NYT Op-Ed: Pedophilia A Disorder, Not a Crime

[HereSince1628]

4. The reality is pedophilia is considered both a crime and a disorder

The work of the opinion page headline writer not withstanding.

As a behavior, pedophilia is child molestation and abuse, it is a criminal act against innocent children which in the minds of most people make it especially heinous.

Across America the zeitgeist about the criminal behavior is that punishment brings no rehabilitaion and no treatment can ameliorate let alone cure pedophilia.

These themes are likely to be repeated or alluded to often in replies to this op. Because the above are such strongly held beliefs crossing them triggers hostility that derails addressing the argument being made.


And, IMO, the crux of the argument being made is that society's extreme prejudice against this behavior is a barrier to prevention of the disorder and consequently the criminal act. Does the author successfully make that case?

She suggests that prevention is a possibility (which is contrary to commonly held expectations of society). Does she successfully make that case?

She suggests that treatment would be more unlikely to be sought unless institutionalized social prejudice against pedophilia is lowered. Does she successfully make that case? Fear of stigma (and attendant prejudice and discrimination) is commonly argued as factor contributing to failure of care-seeking for mental disorders.

Is it possible that any argument about the thesis of the opinion piece can ever be made in the face of extreme prejudice our zeitgeist holds as reasonable and proper?