k. here's something that's been bugging me for a while.
A pedophile a post-adolescent who is attracted to pre-adolescents. For instance a 20-year-old who is attracted to girls or boys under the age of 12. There's also 'hebephiles', post-adolescents who are attracted to pre-adolescents (for instance a 30-year-old who is attracted to 15-year-olds) - they're usually grouped among pedophiles. Pedophilia does NOT mean abusing a child. It means being attracted to children.
Many, if not MOST pedophiles, do not EVER act on their urges. Some do not because it is illegal. Others do not because they believe it is immoral. Some of them are only sexually attracted to children. Some, however, also truly love and care for children, and the sexual attraction is only a small part of their life.
And many child molesters are not pedophiles are all. They aren't attracted to children, they just hurt children because children are vulnerable. It is estimated that only 2-10% of child molesters meet the criteria for pedophilia.
So why are all pedophiles automatically labeled child molesters, and vice versa? Is it not possible to be attracted to children, yet also a good person? Being attracted to someone doesn't mean you would ever act on that attraction, or even think that attraction is okay. So what's wrong with being a pedophile?
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