APA to destigmatize pedophilia...?

1. 67

   SparklingJewelposted 12 years ago

   hmmmmm....
   
   
   http://www.b4uact.org/science/symp/2011/program.htm

   replyreport
   1. 0

      Brenda Durhamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      First impression (from the "mission statement) is that B4uact is trying to re-label pedophilia not only by calling it a mental illness, but by tacking on a liberal label of "minor-attracted", thereby leaving out individual responsibility for wrong behavior.
      
      Some of the group's commentary in their agenda is very disturbing.  They're apparently trying to help people,  which is a good thing!, but they're leaving out morality and even allowing the pedophiles to categorize themselves as victims!   The write-up said experts in several fields were at the conference, including "ethics"......I'm wondering how much imput involved ethics at all.   Especially since the admonishments against "judging" were forefront.   And I wonder how many victims or their families were allowed any input.
      
      Conservatives have been warning people this would happen.  Make immorality mainstream and give adult decisions to children,  and it's only a skip away from a push to legalize criminal immorality.

      replyreport
2. 79

   Uninvited Writerposted 12 years ago

   So you are saying it's not a mental illness? I see nothing here that says they will still not be punished as they should be. Maybe by studying this they can prevent people from becoming paedophiles in the first place and acting on those feelings?

   replyreport
   1. 0

      Brenda Durhamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Maybe so!  And that's a good thing.  But there's the very real danger in the way they seem to be going about it.   I didn't read all the speeches of course, so I can't really make a firm assessment.  There was mention of a scenario where a 15-year-old might need help with his sexual attraction to younger kids.  In cases like that, yes, it would be great if he could be taught to make good choices.  But why couldn't they just teach him right from wrong instead of labeling him with a disorder?  Everyone faces temptations.  Temptations are normal.  Refraining from acting upon those temptations is, believe or not, normal. We all have a conscience.  I think that group is simply trying to "help" via a roundabout way instead of taking a direct approach, and they're gonna confuse the person even more.

      replyreport
3. 71

   jwhitmanposted 12 years ago

   Why pussyfoot around these sexual predators?  Afraid of labeling them what they are?  I don't think they need to be studied, but rather pulled out into the middle of town and hung for their crimes against children.  Do that a few times and we'll see how quickly the" mental illness" is cured.
   Everyone is so quick to look for some underlying reason why some people are just scumbags that no one is afraid of getting caught breaking the laws because there is always the scapegoat of "there must've something wrong with them".  This country is going soft......and no one has any fear of consequences.

   replyreport
   1. 0

      Brenda Durhamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with that in part.  I don't agree with a generalized judgement of having the offender hanged!  Because sometimes, as mentioned, the situation is between two young people close in age;  so there shouldn't be such a generalized label put upon all people. 
      But there are reasons for everything, but not excuses for everything!  And most things that people do are their choices.

      replyreport
4. 79

   Uninvited Writerposted 12 years ago

   People are going to read into this whatever they want obviously.
   
   Mental illness is not an excuse for anything. The APA does not make decisions based on pushing a political agenda like some.
   
   But, it's easier to call for someone's head or death rather than find ways to avoid it from happening in the future.

   replyreport
5. 71

   jwhitmanposted 12 years ago

   Age does play a factor, you are right Brenda.  I think if the victim and the offender are close in age- usually when the offender is labeled as Level 1, like maybe he/she are 21 and they have a relationship with someone 17.  However some filthy 57 year old man being attracted and then violating a 3 year old deserves nothing but a death sentence.  And I believe doing so publicly would deter others from acting out their sick fantasies.

   replyreport
   1. 0

      Brenda Durhamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I know what you mean;  I agree that it's a choice,  a horrible choice that should be punished in criminal courts.

      replyreport