Pedophilia is considered a seriosu and offensive crime, but it is also often referred to as a diagnosed medical disorder. According to Web MD, pedophiles are people who have a sustained sexual orientation towards children that are under the age of 13. While having sex with a minor is expressly illegal, some of these men and women argue that they have a natural tendency towards this sexual orientation that was not developed by preference but an unwanted, natural aspect of their lives. Pedophiles sometimes argue that their case is similar to the plight of homosexuals, who claim to have a natural sexual attraction to those of the same gender. While homosexuality has been recognized as appropriate in many states, pedophilia remains a social and moral degradation because it endangers and traumatizes the children involved.
Web MD writes that not all pedophiles are child molesters. Child molesters are defined by the acts that they have committed which are punishable by law. Pedophiles are simply inclined towards their desires, but do not actually need to practice those desires or work towards fulfilling them in an illegal way. A sexologist from the University of Toronto writes that some pedophiles refrain from sexually assaulting a child their entire lives.
The American Psychiatric Association has officially declared that pedophilia is a mental and psychological disorder. It was official included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders for the first time in 1968, and has yet to be removed from the list. Pedophilia is considered one of a group of paraphilia. These are mental disorders which cause the person affected to be sexually oriented towards an unnatural object, person, or animal. Paraphilia are considered recurrent, intense, sexually arousing fantasies, urges, or behaviors that involve children, non-human subjects, or non-consenting adults.
The newest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) may change pedophilia to a pedophilic disorder. The new classification would allow any pedophiles who suffer from guilt, anxiety, difficulty pursing personal goals, or alienation because of their sexual orientation to be diagnosed with the illness. Having the disorder may prove as an invaluable defense in a pedophilia court case. Pedophilia is an illness that can sometimes be treated through therapy. Some patients are even issued medications which help to reduce their desire for intimacy with minors, which can curb their disorder temporarily.
While pedophilia is more common among men than women, it is a disorder that can be contracted by anyone. People of all ages, races, incomes, and educational levels struggle from this disorder. A University of Toronto sexologist professor writes that people do not choose to be attracted to children or adults any more than they choose to be attracted to men or women. Instead, he says that it is important that pedophiles recognize that they need to curb their sexual interests so that they do not disregard the laws and rules of society.
One researcher writes that pedophiles are often frustrated, isolated, lonely, and depressed. They normally recognize that their sexual orientation is morally wrong, and are stressed about their conflicted emotions. Often this leads to other psychological disorders. Despite the fact that the American Psychiatric Association recognizes pedophilia as a mental illness, there are times that acting on these sexual impulses is regarded as a crime. States each have their own measures regarding pedophilia, but on average a pedophile can be sent to jail for any sort of action. Child pornography can merit serious charges, and molesting a child is considered a serious sex crime that can bring about decades in prison. As well, anyone charged with pedophilia can become a registered sex offender for the rest of his or her life, making it difficult to find employment. If you have been charged with a child sex crime, talk to your lawyer about using a mental disorder defense. You may be able to reduce your sentence due to the fact that you have been diagnosed with a medical mental illness.
