Persuasive Essay On Pedophilia

Pedophilia, which is defined as the sexual attraction to children who have not yet reached puberty, remains a vexing challenge for both clinicians and public officials. Part of this challenge stems from the fact that not all pedophiles are child molesters (or vice versa). Child molesters are defined by their sexual actions to children, whereas pedophiles are defined by their sexual desires for children. Essentially, one can be a pedophile without ever coming in contact with a child, and likewise, acts of sexual abuse can be committed by ordinary people not generally attracted to children. This topic brings up the question of whether pedophilia should be considered a legal issue or a mental health issue. Yes, the acts pedophiles commit on children

Much like one’s sexual orientation, pedophilia is unlikely to change. People do not choose to be attracted to children or adults any more than they choose to be attracted to males or females. In the very early stages of fetal development, the brain of the fetus will either develop in the male direction due to a direct effect of testosterone on the developing neurons, or it will develop in the female direction due to the absence of such a testosterone surge (Bao & Swad, 2010). In regards to pedophiles, studies have shown that there is genetic involvement in pedophilia. Researchers wanted to look at which specific parts of the brain distinguish pedophilic from non-pedophilic men. Pedophiles were found to have lower volumes of gray matter in the ventral striatum compared to both homosexual and heterosexual subjects. Furthermore, they were also found to have smaller volumes of their hypothalamus, amygdala, septal regions, and substantia innominate. Finally, they found that pedophiles have lower white matter volumes of the superior frontooccipital fasciculus. White matter is the cabling that connects the different parts of the brain together and enables people to react appropriately to people and situations (Cantor, Christensen, Zipursky, Barbaree, & Dickey, 2008). Therefore, when there is a lack of this white

The best way to fight this problem is by focusing on the cause of pedophilia. Pedophiles are responsible for molesting 88% of the children that are victims of sexual abuse (Abel & Harlow, 2001). By looking at the research support, I think that pedophilia is more of a mental health issue than a legal issue. One reason may be that being labeled a pedophile in itself is not a legal issue. Rather, it is the impulses that pedophiles act upon that make it illegal. It is more difficult to find research support when not all pedophiles are acting on their urges. However, it is easier to examine the physical differences in the brain that provide evidence that pedophilia is a mental disorder. This should be more of a focus in our society because we can help treat the mental illness, which would ultimately reduce the amount of children harmed. If pedophiles were given treatment to help reduce their desire to act upon their sexual urges, then less incidents of child molestation would occur. Our society should be establishing an environment where pedophiles can come in and receive either therapy or medication that would lower their sex drive. By focusing on the mental health issues of pedophilia and increasing treatment options, it will lead to a decrease of sex crime rates in the future. This research provides evidence that there is an association between