Psychology Behind Pedophilia
July 07, 2021, by Psychosexology W/ Gayatri
Psychology Behind Pedophilia
You might have heard the news of child molesters or child abusers who enjoy having sex or get pleasure by molesting children. Or while searching some porn category, you might have seen some videos where some people enjoy having sex with children. But, have you ever wondered, why some adults are attracted to children??? What's the reason behind it??? What they really get from it????
Pedophiles are individuals who are preferentially or solely sexually attracted to prepubescent children, generally 13 years or less. Pedohilia is a psychiatric disorder in which an adult or older adolescent experiences a primary or exclusive sexual attraction to prepubescent children. Pedophilia is often applied to any sexual interest in children or the act of child sexual abuse. An individual who openly acknowledges that their sexual interest in children is real and greater than their sexual interest in older or mature individuals, then he is the one who discloses this paraphilia. If this same individual complains that this interest is causing psychosocial difficulties, only then may they be diagnosed with pedophilic disorder. If they do not feel guilt, shame or anxiety related to these interests and have never acted on these impulses they can be characterized as having pedophilic sexual orientation but not pedophilic disorder. And an individual who denies their interest in children but clearly seeks them out and does foster this interest may still be diagnosed with pedophilic disorder.
Pedophilics are classified depending on the developmental stage the adult is sexually attracted to. Those who find children on the cusp of puberty sexually attractive are known as Hebephiles. And those individuals who are sexually attracted to children who have reached puberty are known as Ephebophiles. Not all paedophiles are child sex offenders and not all child sex offenders are paedophiles.
Diagnostic criteria -
• If person is experiencing recurrent, intense, sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges or behaviors involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child or children. (generally age 13 years or younger) over a period of at least 6 months.
• The individual has acted on these sexual urges or the sexual urges or fantasies caused distress or interpersonal difficulty.
• The individual is at least age 16 years and at least 5 years older than the child.
If the individual meets the criteria for pedophilic disorder, it should also be evaluated and specified if the disorder is:
• Exclusive type, whereas the individual is only attracted to children
• Nonexclusive type, whereas the individual is attracted to children in addition to mature individuals.
• Limited to incest
And if the individual is:
• Sexually attracted to males
• Sexually attracted to females
• Sexually attracted to both
The extensive use of pornography depicting prepubescent children is a useful diagnostic indicator of pedophilic disorder. Individuals are likely to choose the pornography that corresponds to their sexual interests. Pedophilic disorder includes other elements that may change over time with or without treatment. Like subjective distress (e.g., guilt, shame, intense sexual frustration or feelings of isolation) or psychosocial impairment or the propensity to act out sexually with children. Therefore, the course of pedophilic disorder may fluctuate, increase or decrease with the age.
What's the reason behind pedophilia?
Exact causes behind pedophilia are still not known and research is still going on. But, there is some evidence that pedophilia may run in families, though it is unclear whether this stems from genetics or learned behavior. Antisocial personality disorder may be considered a risk factor for pedophilic disorder in males with pedophilia. Adult males with pedophilia often report that they were sexually abused as children. There is some evidence that suggests neuro - developmental perturbation in utero increases probability of development of a pedophilic interest. Some studies suggest that there are one or more neurological characteristics present at birth that cause or increase the likelihood of being pedophilic. Some studies have found that pedophiles are less cognitively impaired than non-pedophilic child molesters. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has indicated that pedophilics have reduced activation of hypothalamus as compared with non-pedophilic persons when viewing sexually arousing pictures of adults. More scientific evidence is showing that pedophiles have different wiring in their brains than the rest of us. Other research into the biological roots of the condition suggests that it starts in the womb. Some researches say that pedophilia is a sexaul orientation just like hetrosexuality and homosexuality.
Pedophiles are individuals who are preferentially or solely sexually attracted to prepubescent children, generally 13 years or less. Pedohilia is a psychiatric disorder in which an adult or older adolescent experiences a primary or exclusive sexual attraction to prepubescent children. Pedophilia is often applied to any sexual interest in children or the act of child sexual abuse. An individual who openly acknowledges that their sexual interest in children is real and greater than their sexual interest in older or mature individuals, then he is the one who discloses this paraphilia. If this same individual complains that this interest is causing psychosocial difficulties, only then may they be diagnosed with pedophilic disorder. If they do not feel guilt, shame or anxiety related to these interests and have never acted on these impulses they can be characterized as having pedophilic sexual orientation but not pedophilic disorder. And an individual who denies their interest in children but clearly seeks them out and does foster this interest may still be diagnosed with pedophilic disorder.
Pedophilics are classified depending on the developmental stage the adult is sexually attracted to. Those who find children on the cusp of puberty sexually attractive are known as Hebephiles. And those individuals who are sexually attracted to children who have reached puberty are known as Ephebophiles. Not all paedophiles are child sex offenders and not all child sex offenders are paedophiles.
Diagnostic criteria -
• If person is experiencing recurrent, intense, sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges or behaviors involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child or children. (generally age 13 years or younger) over a period of at least 6 months.
• The individual has acted on these sexual urges or the sexual urges or fantasies caused distress or interpersonal difficulty.
• The individual is at least age 16 years and at least 5 years older than the child.
If the individual meets the criteria for pedophilic disorder, it should also be evaluated and specified if the disorder is:
• Exclusive type, whereas the individual is only attracted to children
• Nonexclusive type, whereas the individual is attracted to children in addition to mature individuals.
• Limited to incest
And if the individual is:
• Sexually attracted to males
• Sexually attracted to females
• Sexually attracted to both
The extensive use of pornography depicting prepubescent children is a useful diagnostic indicator of pedophilic disorder. Individuals are likely to choose the pornography that corresponds to their sexual interests. Pedophilic disorder includes other elements that may change over time with or without treatment. Like subjective distress (e.g., guilt, shame, intense sexual frustration or feelings of isolation) or psychosocial impairment or the propensity to act out sexually with children. Therefore, the course of pedophilic disorder may fluctuate, increase or decrease with the age.
What's the reason behind pedophilia?
Exact causes behind pedophilia are still not known and research is still going on. But, there is some evidence that pedophilia may run in families, though it is unclear whether this stems from genetics or learned behavior. Antisocial personality disorder may be considered a risk factor for pedophilic disorder in males with pedophilia. Adult males with pedophilia often report that they were sexually abused as children. There is some evidence that suggests neuro - developmental perturbation in utero increases probability of development of a pedophilic interest. Some studies suggest that there are one or more neurological characteristics present at birth that cause or increase the likelihood of being pedophilic. Some studies have found that pedophiles are less cognitively impaired than non-pedophilic child molesters. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has indicated that pedophilics have reduced activation of hypothalamus as compared with non-pedophilic persons when viewing sexually arousing pictures of adults. More scientific evidence is showing that pedophiles have different wiring in their brains than the rest of us. Other research into the biological roots of the condition suggests that it starts in the womb. Some researches say that pedophilia is a sexaul orientation just like hetrosexuality and homosexuality.
Can we treat pedophilics??
One with pedophilia may not be able to help his desires, but he can avoid acting on them. When a pedophile acts on his sexual desires and is convicted of a crime, his condition comes to light. But pedophiles who never act on their attractions often go undiagnosed and they don't receive treatment. The research suggests that early treatment focused on teaching impulse control abilities may help prevent crimes. While treatment may help pedophiles to reduce their sexual attraction towards children but, many do not seek clinical help because of the risk of the legal consequences. But, if someone seeks treatment then some therapies can work for them.
Cognitive-behavioral models can be used to treat individuals with pedophilic disorder. These models utilize victim empathy, assertiveness training, relapse prevention and also involve confronting the individual’s cognitive distortions as well as teaching lifelong maintenance.
Medication is often used simultaneously with psychotherapy. These medications include:
• Antiandrogens, such as Provera and Lupron, which lower sex drive
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which treat associated compulsive sexual disorders
There are so many different aspects of sexual desires of humans which are still not known to many people and still enough research has to be done on why some humans have specific kind of fantasies. There is always more to know about humans, their mind and their desires.
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