The Pedophile as a Human Being An Autoethnography for the Recognition of a Marginalized Sexual Orientation

Jul 6, 2026

Pedophilia is often conflated with child sexual abuse in public discourse and media, obscuring the distinct lived experience of “minor attracted persons” (MAPs). Drawing on neurological research and an autoethnographic account, the article argues that pedophilic feelings can function as an innate sexual orientation. Stigma and silence intensify emotional isolation, leaving young people without support. Increased openness, the work contends, may reduce risk of abuse while restoring personhood and recognition.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time45 min

Introduction and Rationale

Article The Pedophile as a Human Being: An Autoethnography for the Recognition of a Marginalized Sexual Orientation Brecht Vaerwaeter (pseudonym) Author email: [brecht.vaerwaeter@protonmail.com](brecht.vaerwaeter@protonmail.com) Submitted: 28 May 2021, accepted: 4 April 2022, published: 29 April 2022 Abstract: By the general public and in the media, pedophilia as a sexual orientation is systematically confused with sexual abuse of minors. Neurological research supports the idea that pedophilia is an innate sexual orientation, and that is how pedophiles, in the sense of ‘minor attracted persons,’ experience it themselves. The stigma attached to pedophilia as a sexual orientation ensures that pedophiles live in emotional isolation and that young people with pedophilic feelings have nowhere to turn with their doubtsand fears. However, pedophiles are not destined to abuse children, and more openness about living with pedophilia can actually prevent child sexual abuse. In this article, based on an autoethnography, I want to provide more insight into what it means to grow up and live with a pedophilic orientation, and I want to make a case for turning the pedophile into a human being again. Keywords: pedophilia; paedophilia; minor attracted person; sexual identity; sexual orientation; autoethnography How to cite: Vaerwaeter, B. (pseudonym) The Pedophile as a Human Being: An Autoethnography for the Recognition of a Marginalized Sexual Orientation. Journal of Controversial Ideas 2022 , 2(1), 3; doi:10 .35995/jci02010003 . © 2022 Copyright by the author. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. 1. Introduction and Rationale DSM 51 makes a distinction between pedophilia as a paraphilia and pedosexual behavior as a paraphilic disorder, both oriented towards prepubescent children. A paraphilia is defined as ‘the experience of intense sexual arousal to atypical objects, situations, fantasies, behaviors, or individuals.’ In the discussions within the American Psychiatric Association (APA) prior to the publication of DSM 5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. ), calling pedophilia a sexual orientation2 rather than a paraphilia has been considered, but this was ultimately not implemented because APA 1 APA. (2013) . Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. American Psychiatric Association, 21 . 2 Seto, M. C. (2012) . Is pedophilia a sexual orientation? Archives of Sexual Behavior, 41 (1), 231–36 . wanted to avoid normalizing pedophilia, as that could be interpreted as not prioritizing the protection of children over the interests of pedophiles.3 In clinical practice, an exclusive sexual interest in young adolescents (hebephilia) is also considered a paraphilia. Having pedophilic or hebephilic feelings4 is not a criminal offense, although it is widely regarded as outright reprehensible.5 Putting these sexual preferences into practice is punishable, inmost circumstances and worldwide, and is considered by DSM 5 a symptom of pedophilic disorder.6 The above clinical and legal descriptions conceal the inconvenient truth that many men, as well as some women, are attracted almost exclusively to minors, and that many of them for this single reason feel abandoned by society. Even though the proportion of them who put their preferences into practice is unknown, it seems clear that many do not engage in it,7 ,8 but still suffer from the burden and stigma associated with pedophilia.9 Those who suffer from—and I use these words deliberately—pedophilic feelings rarely, if ever, communicate about it with family members, friends, acquaintances, colleagues, or even therapists, for fear of an imminent social vacuum.10 As a result, there is relatively little scientific research on people with pedophilic preferences (also called ‘minor attracted persons’ or MAPs), especially on those who have nev

FAQs

How does the article distinguish pedophilia as an orientation from child sexual abuse?

The article argues that media and public discussions systematically confuse pedophilia with abuse. It emphasizes the separate concept of pedophilic feelings experienced as an orientation, rather than an inevitable drive to offend.

What framework does the article use to explain pedophilic experiences?

It is grounded in an autoethnography and discusses how neurological research and the concept of “minor attracted persons” relate to innate sexual orientation. The author focuses on what it means to grow up and live with these feelings.

Why does the article claim stigma can increase harm rather than prevent it?

Stigma is presented as ensuring emotional isolation and discouraging communication with family, friends, or even therapists. The article argues that limited support and secrecy can leave young people with doubts and fears and provides “nowhere to turn.”

What solution does the article propose regarding openness and recognition?

The article calls for turning the pedophile into a human being again through more openness about living with pedophilia. It suggests that recognizing pedophilic feelings as an orientation can help prevent child sexual abuse.

Jul 6, 2026

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