Table of contents:
- Who is a pedophile?
- Can pedophilia be cured?
- Can pedophiles be attracted to adults?
- Can women be pedophiles?
- What should I do if I am sexually attracted to children?
A pedophile is someone who has a sexual orientation towards children, generally in children aged 13 years or younger, as explained by sexologist and professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto, Ray Blanchard, PhD, to WebMD.
According to him, not all pedophiles are child molesters (or conversely, not all child molesters are pedophiles). Child molesters are defined by their actions, while pedophiles are defined by their desires.
“Some pedophiles can refrain from sexual approaching children throughout their lives. But there is no data on how common this happens, "said Blanchard.
Who is a pedophile?
Pedophilia itself is a mental disorder. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has included pedophilia in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder since 1968. Blanchard explains that people who are considered to have pedophilia are people who feel sexually attracted to children, and make them feeling guilty, anxious, isolated, or having difficulty achieving other things in life, or if these desires lead them to approach children in real life with the aim of satisfying their sexual appetite.
In another study conducted by a German psychologist and psychotherapy expert, Jorge Ponseti and his team, which was published in a scientific journal Biology LettersThere are some clear differences between a pedophile and a healthy man.
Ponseti said that the human brain has a mechanism that can distinguish a person's age based on his face. At the University of Kiel Neurology Center, they studied images of faces that were sexually aroused. The data collected also contains a picture of the brain regions that are active when the person feels sexual stimulation.
"In the cortex of the cerebrum, visual activity occurs when a hetero man sees women of the same age. However, the same area will also be active in pedophiles when they see pictures of children who are naked, "said Ponseti.
Can pedophilia be cured?
Many experts agree that pedophiles can be treated through therapy, but this therapy only aims to reduce sexual desire and prevent them from taking action to satisfy pedophile desires. Their feelings and preferences for children cannot be eliminated, so therapy is only preventive action.
However, according to Blanchard, some people who are at high risk for sexual assault may need medication to reduce their sex drive.
Some pedophiles accept and try to justify their sexual orientation. Others realize that approaching children in real life is morally wrong, and they can become frustrated, feel isolated, feel alone, depressed, and confused.
"It can be imagined that the stress experienced by people with pedophilia can cause various secondary psychological problems. However, there are some tough individuals who manage to lead productive and successful lives, even though their sexuality remains a source of frustration, ”explained Blanchard.
Can pedophiles be attracted to adults?
Some pedophiles may have a sexual attraction to adults as well, even though their primary passion is children. However, more often than not, someone who has a partner the same age or even married, realizes too late that their sexual desire is greater for children, and not on their own partners.
However, Blanchard said, it is difficult to know for sure about this because most pedophilia studies are conducted only on pedophiles who have been arrested and jailed for sexually abusing children. There are no data on the true pedophile population, because most pedophiles who do not commit a crime will usually not publicly identify and admit that they have this disorder.
Can women be pedophiles?
From what Blanchard has observed and researched, people who are pedophiles are mostly men. Women rarely become pedophiles. In addition, most pedophiles have an attraction to one sex only or another.
However, it is very difficult to calculate what percentage or the number of pedophiles who are heterosexual, bisexual and homosexual in their approach to children.
What should I do if I am sexually attracted to children?
“People who feel they have a problem with sexual attraction to children should seek professional help immediately. Don't try to deal with this problem alone, ”said Blanchard. Talking and asking professionals for help can help you control your sex drive and prevent you from committing crimes that you will regret later. Find a psychologist or sex therapist in your city, and don't be afraid. They are bound by oath to keep your consultation a secret between the two of you alone.
The thing to remember, don't beat yourself up. Nobody chooses to be a pedophile. If they could choose, of course all pedophiles would prefer adults and not children.
"What you can control is how you live your life once you become aware of pedophilia tendencies," concluded Blanchard. This includes the decision to seek help and control your passions from manifesting into actions.
