180 Pedophilia (302.2)
DSM-IV-TR criteria
- The person is at least age 16 years and at least 5 years older than the child or children in Criterion A.
- The fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
- Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges or behaviors involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child or children (generally age 13 or younger)
- Note: Do not include an individual in late adolescence involved in an ongoing sexual relationship with a 12- or 13-year-old
- The person must state whether they are:
- Sexually attracted to males
- Sexually attracted to females
- Sexually attracted to both males and female
- Must specify if:
- Limited to incest
- Must state whether:
- Exclusive Type (aroused only by children)
- Nonexclusive Type
Associated features
- Recurring sexual dreams, behaviors, or urges concerning children that are 13 years old or younger. These urges may be directed toward children of the same sex as the pedophiles, or the other sex. Some pedophiles are attracted to both boys and girls. Some are attracted to to only children, while others are attracted to children as well as adults. These issues must be persistent for at least 6 months and must cause impairment to everyday functioning to be considered symptoms. If an individuals is 16 years old and exhibits these behaviors with someone that is at least 5 years younger, he would be considered for this disorder.
- To be diagnosed as having Pedophilia, the individual must be at least 16 years of age. The disorder typically begins in adolescence, although some individuals with Pedophilia report that they did not become sexually aroused by children until middle adulthood.
- Pedophiles may limit their activity to exposing themselves to the child (sometimes known as flashing), touching and fondling the child gently, undressing the child and looking at him or her, or masturbating in front of the child.
Gender and cultural differences in presentation
- The word “Pedophilia” is derived from the Greek words “paidos” (child) and “philia” (love). Until recently, pedophilic individuals had found it relatively easy to gain access to unattended children. Awareness of Pedophilia has been raised in the past two decades, and it has become more difficult for these individuals to find children with whom to act out their fantasies. In response to the scarcity of vulnerable children, many pedophiles have turned to chatrooms and child pornography.
- Males are more often diagnosed with this disorder than women. Pedophilia is more prevalent among Caucasians than among other ethnicities. It is also known that if a male prefers males, it is more likely that he will repeat his pedophilic actions. This has led certain religious or otherwise radical activists to suggest that pedophilia and homosexuality are “one and the same,” resulting in f