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Difference between revisions of "pedophilia"
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Revision as of 12:02, 10 February 2006
| Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV Revised, 2000 |
Note: Do not include an individual in late adolescence involved in an ongoing sexual relationship with a 12- or 13-year-old.
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Pedophilia (or paedophilia, originally Greek παιδοφιλια; paidophilia) is a sexual attraction to children. While the exact definition varies by context, it commonly refers to the medical definition defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association. The correct term for an attraction to adolescents is ephebophilia.
Those who meet the criteria set above are classed as pedophiles. Common usage do not follow the strict medical definitions of an adult or teen who is attracted to prepubescent children, but often refers to any adult who is attracted to, or has sexual contact with, any person under the age of consent, or the age of majority (often 16-18 in most western countries).
In many societies and cultures, the term pedophile is highly stigmatized and represents an image of an evil, callous monster. This spurs many self-identified pedophiles to adopt names such as boylover, minor-attracted adult, girllover, and childlover, among others, to assist in differentiating themselves and their values from this stereotype.
While pedophiles have made great contributions to past societies, their influence is often ignored or their attraction to children is greatly played down.
