Should a person that is attracted to minors be cast off from society, locked away, made to suffer and made to feel like an outcast?

Of course not.

Many pedophiles are manipulating and will use excessive force to get what they want, and these ones should be locked up. But ones who simply have an attraction to minors shouldn't, just as they shouldn't try to act on those urges.

And the possession of 'images of children' has gone way too far. It is nearly impossible now for a childs parents to take photographs of their children at a pool/beach/swimming carnival. It is just not allowed because of the fear of pedophiles. Society has gone way over the top and is now fearing the worst instead of thinking logically.

Point taken on consent, a lot of people at that age will be unwilling to have 'sex'. But if a minor is curious and asks questions and is willing to, say, experiment, then why shouldn't someone who they trust, and has an attraction back to them, help them? Obviously abusing them is wrong, but that is why consent is such a hard topic to discuss.

Nobody really knows if someone is consenting or not except for the person themselves.

Still, the thought of pedophilia disgusts me, but to others the thought of homosexuality is disgusting. I accept people no matter who they are attracted to. However I wont accept it if they try to act on those urges in an unethical way.

Gumdropster wrote:

QUOTE:
Anyone who says someone else should suffer, should suffer more themselves. No one deserves to suffer, they should rather be helped with what causes them to "deserve" to suffer.

You're saying the people who say others should suffer should suffer themselves? So you should suffer too??

hmmm...peadophillia, this is an argumentative discussion to say the least.

I do believe that any adult that acts on any sexual tendency towards a minor should be punished! If that means imprisonment, then so be it.

SimpleSimon:

QUOTE:
Point taken on consent, a lot of people at that age will be unwilling to have 'sex'. But if a minor is curious and asks questions and is willing to, say, experiment, then why shouldn't someone who they trust, and has an attraction back to them, help them? Obviously abusing them is wrong, but that is why consent is such a hard topic to discuss.

Its typical for minors to want to experiment. However, its not right that an adult should take advantage of ANY minor. Whether a minor trusts an adults is regardless of the matter...ITS WRONG!
Minors are not able to conceptualize many aspects of sex in the same way we are. Thus, they may be able to say they 'consent' but they still do not fully understand everything about it. They are simply reacting on physical impulses, which I'm going to over-exaggerate and say, that are animal based bec they cannot control them.

This is where an adult differs, they should be able to control their impulses. If they can...then I don't have too much of a problem with them...however, if they act on them and touch a kid...'consenting' or not...they should be punished.

chemical_flare wrote:

QUOTE:
Gumdropster wrote:

QUOTE:
Anyone who says someone else should suffer, should suffer more themselves. No one deserves to suffer, they should rather be helped with what causes them to "deserve" to suffer.

You're saying the people who say others should suffer should suffer themselves? So you should suffer too?? :P

Oh yes... Backward logic.... lol.... But it is true though, when people make judgements about others they don't really know anything about they're just dumb.

Okay, These people are pedofiles. They are older people that go around sexually molesting and abusing kids. It's ridiculous how some of yall are like "No."

They should always be given the maximum fine for whatever they have done to a kid because the emotions that the kid goes through it tremendously stress full. Its not okay to drive a kid to suicide at all and whats sad, a lot of people dont understand and pretend they do. Pedofiles are sick and so are the people who support them.

What is so good about kidnapping a kid/teen that cant defend himself and destroying every sense of morality or even sanity they have left for a little sexual arousal? Answer: Nothing.

[Doublepost]<br /><br />Post edited by: Stereotypical, at: 2007/09/22 04:24

This is where an adult differs, they should be able to control their impulses. If they can...then I don't have too much of a problem with them...however, if they act on them and touch a kid...'consenting' or not...they should be punished.[/quote]

Quite right too. The question is then is 25 years in prison enough? Can the courts not do more to make these people endure hardship too, just like their victims have to endure? Some may argue that merely excluding someone from society for that length of time is just reward for their behaviour. I don't agree - I feel these people should be made to visit the graves of those victims who didn't survive. They should be forced to pay for whatever therapy the victim has to undergo, through hard labour if that's what it takes. To actively help in the healing processes.

In saying that though, there can never be any interaction between the victim and the peadofile. It takes a very very long time to block out the images. I still see reminders every day of what happened. Little things, like a particular shirt, or the way someone flicks their cig-end away. Seems to me it's going to be a lifelong battle. To come face to face with these men one day I think will seriously test the good work that the councelling has done. It may even bring back all the hate and resentment.

In reality though 25 years imprisonment is a lot less than that. This means that in a short time these peadofiles are released back into society, relatively free from any restriction of movement, to do as they please. Here is the danger. I don't know what the statistics are, but I've been told that the majority of peado's will offend again. So how do we bring awareness to this danger?

Stereotypical wrote:

QUOTE:
Okay, These people are pedofiles. They are older people that go around sexually molesting and abusing kids. It's ridiculous how some of yall are like &quot;No.&quot;

They should always be given the maximum fine for whatever they have done to a kid because the emotions that the kid goes through it tremendously stress full. Its not okay to drive a kid to suicide at all and whats sad, a lot of people dont understand and pretend they do. Pedofiles are sick and so are the people who support them.

What is so good about kidnapping a kid/teen that cant defend himself and destroying every sense of morality or even sanity they have left for a little sexual arousal? Answer: Nothing.

You should read up on what a pedophile actually is. What YOU are saying is a child molester. Big difference between pedophile and child molester. Being pedophile is like being gay, you have feelings for the same sex as a gay and you have those feelings for children as a pedophile.

I believe that the rehabilitation trail of thought is the right way to go when dealing with paedophiles as I just don't see why they should be punished for something they most likely can't help. Being gay I guess gives you an extra perspective of things, cause if someone told me just because I'm attracted to men that I'd be locked up, like in the past, I certainly would be far from happy about it. They need support and advice to help them control their urges. However, unlike gay attraction, peadophillia deals with minors and that's where things start to get different. Unlike typical situations involving gay men and women, children as mentioned do not have the mental capacity to make judgements like this with adults and aren't even in puberty, for that reason it's an unthinkable act and something must be done to help Paedos have good legal relationships and feelings rather than enticing clueless minors.

Those that would revel in the suffering of others are no less sick than the ones they condemn, the difference being simply in the manner of manifestation. Only a weak fool would demand another's agony, allowing themselves to be duped by what is common consensus. Too much emphasis is placed on punishment in our supposedly civilized culture, when we should be exploring avenues of rehabilitation and understanding. This goes not only for the treatment of paedophiles, but of all the criminal population. By punishment, we do nothing to stop paedophilia or to stop paedophiles from acting on their desires. Those with a conviction to do so will find other ways of achieving their goals, and those that understand the possible negative ramifications of their desires do not act to begin with, not out of deterrence by government authority, but by self imposed moral authority.

I happen to know an individual who is a paedophile. He has freely admitted to me his attraction to children. I would also call this individual my friend, and I associate freely with him. I'll say here and now that I disregard any liability this places on my shoulders. He is a human, no different from you or I. He knows of the harm his desires can do, so he does not allow passion to overwhelm his reason. I've met few people more empathetic than he, and none as courageous when standing outnumbered against others. He and I share the same philosophy, that life is to be spent in whatever manner we wish, so long as it harms none.

Do not be so quick to cast judgment on those you do not know or understand. You may be supported by the majority, but that (as every one of you should know) does not erase the ignorance behind the attitude. Frankly, I am appalled at the vanomous attitude of those that are so like ourselves, but cursed to a greater degree. While we can have gay relationships freely, and are gaining freedom, they will always be faced with the spectre of public sentiment and their own moral obligations. Instead of joining in the madness and possession of the masses, why don't you take a stand and support these people emotionally. It's hard enough to control one's desires on one's own, its doubly difficult to do so when you are ridiculed and hated.

That you might all know for sure, I do not condone acting on one's desires for a relationship with a child. I think it is emotionally and psychologically damaging for the child, and should be resisted with all the mental willpower available, and when that fails, one should seek out trusted individuals to draw further strength from. I may not condone it, but I accept the individual as a human being, as capable of compassion, loyalty, honour, and love as many of you seem to be of hate, apathy, anger, and bitterness.

For those of you that may have been victims of paedophiles, I express feelings of utmost sympathy. I can say however, that hatred will not lead you out of the pain you feel. Find a trusted friend, a counselor, to talk to about everything. Even writing down and exploring your thoughts alone can go a great ways to recovery. Do not, however, nurture feelings of negativity or anger, as this will only consume you, and make you feel no less empty. As difficult as it is, you must come to terms with the past, and let it go as best as you are able. The scars will always be there, but how you perceive and confront them depends upon yourself.