Is being a pedophile a choice or genetic

[Salami]

I firmly believe that there is a genetic basis for these types of sexual expression and I'm darn near positive that no one popped up with the idea when they were a kid to grow up and become sexually attracted to kids. With that said there is a statically significant number of people who have these urges and who would act upon them if it was legal. The fact that they don't act upon them in observation of rule of law promotes that they have developed moral and ethical structures that guide their behavior and that they can be assumed to be safe in the general society. Studies have showed that the percentage of the population who have a sexual attraction to children is somewhere between 1 and 3 percent. Not high by no means, but its likely that everyone knows 1-5 through their extended social network.

Something that is so common in humanity has to be natural and have an organic basis even if its likely a mutation that would lead to lower chances of survival simply because of the lesser chance of reproduction occurring.

Eventually these people will be protected in ways just like homosexuals although its severely problematic in how we as a society can help these individuals not only live their lives in a meaningful manner but also achieve sexual satisfaction that all of us need to feel content and fulfilled while not causing harm to individuals who are neither ready nor seeking such attentions as the pedophile would offer. There is a knee jerk reaction to such kinks in our society and generally speaking when you experience a knee jerk reaction you quit thinking rationally or critically about said topic. And therein lies the problem with this issue. Almost everyone is reacting to input and virtually no one is thinking rationally or critically about the hows and whys. Very complicated subject matter and very hard to find those who are willing to discuss it without prejudice. It is likely that said prejudice is not only learned but genetic as well.

 

[Cruella]

Who cares if it's genetic or by choice. It's illegal, immoral and sick.

 

[dogtowner]

In that there may a genetic basis for insane then perhaps its so.

 

[MMercury]

I hate comparing pedophilia to homosexuality because being gay does not cause harm to other people (unless you're a gay pedophile or so on) where as being a pedophile and acting upon it is harmful to children. It was been proven that children who are sexual abused have all sorts of problems for the rest of their lives. Some even go on to become pedophiles themselves which shows that pedophilia can be triggered and might not be completely genetic or genetic at all.

Let's assume pedophiles cannot control their attraction to children. Ok. But people can control their actions. A pedophile can choose not to rape a child.

Personally, I think that porn has a bit of in influence on this. Porn often features very young girls and there are a lot of videos labeled "teen". This is sexualizing young women and girls and normalizes that sexualization.

 

[invest07]

The problem I have with pedophilia and homosexuality being classified as genetic is that the existence of such a gene seems to violate Darwinian evolution.
The Darwinistas say that for a mutation to survive it MUST enhance the chance for success of the species.
Because homosexuals reproduce at a much lower rate than straights, homosexuality lowers the odds of success in the species.
I don't know the reproduction rate for pedophiles. But individuals who practice pedophilia appear to be driven by very unnatural forces which are counter to societal norms. Societal norms have evolved over 1000's of years because they work. Again, Darwinian evolution would seem to negate the possibility that a gene for pedophilia would survive evolutionary pressure.

We as a society have been barraged with messages for the past 50 years that whatever we want is OK.
If it feels good, do it.
Even if whatever we want is negative or destructive to ourselves or others.
You can't be judgmental today and be politically correct. And if you do not behave in a politically correct manner you won't be able to keep a job or get elected to public office or send letters to the editor that get published .
Pedophiles have always been with us but our attitudes have changed because we are not allowed to be judgmental.
Pedophiles were considered perverts in the 1950's. Today they just represent an alternate lifestyle.

Too bad we can't bring back good old fashioned shame.

 

[Jason76]

Criminal pedophiles cannot be tolerated in society. They are too dangerous to children. Nonetheless, authorities have not done thier part in destroying an environment which encourages sexual crime. Considering they can fight the "War on Terror", then it should be a small effort.

 

[pocketfullofshells]

I hate comparing pedophilia to homosexuality because being gay does not cause harm to other people (unless you're a gay pedophile or so on) where as being a pedophile and acting upon it is harmful to children. It was been proven that children who are sexual abused have all sorts of problems for the rest of their lives. Some even go on to become pedophiles themselves which shows that pedophilia can be triggered and might not be completely genetic or genetic at all.

Let's assume pedophiles cannot control their attraction to children. Ok. But people can control their actions. A pedophile can choose not to rape a child.

Personally, I think that porn has a bit of in influence on this. Porn often features very young girls and there are a lot of videos labeled "teen". This is sexualizing young women and girls and normalizes that sexualization.

porn showing teens...shows you know teens though..yes young, but any legal stuff they are 18.....even a young looking 18...can;t pull off a 8 year old look.

 

[pocketfullofshells]

The problem I have with pedophilia and homosexuality being classified as genetic is that the existence of such a gene seems to violate Darwinian evolution.
The Darwinistas say that for a mutation to survive it MUST enhance the chance for success of the species.
Because homosexuals reproduce at a much lower rate than straights, homosexuality lowers the odds of success in the species.
I don't know the reproduction rate for pedophiles. But individuals who practice pedophilia appear to be driven by very unnatural forces which are counter to societal norms. Societal norms have evolved over 1000's of years because they work. Again, Darwinian evolution would seem to negate the possibility that a gene for pedophilia would survive evolutionary pressure.

We as a society have been barraged with messages for the past 50 years that whatever we want is OK.
If it feels good, do it.
Even if whatever we want is negative or destructive to ourselves or others.
You can't be judgmental today and be politically correct. And if you do not behave in a politically correct manner you won't be able to keep a job or get elected to public office or send letters to the editor that get published .
Pedophiles have always been with us but our attitudes have changed because we are not allowed to be judgmental.
Pedophiles were considered perverts in the 1950's. Today they just represent an alternate lifestyle.

Too bad we can't bring back good old fashioned shame.

 

[pocketfullofshells]

while I am sure their could be some genetic parts ( nothing we do is is 100 percent separate from genetics...and this would be a hard one to study) but I think the fact that often people who where abused as kids, have a higher tendency to it themselves shows how much its nurture vs nature....as often the abused have no genetic ties to the abuser.

And also since I know someone will say gays... unrelated issue...2 consenting adults doing what they enjoy with who they want....none of our business...Just like when people say well then what about people who have sex with animals don't we have to make that legal? yes...as soon as you find a way to prove the animals gave consent and have legal standing to do so. ( aka not likely)

 

[PLC1]

Well there is a long thread about weather being homo is a "lifestyle choice" or something genetic. Well, if your sexual attraction is genetic, then wouldn't those that see people under the age of 18 as sexually attractive fall under the same provisions as those that are gay. Many people now feel that this pedophilia cannot be cured. And there have now been studies that show 20% of all males may have a attraction to those under age. So how should they be treated.
So what are we to do about the millions of men, and women, that have affection for those under the age of 18?

There may be a genetic component to pedophilia.

There most likely is a genetic component to homosexuality.

That doesn't mean that pedophilia is somehow related to homosexuality.

Having blue eyes has a genetic component as well. In fact, it's totally genetic. That doesn't relate blue eyes and pedophilia either.

 

[josuemilan]

I believe pedophilia is a mixture of nature and nurture. Everyone is born with a certain genetic makeup, and we all have the ability to act out our lives based on genetics. All humans have random instincts to do things that are subjectively approved by other humans. As humans we make whatever we want taboo, while other things we say are perfectly acceptable. The conflict is when somebody does something that the majority says is immoral. Everybody has there own taste in what they like, and that can change according to the environment. All of our desires are socially collected. There might be one thing you experience in your life that could abruptly change your interest into something you never thought of. Exposure to outside things is what creates fetishes, and this same argument could be switched over to other things that are not accepted. Homosexuals are not fully accepted, in recent times a new argument came out that it was natural. It sounds immoral to punish somebody for something natural. The truth is that anybody could be anything they desire, caused by the society they are raised in and the genes they are born with.