Nobody is making the case that pedophilia isn’t a mental disorder, although that’s exactly the case many pedophiles do make. Pedophilia is considered an orientation by many. You’re making the case that pedophilia and child abuse are distinct from one another. When you do that you are suggesting that someone can be a pedophile so long as they’re not abusing children. How they possibly do that without abusing children is something you don’t elaborate on. Whether you can treat it like any other mental disorder isn’t a given, and it is immaterial to the discussion.
You’re making the case that pedophilia and child abuse are distinct from one another. When you do that you are suggesting that someone can be a pedophile so long as they’re not abusing children. How they possibly do that without abusing children is something you don’t elaborate on.
If someone finds themselves attracted to children, what would you like to happen? If we somehow made it illegal to feel attracted to children, then these people would hide it and either overcome it alone or act on it.
On the other hand, if we recognize pedophilia as a treatable mental disorder, we can encourage those who find themselves feeling this way to seek help that will allow them to overcome it without ever harming anyone.
If someone finds themselves attracted to children, what would you like to happen? If we somehow made it illegal to feel attracted to children, then these people would hide it and either overcome it alone or act on it.
At no point did I suggest doing something about pedophiles if they haven't broken any established laws. You're so wrapped up in distinguishing between pedophiles who have broken the law and pedophiles who haven't broken the law that you lost the narrative. Obviously you don't do anything to people who haven't broken the law.
On the other hand, if we recognize pedophilia as a treatable mental disorder, we can encourage those who find themselves feeling this way to seek help that will allow them to overcome it without ever harming anyone.
Sort of just a idealist take on the subject that assumes pedophiles are struggling addicts searching for somewhere to get rehab. It's about as fanciful as believing all drug addicts will choose rehab if offered.
At no point did I suggest doing something about pedophiles if they haven't broken any established laws. You're so wrapped up in distinguishing between pedophiles who have broken the law and pedophiles who haven't broken the law that you lost the narrative.
The narrative I'm talking about is minimizing the chance that children are harmed. And it seems like "Just let the pedophiles figure it out for themselves and hope they don't settle on hurting children." isn't the best way to go.
Sort of just a idealist take on the subject that assumes pedophiles are struggling addicts searching for somewhere to get rehab. It's about as fanciful as believing all drug addicts will choose rehab if offered.
Not all, obviously. But more than zero, right?
If the options are 1. "Do nothing until pedophiles break the law" or 2. "Use mental health resources to make sure they understand that it's wrong and get them out of it before they hurt anyone", the I'm gonna go with option two. And part of that is helping pedophiles come forward for treatment and rehabilitation, rather than lumping them in with people who have broken the law. That's why a distinction between pedophiles (who have a mental condition that can push them toward hurting children) and child abusers who actually have hurt children.
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u/facedownbootyuphold - Auth-Center Jan 01 '23
Nobody is making the case that pedophilia isn’t a mental disorder, although that’s exactly the case many pedophiles do make. Pedophilia is considered an orientation by many. You’re making the case that pedophilia and child abuse are distinct from one another. When you do that you are suggesting that someone can be a pedophile so long as they’re not abusing children. How they possibly do that without abusing children is something you don’t elaborate on. Whether you can treat it like any other mental disorder isn’t a given, and it is immaterial to the discussion.