NCJ Number
230797
Date Published
2010
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This chapter examines the definitions and etiology of sex offenders, with a focus on pedophiles.
Abstract
In examining definitions of pedophilia from a multidisciplinary perspective, the chapter examines it from clinical, legal, and medical perspectives. This overview of pedophilia definitions within various disciplines identifies a variety of definitions and explanations of pedophilia, which stem in part from the acknowledgement that the group of people who are labeled pedophiles differ greatly from one another in a variety of ways. Further, the chapter agrees with the argument that definitions of pedophilia are inherently ideological (Gough, 1996); for example, legal and clinical definitions of pedophilia vary according to the orientations of the disciplines themselves, and they are also subject to their sociohistorical context. The chapter notes that social constructionist perspectives (Burr, 1995) may be particularly useful in viewing pedophilia, as they allow an approach to phenomena such as pedophilia with an expectation of such variation. Constructionist perspectives have the potential to focus attention on the more intractable problems that are often ignored when focusing on deviant individuals, thus fostering a climate amenable to change. Regarding the etiology of pedophilia, there is no single pattern, which makes its treatment complex. A range of different approaches exist, including cognitive-behavioral programs, community-care programs, and drug treatments. 2 notes and 57 references