Definition. Entry Date 9/25/2004 

Definition. Entry Date 9/25/2004

It is common knowledge that definition is a primary element to understanding important issues, therefore it would be best to define certain key words that will be used in this weblog. The first word that needs to be defined is pedophilia itself.

Legal definition:

pedophilia

"n. an obsession with children as sex objects. Overt acts, including taking sexually explicit photographs, molesting children and exposing one's genitalia to children, are all crimes. The problem with these crimes is that pedophilia is also treated as a mental illness, and the pedophile is often released only to repeat the crimes or escalate the activity to the level of murder.
See also: molestation pornography rape"

--- http://dictionary.law.com/



Standard definition:

noun

sexual desire for children: sexual desire felt by an adult for children, or the crime of sex with a child."

--- Encarta Online Dictionary



Psychological definition:

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 111-R), which is published by the American Psychological Association, supplies this definition of pedophilia: ?recurrent, intense, sexual urges and sexual arousing fantasies of at least six months duration involving sexual activity with a pre-pubescent child? (DSM, V.3, 1987).

...merely acting upon one's pedophilic urges is sufficient for a diagnosis of disorder.

--- (DSM, V.3, 1987).