Paedophilia documentary - opinions on it?

[fairmaiden]

I don't know whether this is deemed inappropriate, but a few days ago there was this documentary on TV about - well - about what a paedophile is?

Basically, there was a man named Eddie who was 36 year old (or 39 can't remember) and he said he has always had a strong attraction to children as young as 4 years old. He then said that he will 'never act upon his urges'; meaning that he says will never abuse a kid. He explained that he is a paedophile, but he has never abused a child. He just has 'crushes on kids' basically, which I still think is wrong.

I didn't even know that you're a paedophile if you only 'have crushes on kids' but never act upon your urges.

He also says that he wants the government to offer more help to paedophiles to help them get over their feelings towards kids.

What I'm conflicted about is whether to trust this guy or not. Because even though he can't control his feelings, it could be very easy for him to just abuse a child if he can't control his urges anymore.

Later on that day, one of the producers of the programme (I think she was a doctor) was asked on Newsnight whether she'd let him babysit her children. She kept avoiding the subject and kept trying to talk about how she wants to help Eddie.

So what do you think guys? Can paedophiles who haven't abused children be trusted or not?

[Typhlosion]

A lot of gay people, back in the time, could be trusted to not act upon their desires if needed. I feel safe to say that we portray paedophiles, at times, more vile than they are. Who knows about the amount of closeted ones.

However, there are some factors involved in paedophilia beyond simple attraction, like social behavior and brain development. The oddities might have to do with acting on one's desires, but I doubt that.

I'd feel more uncomfortable on someone fantasizing about my children rather than worried that they're going to rape them.

[DeadEyes]

Can paedophiles who haven't abused children be trusted or not?

Don't Trust Anyone.

[Miserabilia]

I wouldn't want someone who's attracted to children babysit my children... Just pure logic. Now, if I knew them well, and we were friends, it would be different. But I can't just trust a completely stranger.

I don't see why "the government" should help them. It's not a crippling mental illness.
What should happen though, is allow pedophiles to have places in real life or online to discuss or meet. NOT with children obviously, but with each other. Have groups for it, so they atleast don't have to be in the closet permanantly.

[phuckphace]

pedos are the latest minority group who are on track to get some of those joocy RIGHTS that they're handing out to literally everyone these days. given the nature of what pedophilia is and the fact that so many people will always be viscerally disgusted by it, I don't think this civil rights campaign will get very far without significant backlash. people will sometimes tolerate disgusting behavior to a point, but the very idea of children being sexualized touches off our inner Cro-Magnon and then it's mobs-with-pitchforks time.

I read somewhere that the Green Party in Germany is desperately trying to untarnish its image after they leaned too heavy on the "yay for legalized sex with children" lobbying during the 70s and 80s, which was too much for even many not-very-religious Europeans to stomach. I guess what I'm trying to say is vote Green so Hitler will come back.

[Horatio Nelson]

pedos are the latest minority group who are on track to get some of those joocy RIGHTS that they're handing out to literally everyone these days. given the nature of what pedophilia is and the fact that so many people will always be viscerally disgusted by it, I don't think this civil rights campaign will get very far without significant backlash. people will sometimes tolerate disgusting behavior to a point, but the very idea of children being sexualized touches off our inner Cro-Magnon and then it's mobs-with-pitchforks time.

I read somewhere that the Green Party in Germany is desperately trying to untarnish its image after they leaned too heavy on the "yay for legalized sex with children" lobbying during the 70s and 80s, which was too much for even many not-very-religious Europeans to stomach. I guess what I'm trying to say is vote Green so Hitler will come back.

Perfect answer.

[TroyH]

People who say they are attracted to kids are immediately seen as monsters and criminals even if they haven't done anything. Not right if you ask me, it really is some kind of mental disorder. As mentioned before this campaign is going to be tough because of the firmly held assumptions about this topic, but they really should have access to some kind of mental health services.

[phuckphace]

whether pedophilia is a sexual orientation or mental disorder couldn't be more irrelevant in my opinion. I think the most important part is the fact that regardless of what arbitrary classification we put it in, the risks that come with pedophilia are formidable and that's reason enough in itself to suppress any attempts to normalize it. normalization dramatically increases the chances of pedophiles coming into contact with children. combine that with the fact that most pedos only suppress their urges out of simple fear of prosecution, you can easily see how a relaxed attitude would lead to increased boldness on their part to act.

I've heard a theory, possibly related to this, that the instant availability of and exposure from an early age to porn has created a whole generation of precociously sex-crazed tweens who seek out older partners voluntarily, i.e. a bunch of little kids are making the first move. it's beyond fucked up and nauseating to think about but it wouldn't surprise me an awful lot either - porn is known to do all sorts of gnarly damage to developing brains. "reap what you sow" comes to mind.

[Typhlosion]

I think the most important part is the fact that regardless of what arbitrary classification we put it in, the risks that come with pedophilia are formidable and that's reason enough in itself to suppress any attempts to normalize it. normalization dramatically increases the chances of pedophiles coming into contact with children. combine that with the fact that most pedos only suppress their urges out of simple fear of prosecution, you can easily see how a relaxed attitude would lead to increased boldness on their part to act.

An advantage to the recognition of paedophiles would be legitimizing attempts on seeking help.

Our current law is inconsistent and irrational. For example, federal law and 20 states allow courts to issue a civil order committing a sex offender, particularly one with a diagnosis of pedophilia, to a mental health facility immediately after the completion of his sentence — under standards that are much more lax than for ordinary “civil commitment” for people with mental illness. And yet, when it comes to public policies that might help people with pedophilia to come forward and seek treatment before they offend, the law omits pedophilia from protection.

The Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibit discrimination against otherwise qualified individuals with mental disabilities, in areas such as employment, education and medical care. Congress, however, explicitly excluded pedophilia from protection under these two crucial laws.

[phuckphace]

normalizing it as a sexual orientation would lead to (probably successful) attempts by SJWs to ban therapy services dedicated to treating it, as they are doing now with those "pray the gay away" clubs. the point of these SJW movements is that people want the freedom to do conventionally immoral things like diddle children without being judged for it by the evil bigots, not that they want to "seek therapy" (they can already do that, patient/physician confidentiality provisions, etc.) this agenda is superficially obvious.

[TroyH]

I don't think we should normalize pedophilia at all, just give those who haven't acted on their urges a chance to "fix" themselves. If they do act on such urges then yea lock them up and throw away the key still. But I'd rather have some treatment program that could try to drop the rate of child molestation. If for some reason any such programs backfired then just bin them and go back to the way it is now I suppose.

[fairmaiden]

I agree with phuckphace. I wouldn't condone the normalization of being attracted to children, and I don't think it should be classed as a sexual orientation.

[DeadEyes]

I wouldn't want someone who's attracted to children babysit my children... Just pure logic.

Right, that would be looking for trouble.

[Lovelife090994]

Can a pedophile really "fix" themselves any more than a homosexual? I don't like the idea of pedophilia, this is not Ancient Rome. But is it ethical to "cure" them? What are you doing but repressing something that may build up and pop off or remove an orientation they did not ask for? Maybe to fix tbis we need to venture into knowledge and compassion. Personally I want no pedophile around those under eighteen period.

[Miserabilia]

Can a pedophile really "fix" themselves any more than a homosexual? I don't like the idea of pedophilia, this is not Ancient Rome. But is it ethical to "cure" them? What are you doing but repressing something that may build up and pop off or remove an orientation they did not ask for? Maybe to fix tbis we need to venture into knowledge and compassion. Personally I want no pedophile around those under eighteen period.

I aggree,
but isn't this a little contradictory?

What are you doing but repressing something that may build up and pop off or remove an orientation they did not ask for?
Personally I want no pedophile around those under eighteen period.

This often seems to be the issue with pedophila and I can completely relate; on one hand we want to give compassion to a born sexualit orientation and on the other we're not trustful to people who can be sexualy attracted to people we're not attracted too, the same way it used to be with homosexuliaty. Then there's the huge problem of children not being able to consent...
I don't know tbh. It's a difficult issue and there's not really any simple solutions.

Not that I really know a better solution.
It's a bit of an iffy issue. I'm curious to see how it will be dealt with in different countries.

[Lovelife090994]

I aggree,
but isn't this a little contradictory?




This often seems to be the issue with pedophila and I can completely relate; on one hand we want to give compassion to a born sexualit orientation and on the other we're not trustful to people who can be sexualy attracted to people we're not attracted too, the same way it used to be with homosexuliaty. Then there's the huge problem of children not being able to consent...
I don't know tbh. It's a difficult issue and there's not really any simple solutions.

Not that I really know a better solution.
It's a bit of an iffy issue. I'm curious to see how it will be dealt with in different countries.


Then what do we do? We are dealing with people who did not ask to be born like this or that and yet their "orientation" is something that puts minors at risk. I don't think we can ever draw a line or establish acceptance of it. This is not like the Romans and Greeks where pederasty is accepted. But, it seems it can't be ignored either. I think we could try what many already are trying for psychopaths. Breaking the stigma that all pedophiles are criminals or out to hurt children.

[fairmaiden]

I aggree,
but isn't this a little contradictory?




This often seems to be the issue with pedophila and I can completely relate; on one hand we want to give compassion to a born sexualit orientation and on the other we're not trustful to people who can be sexualy attracted to people we're not attracted too, the same way it used to be with homosexuliaty. Then there's the huge problem of children not being able to consent...
I don't know tbh. It's a difficult issue and there's not really any simple solutions.

Not that I really know a better solution.
It's a bit of an iffy issue. I'm curious to see how it will be dealt with in different countries.
Oh they did an advert in Germany featuring a paedophile and a kid and a mother on a train and tbh it was a little disturbing, I have no idea what they were advertising but the paedophile in the train advert 'controlled his urges' after the boy got off the train. I think they were trying to advertise paedophile counselling.

[phuckphace]

I've posted before about noticing a trend where the kids themselves initiate, or at least advertise their willingness to participate in sexual activity with older adults. I see a lot of creepily young chicks dressed like ratchet hoes with their tits out (12 - 14). shitloads of young gay kids plaster themselves all over the internet and invite the fox into the hen-house.

pretty gross but even when "consent" is given at least 50% of the blame still falls on the adult for accepting the advances. and yes, I think the percentage of pedos who do pedo things is in excess of 99.98%. unless we're talking about the lottery, those odds are too high.

[DeadEyes]

I've posted before about noticing a trend where the kids themselves initiate, or at least advertise their willingness to participate in sexual activity with older adults. I see a lot of creepily young chicks dressed like ratchet hoes with their tits out (12 - 14). shitloads of young gay kids plaster themselves all over the internet and invite the fox into the hen-house.

That's because you make no distinction between younger kids and teenagers. This brings us back to the age of consent issue. Some teens may be willing to have sexual relationships with adults even if it's illegal.

[Lovelife090994]

That's because you make no distinction between younger kids and teenagers. This brings us back to the age of consent issue. Some teens may be willing to have sexual relationships with adults even if it's illegal.

That doesn't mean we should let them. No parent wants grown people at their door asking about their teenage children.

[phuckphace]

consensual? then it must be okay!

[Miserabilia]

consensual? then it must be okay!

If the person giving consent is mentally mature and/or wise enough to give said consent, I honestly don't see a problem.
Ofcourse, I don't really see how anyone could give sexual consent that way before they hit puberty.

[phuckphace]

If the person giving consent is mentally mature and/or wise enough to give said consent, I honestly don't see a problem.
Ofcourse, I don't really see how anyone could give sexual consent that way before they hit puberty.

I'm sure the both of us can come up with a few anecdotal examples of precociously mature young teens who manage healthy sex lives just fine. I know a few myself. but they're still the exception to the rule - most younger teens simply do not have the psychological maturity required to do so, and we certainly shouldn't tailor the law to assume that they do.

definitely not before puberty, I agree, but even after there's still a lot of risks.

[Stronk Serb]

I've posted before about noticing a trend where the kids themselves initiate, or at least advertise their willingness to participate in sexual activity with older adults. I see a lot of creepily young chicks dressed like ratchet hoes with their tits out (12 - 14). shitloads of young gay kids plaster themselves all over the internet and invite the fox into the hen-house.

pretty gross but even when "consent" is given at least 50% of the blame still falls on the adult for accepting the advances. and yes, I think the percentage of pedos who do pedo things is in excess of 99.98%. unless we're talking about the lottery, those odds are too high.

Yeah, I know a few of the girls you described. If my kids started acting like that, they'd be put under house arrest. We should focus on helping pedos not act on their urges, nothing else.

[Miserabilia]

I'm sure the both of us can come up with a few anecdotal examples of precociously mature young teens who manage healthy sex lives just fine. I know a few myself. but they're still the exception to the rule - most younger teens simply do not have the psychological maturity required to do so, and we certainly shouldn't tailor the law to assume that they do.

definitely not before puberty, I agree, but even after there's still a lot of risks.

true true. Then again it seems even most adults would rather protect their phone than their genetalia :rolleyes:

[fairmaiden]

if you look at some advice websites, you'll see 10-12 year olds writing in 'I want to have sex!'. pretty much all of these children are not emotionally ready.

[Remora]

-snip-

First things first. I'd never let a man babysit my children (i mean, if i would ever have them, if i ever stumble upon someone stupid enough to marry me and stuff) and if i heard they were a pedophile i'd probably dislike it even more.

But this man has shown efforts to get help. Of course i think people shouldn't engage in sexual relationships with people under 16, but he's not doing any physical harm to the children by "looking at them" and if he hadn't admitted that he felt things for the children people would've trusted him, still. But he did admit that because he claimed to want to be helped, and now that he's weak and vulnerable people get angry to him about "fantasizing about my kids" even though he described that they were mere "crushes".

I think it's very courageous of this man to try and get help, even though he's inevitably going to get spit out of the community and get harassed for "being a pedophile".

[Descene]

It's totally out of my ability to comprehend, but I don't have to. Child molestation and bestiality really piss me off, sex crimes in general infuriate me, but they aren't the same as pedophilia and zoophilia. People are attracted to what they are attracted to; there is technically no problem with it unless something illegal happens. I don't see it as a mental disorder, though if they wanted therapy and to get rid of the attraction, therapy could be very beneficial. Of course, I'm sure there are pedophiles with mental disorders in addition.

I still wouldn't be against them anyway, but I don't feel right seeing them as monsters or mentally ill. It feels hypocritical as we used to be grouped with them, but they will of course never get the same rights. The least they deserve is to be seen as humans and never as monsters.

I have a very different view on "statutory rape" with sexually mature individuals, though I don't see how that is relevant.

[Meh Guy]

I don't know whether this is deemed inappropriate, but a few days ago there was this documentary on TV about - well - about what a paedophile is?

Basically, there was a man named Eddie who was 36 year old (or 39 can't remember) and he said he has always had a strong attraction to children as young as 4 years old. He then said that he will 'never act upon his urges'; meaning that he says will never abuse a kid. He explained that he is a paedophile, but he has never abused a child. He just has 'crushes on kids' basically, which I still think is wrong.

I didn't even know that you're a paedophile if you only 'have crushes on kids' but never act upon your urges.

He also says that he wants the government to offer more help to paedophiles to help them get over their feelings towards kids.

What I'm conflicted about is whether to trust this guy or not. Because even though he can't control his feelings, it could be very easy for him to just abuse a child if he can't control his urges anymore.

Later on that day, one of the producers of the programme (I think she was a doctor) was asked on Newsnight whether she'd let him babysit her children. She kept avoiding the subject and kept trying to talk about how she wants to help Eddie.

So what do you think guys? Can paedophiles who haven't abused children be trusted or not?

Not to be rude, but this is like asking a kid to sit in front of a table of candy and say; "No!...No!" And then leave the room. Wether they can suppress these urges or not, you put the temptations in front of them, you're giving them a chance to fail. Why are we asking wether we can trust them? Why not help them? The difference between people like this and ones who do abuse children, is a mental break, snap if you will. Once they "snap", it won't matter what they say, that kid will be in immediate danger.

That's just my opinion.