Paedophilia
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| − | '''Paedophilia''' | + | '''Paedophilia''' (also spelt '''pedophilia''' and '''pædophilia''') is the sexual attraction, by an adult, towards prepubescent children. '''Ephebophilia''' (also known as '''hebephilia''') is the sexual attraction towards pubescent or post-pubescent adolescents. Note that to be a paedophile (which means literally "love for a child") or ephebophile it is not required that the person have ever acted on their urges. |
| + | The term paedophile is increasingly used by media when referring to someone who has had sex with anyone under the age of consent. It is often mistakenly reported that paedophilia exclusively or mainly occurs in males. The correct term for a man who engages in sexual relations with a male child is ''Pederast''. | ||
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| + | ==Clinical diagnosis== | ||
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| + | The ICD-10 (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems) and the DSM IV (the American Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) describe paedophilia as a [[paraphilia]] and mental disorder of adults or older youths, if it causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. | ||
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| + | The diagnostic criteria for paedophilia are: | ||
# A. Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviours involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child or children (generally age 13 years or younger). | # A. Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviours involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child or children (generally age 13 years or younger). | ||
# B. The fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviours cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. | # B. The fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviours cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. | ||
# C. The person is at least age 16 years and at least 5 years older than the child or children in Criterion A. | # C. The person is at least age 16 years and at least 5 years older than the child or children in Criterion A. | ||
| + | Attraction to adolescents is not generally regarded by psychologists as pathological except when it interferes with other relationships and ephebophilia is not listed in the ICD-10 or the DSM-IV. It is usually illegal to act upon such feelings. | ||
| − | + | As in all legal matters, please do not rely on Wipipedia but consult a legal professional. | |
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
| − | *[[Minor]] | + | * [[Minor]] |
| + | * [[Age of consent]] | ||
| + | * [[Age play]] | ||
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| + | ==External links== | ||
| + | * [http://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/pedophilia.html Pedophilia at ''Psychology Today''] | ||
| + | * [http://www.depression-guide.com/ephebophilia.htm Ephebophilia - Symptom, Cause and Treatment] | ||
[[Category:AltSex]] | [[Category:AltSex]] | ||
[[Category:Legal]] | [[Category:Legal]] | ||
Revision as of 14:21, 26 April 2009
Paedophilia (also spelt pedophilia and pædophilia) is the sexual attraction, by an adult, towards prepubescent children. Ephebophilia (also known as hebephilia) is the sexual attraction towards pubescent or post-pubescent adolescents. Note that to be a paedophile (which means literally "love for a child") or ephebophile it is not required that the person have ever acted on their urges.
The term paedophile is increasingly used by media when referring to someone who has had sex with anyone under the age of consent. It is often mistakenly reported that paedophilia exclusively or mainly occurs in males. The correct term for a man who engages in sexual relations with a male child is Pederast.
Clinical diagnosis
The ICD-10 (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems) and the DSM IV (the American Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) describe paedophilia as a paraphilia and mental disorder of adults or older youths, if it causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
The diagnostic criteria for paedophilia are:
- A. Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviours involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child or children (generally age 13 years or younger).
- B. The fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviours cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
- C. The person is at least age 16 years and at least 5 years older than the child or children in Criterion A.
Attraction to adolescents is not generally regarded by psychologists as pathological except when it interferes with other relationships and ephebophilia is not listed in the ICD-10 or the DSM-IV. It is usually illegal to act upon such feelings.
As in all legal matters, please do not rely on Wipipedia but consult a legal professional.
