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Pedophilia

I. What is pedophilia

Pedophilia is defined as the act or fantasy of engaging in sexual activity with prepubescent children as the preferred or exclusive method of achieving sexual excitement. Pedophiles vary as to how well they can relate to adults of the opposite sex (usually pedophiles are males, who may be attracted to males, females or both).

II. Cause:

The precise cause or causes of pedophilia are not known. There is some evidence that pedophilia may run in families, but this could suggest either a genetic or a learned behavior effect. Other factors, such as abnormalities in male sexual hormones or the brain chemical serotonin, have been hypothesized but never proved as factors in the development of pedophilia. A history of childhood sexual abuse has also been put forth as a factor in the development of pedophilia. For example, a child who is molested grows up to abuse children sexually. But this, too, has not been proved.

III. Symptoms:

According to the American Psychiatric Association, these are the symptoms:

· Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child or children (generally age 13 years or younger).

· The fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

· The person is at least age 16 years and at least 5 years older than the child or children

However, this does not include an individual in late adolescence involved in an ongoing sexual relationship with a 12- or 13-year-old.

Something on the internet:

· www.pedophilia.com

There is a site called www.under-age.com. The site was about teen pornography. There are other web sites that are aimed towards pedophiles. There are chatrooms for kids that pedofiles go into and try to lure kids.

· There are a lot web sites that are against pedophilia. One of them is called the MAPI project (Movement Against Pedophilia on the Internet).