Abstract
The primary label for people who are sexually attracted to children (“pedophile”) is conflated with sexual offending behavior and tainted with stigma. In the present pre-registered mixed-method study, we therefore investigated attitudes and preferences regarding "pedophile/hebephile" and other labels among 286 people who report a stronger or equally strong sexual attraction to prepubescent and pubescent children than to adults. Overall, quantitative data showed acceptance of “pedophile/hebephile” as well as a range of alternative labels in a personal (Labeling Oneself) and a professional context (Being Labeled by Others). “Minor-attracted person” and “pedophile/hebephile” received generally higher support than other terms and appeared to be least divisive across three major online fora. Qualitative data revealed four themes: “Contested self-labels,” “Person-first language and pathologizing sexuality/identity,” “Stigma and shame,” and “Reclaiming the pedophile label.” Our results allow deeper insight into reasons for adopting certain labels over others, as well as difficulties of finding a non-stigmatizing label. We discuss limitations of the study and practical implications for clinical and research contexts.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 4125-4139 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | Archives of Sexual Behavior |
Volume | 51 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sept 2022 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Keywords
- DSM-5
- Hebephilia
- Identity
- Labeling
- Mixed-method
- Pedophilia