sort of...naturally occuring phenomena. I've read nothing on the subject that would suggest we could choose sexuality, or that it is genetic.
It's unfortunate(for everyone)when such anti-social sexualities(I'm referring to paedophilia...not homosexuality) are formed...
But Philosophically speaking if the law acknowledges this how can they prosecute someone who says they "Couldn't help themselves?"
It would be like jailing a bank teller for aiding and abetting robbery because he put the money in the gunman's bags as he held a gun to his head.
I do see your point of poor parentage and that is true I guess.
Without a sense of other people being valuable you will choose to use them however you would like to regardless of the damage it would do.
It would be like jailing a bank teller for aiding and abetting robbery because he put the money in the gunman's bags as he held a gun to his head.
I do see your point of poor parentage and that is true I guess.
Without a sense of other people being valuable you will choose to use them however you would like to regardless of the damage it would do.
I don't think they can help having the attraction and urges, and because of this I would never judge someone for feelings they cannot control. However, giving up and acting on the urges is very very wrong and should be punished for the same reasons the OP stated.
Like with most aspects of human behavior, (I believe) the answer isn't nearly so clear-cut as "genetics or choice".
There is a nearly-endless range of potential influences on a person's sexuality. Genetics is factor, but familial and cultural values, traumatic or impression-forming experiences, maybe even things like diet and environment all make their impact. In the end, it's impossible to tell where a particular preference "comes from", and even if you do figure it out for one person, the history probably won't hold true for the next. The same variation applies as to whether the condition is "treatable" or not. (Whether or not such an attempt should be made is another question.)
I generally agree with the notion that the urges aren't a choice, but the actions are. However, I think most of us can recall a time when we felt an urge so strongly that resisting it seemed quite impossible. This is not a justification for any sort of crime, of course - a child molester must still be prevented from causing further harm - merely a reminder not to be too hasty in judging others by presuming their mental workings.
There is a nearly-endless range of potential influences on a person's sexuality. Genetics is factor, but familial and cultural values, traumatic or impression-forming experiences, maybe even things like diet and environment all make their impact. In the end, it's impossible to tell where a particular preference "comes from", and even if you do figure it out for one person, the history probably won't hold true for the next. The same variation applies as to whether the condition is "treatable" or not. (Whether or not such an attempt should be made is another question.)
I generally agree with the notion that the urges aren't a choice, but the actions are. However, I think most of us can recall a time when we felt an urge so strongly that resisting it seemed quite impossible. This is not a justification for any sort of crime, of course - a child molester must still be prevented from causing further harm - merely a reminder not to be too hasty in judging others by presuming their mental workings.
I don't think it's a choice, but it's still fucking wrong. There are people out there who murder because their brains are genetically wired that way, but that doesn't mean their actions are condonable.
If you're naturally attracted to little kids then I'm sorry but that fucking sucks for you, stay the hell away from little kids and get some help.
If you're naturally attracted to little kids then I'm sorry but that fucking sucks for you, stay the hell away from little kids and get some help.
It's always choice. Sure, there are urges, and these urges may be caused by genetics, but it's how you react to these urges that count. I have urges to kill 90% of the people I meet on the internet, that doesn't mean I do it.
mix of the two. even if a person were to have an attraction to the "delicious flat chest" that does not neccesarily manifest as kidnapping schoolgirls. so genetic predisposition followed by active choice to engage in the act. you know like all the rest of human sexuality.