Pedophilia as social construct
2002-04-30 17:07:00+00 by
Dan Lyke
2 comments
A New York Times article examines Harris Mirkin's assertion that the
panic over pedophilia fit a pattern of public response to female sexuality and homosexuality, both of which were once considered deviant.
"I don't think it's something where we should just clamp our heads in
horror," he said of pedophilia. "In 1900, everybody assumed that
masturbation had grave physical consequences; that didn't make it
true." "These things that you're sure of," he added, "you really ought
to check out and test."
[ related topics:
Children and growing up Sexual Culture
]
comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):
#Comment made: 2002-05-01 15:46:43+00 by:
Mars Saxman
Of course he's going to get flamed beyond all belief, but it's about time
somebody said it. This pedophilia-obsession has gone from a harmless
taboo to a full-on knee-jerking panic, and the response is doing more
harm than good.
-Mars
#Comment made: 2002-05-01 16:02:09+00 by:
Shawn
He's not the only one saying this (and not the only one under attack for it). I highly recommend the two facinating books on my Currently Reading list. Reading them together (although I started Not In Front of the Children much earlier) is turning out to work quite well. NIFotC is a bit dry and technical, while the Harmful to Minors writing style is more a rambling commentary (so far - I'm into the second chapter). Harmful mentions court cases/decisions and key players in obcenity/indecency issues whereas NIFotC provides the details. They compliment each other nicely.