Morality of Pedophilia

[Cirion Spellbinder]

How does pedophilia fit into a consistent moral system? How should it (ideally and practically) be treated by the government?

[Jebus]

I strongly support chemical castration for multiple offenders. Everyone would benefit from this, particularly the pedophile.

On a similar note, what do you all think of the idea of allowing pedophiles to watch child pornography. Although I believe in strong punishments for those who make such films, I think it may be a good idea to let the pedosexuals watch them since the harm to the child has already been done and this may be a safe way for them to control their urges.

[brimstoneSalad]

The big issue today is simulated child porn; where it's not even real child porn, but a computer simulation, or adult actors made to look younger with digital technology.

Does porn make people more horny and encourage sexual acts in reality, or satiate sex drives and make them less likely to act out?

[Jebus]

Does porn make people more horny and encourage sexual acts in reality, or satiate sex drives and make them less likely to act out?

I can't speak for others but I'm less horny after I spank my little monkey.

[brimstoneSalad]

Does porn make people more horny and encourage sexual acts in reality, or satiate sex drives and make them less likely to act out?

I can't speak for others but I'm less horny after I spank my little monkey.

Immediately thereafter, certainly, but what about long-term?

E.g. smoking one cigarette makes you not crave cigarettes... until you crave it even more.

[PsYcHo]

Wow. F-ed up topic. But what the heck. lets be objective.

As far as how it should be treated by the government, I think you have to separate active vs. passive pedophilia. Active pedophiles should be punished, in relation to the severity of their crime. Violence should have severe punishment, but non-violent acts are harmful as well. A child could "consent" to an act, without being able to comprehend the full ramifications. ( Pedo doesn't know he/she has aids. Child doesn't even know what that is.) So punishment should be put in place there as well.

As far as letting passive pedophiles watch child porn, "since the damage has already been done" (working on the quote function), I believe that would have to be up to the child victims. While I imagine the majority would be appalled at people pleasing themselves to their torture and/or degradation, some would undoubtedly allow it for either monetary compensation (a lot of monetary compensation), or simply they accept it as normal behavior. (I mentioned in a previous thread how some cultures accept pedophilia) I don't see this as realistic.

On to virtual child porn. Many years back during my only year in college, I read the story of a man who was sentenced to years in prison for possessing images of "child sex". It was a cartoon (or cartoons) of Bart and Lisa Simpson engaging in sex acts on each other. No actual child abuse images, just animated. I fail to see a victim in his particular case.

Now the argument about virtual porn, or even porn in general, encouraging sex acts in reality. The argument that watching fake violence encourages violence has been around for years. If you are so inclined, find the data for how many GTA, Call of Duty, Diablo, Fallout, and any other number of games featuring violence have been sold, then compare violence per capita in say the 1700's vs. today. If those games portraying violence cause violence, I, and millions of others, should be serial killing, car stealing, maniacs. It seems more likely that someone inclined to violence in the first place would play a violent game, as opposed to say Tetris. But,... what happens when someone with already violent pedophiliac tendencies watches simulated violent porn? Lots of people who have snapped and committed mass violent acts, watched violent movies beforehand. (Think Columbine and the "Basketball Diaries") Did the movies cause them to snap, or was it just a matter or time? Personally, I believe the latter. Violent people are going to be violent because they are wired that way. If you are a straight male, and stumble across gay porn, does it make you want to have sex with a man? Most males find two girls erotic, but it doesn't turn them Transgender. If an artist makes a virtual porn, and the consumer keeps himself to that virtual porn, there is no victim. You can't punish people for thought crimes, regardless of how distasteful their thoughts are.

(I have to go watch funny cat videos now.....)

[Jaywalker]

It's disgusting and I can't understand why it developed into a tradition in many cultures. Were those children of antiquity not affected badly?

Does porn make people more horny and encourage sexual acts in reality, or satiate sex drives and make them less likely to act out?

Are you against porn?

On to virtual child porn. Many years back during my only year in college, I read the story of a man who was sentenced to years in prison for possessing images of "child sex". It was a cartoon (or cartoons) of Bart and Lisa Simpson engaging in sex acts on each other. No actual child abuse images, just animated. I fail to see a victim in his particular case.

Basically convicted of thought crime. I don't know if that was justified.

[brimstoneSalad]

Are you against porn?

No, just asking. I have no opinion on porn.

[Quant_umm]

I don't have too much information but i have a thought.
I read well, hentai. There is a type that is called Shota which often shows young/ young looking guys have sex with older guys.
How would this fit in?
I personally find no interest in it, but are those who do considered pedophiles? When do fantasies because action.
I suffer from intrusive thoughts, and i think a lot of people do. They are often morbid and horrible but I would never act upon them.
Those who make pedo-porn (I don't know what to call it exactly) and those who distribute it knowingly, and those who are pedophiles should be punished.
But the lines get blurred when talking about actually consuming it.
Porn with real children means it effects children and there for is bad.
But as i was saying, what about shota? Or erotic novels with underage characters?

[PsYcHo]

@Quant_umm,

I think the majority of thinking people believe for a crime to take place, there must be an actual victim. Someone who could testify as to how you wronged them, be it physical harm, loss of property, etc. To find the hentai cartoons or novels bad would be silly. If you drew it yourself, would you be creating your own victims? I've read hundreds of murder novels, and have yet to commit a single one. (Although I can be a bit lazy...) As long as the fantasy stays a fantasy, and no one is harmed, while not approving I couldn't ethically see a reason to ban it.