And this goes deeper than simply not consuming CP. Is attraction to minors creating hostile and uncomfortable atmosphere for minors? People are very aware of the feeling of being sexualised, and it is harmful to your ability to just, exist safely and be yourself.
Someone attracted to minors may never consume CP or assault a minor, but they can still perpetuate harm through their interactions with minors. I don’t know a single woman, for instance, who doesn’t have some story about a teacher who made them so painfully uncomfortable in class that they still remember it as an adult. And those sorts of interactions, even absent such a clear power dynamic, shapes the psyche and the self-image of the children experiencing it. It alters how they see themselves, and alters how they believe they should be treated by others. Which in turn perpetuates these dynamics of sexualisation and objectification.
they can still perpetuate harm through their interactions with minors
This is so prevalent in society that I don’t know if it’s “pedophilia” or the way sexual violence has been normalized. I find it hard to define a pedophile completely detached from predation against children, which is why I can’t see it as a “sexuality”.
As a bisexual I can interact with other adults without sexual motivations. Can a pedophile?
I’m sorry if this comment has little depth. I’m exhausted from the mere two comments I made, this type of conversation isn’t easy.
No, I absolutely understand, it’s a really difficult conversation, and one that requires an entire societal overhaul of the objectification of bodies, the understanding of sexuality, and the dynamics of consent. Unfortunately, it’s also something that I don’t see being resolved in a capitalist society, which inherently relies on bodies being reduced to objects for exploitation.
I think there are ways to address non-predatory (? I don’t think this is the right term, but I mean attraction that hasn’t been acted upon and is understood to be something to work to overcome, ie trauma responses and intrusive thoughts) but those methods require extensive social care networks that simply cannot exist under capitalism. It also requires a strict adherence to ensuring above all the protection of children from harm.
And this goes deeper than simply not consuming CP. Is attraction to minors creating hostile and uncomfortable atmosphere for minors? People are very aware of the feeling of being sexualised, and it is harmful to your ability to just, exist safely and be yourself.
Someone attracted to minors may never consume CP or assault a minor, but they can still perpetuate harm through their interactions with minors. I don’t know a single woman, for instance, who doesn’t have some story about a teacher who made them so painfully uncomfortable in class that they still remember it as an adult. And those sorts of interactions, even absent such a clear power dynamic, shapes the psyche and the self-image of the children experiencing it. It alters how they see themselves, and alters how they believe they should be treated by others. Which in turn perpetuates these dynamics of sexualisation and objectification.
This is so prevalent in society that I don’t know if it’s “pedophilia” or the way sexual violence has been normalized. I find it hard to define a pedophile completely detached from predation against children, which is why I can’t see it as a “sexuality”.
As a bisexual I can interact with other adults without sexual motivations. Can a pedophile?
I’m sorry if this comment has little depth. I’m exhausted from the mere two comments I made, this type of conversation isn’t easy.
No, I absolutely understand, it’s a really difficult conversation, and one that requires an entire societal overhaul of the objectification of bodies, the understanding of sexuality, and the dynamics of consent. Unfortunately, it’s also something that I don’t see being resolved in a capitalist society, which inherently relies on bodies being reduced to objects for exploitation.
I think there are ways to address non-predatory (? I don’t think this is the right term, but I mean attraction that hasn’t been acted upon and is understood to be something to work to overcome, ie trauma responses and intrusive thoughts) but those methods require extensive social care networks that simply cannot exist under capitalism. It also requires a strict adherence to ensuring above all the protection of children from harm.