A Little Catch-Up

Deposited On: 23 Nov 2011 15:24

Multi-disciplinary definitions and understandings of ‘paedophilia’

"Abstract

Despite the current high-profile concern over paedophiles and paedophilic activity, there is no easily accessible or widely accepted multi-disciplinary definition of paedophilia. Commentators have pointed to a general contemporary misunderstanding surrounding the subject of paedophilia, and to the tensions between strong beliefs and facts in both societal and correctional contexts.

We suggest that the current situation — societal, clinical and legal — can be problematic for both offenders and practitioners who are currently charged with, and involved in the risk treatment and/or management of paedophiles.

This article attempts to begin to address these issues by looking at conceptions of paedophilia from a multi-disciplinary viewpoint. We examine understandings from clinical and legal sources, and present this analysis in a historical and cultural context. In drawing these divergent conceptions together, we highlight various contradictions and discrepancies. We suggest that these inconsistencies present significant problems in terms of professional engagement with paedophilia and paedophiles, and as a result illustrate the need to engage in more detailed debate regarding what constitutes ‘the problem’.

Harrison, K. , Manning , R. and McCartan, K. (2010) Multi-disciplinary definitions and understandings of ‘paedophilia’. Social & Legal Studies, 19 (4). pp. 481-496. ISSN 0964-6639"

http://eprints.uwe.ac.uk/16028/

http://www.academia.edu/539563/Multi-Disciplinary_Definitions_and_Understandings_of_Paedophilia

December 2011

Professional responses to contemporary discourses and definitions of paedophilia

"ABSTRACT

This paper will discuss professionals’ contemporary definitions and understandings of paedophilia, based upon empirical qualitative research with a range of professionals working within paedophilia, or in related fields practitioners, academics and members of the media) (N = 28).

The research used semi-structured interviews, interpreted through qualitative (thematic) content analysis. The findings reveal that in general the professionals seem to have similar, but differently nuanced understandings of paedophilia. The professionals believe that the current definition of paedophilia, as a result of a number of factors including disparate professional discourses, has become problematic as it does not reflect the complexity of the issue or the population in question. This disharmony in professional discourse and public discussion has led to the broader societal discourse surrounding paedophilia to become maladaptive and not fit for purpose.

Therefore the professionals believe that the current discourse surrounding paedophilia, and its resulting definition, needs to be readdressed.

Kieran F. McCartan (2011) Professional responses to contemporary discourses and definitions of paedophilia. International Journal of Police Science & Management: December 2011, Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 322-335."

http://vathek.org/doi/abs/10.1350/ijps.2011.13.4.240 

http://ebookbrowse.com/prof-resp-to-contemporary-discourses-pdf-d336793963

Deposited On:: 21 Jan 2011 12:17

Current understandings of paedophilia and the resulting crisis in modern society 

"Abstract

Paedophilia has become a major social issue in modern society; however, there remains considerable ambiguity in how society understands and perceives this phenomenon.

This chapter will first examine the current theoretical and research positions surrounding paedophilia in modern society, through examining its aetiology, behaviours, personalities, cognitive distortions, grooming, potential treatments and current, as well as possible policy/legal changes, particularly in the UK.

This will then lead into a discussion of the social construction of paedophilia and the current crisis in modern society, through examining the literature on moral panics and social risks, as well as addressing the impact of the media.

This chapter will conclude by offering some suggestions for how the current ambiguity surrounding paedophilia maybe alleviated, including a need for greater research, an increase in funding, alternative approaches to treatment, a different media approach, possible future policies and a change in public awareness.

McCartan, K. (2008) Current understandings of paedophilia and the resulting crisis in modern society. In: Caroll, J. M. and Alena, M. K. , eds. (2008) Psychological Sexual Dysfunctions. New York: Nova Biomedical, pp. 51-84."

http://eprints.uwe.ac.uk/13608/

http://eprints.uwe.ac.uk/13608/2/Current_understandings_of_paedophilia_and_the_resulting_crisis_in_modern_society.pdf

2/12/2012

Final DSM 5 Approved by American Psychiatric Association 

"Pedophilic disorder criteria will remain unchanged from DSM-IV, but the disorder name will be revised from pedophilia [MAA] to pedophilic disorder (Paedophile].

Grohol, J. (2012). Final DSM 5 Approved by American Psychiatric Association. Psych Central. Retrieved on March 17, 2013, from http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2012/12/02/final-dsm-5-approved-by-american-psychiatric-association/"

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2012/12/02/final-dsm-5-approved-by-american-psychiatric-association/

Monday 18 March 2013

The paedophile - sick or criminal?

"Cardinal Napier’s attempt to medicalise paedophilia draws on prevailing therapeutic standards of accountability. The attribution of responsibility and notions of accountability are strongly influenced by prevailing social and cultural norms. Legal concepts like contributory negligence express the widely held view that responsibility for a particular injurious act can be shared.

However the contemporary therapeutic ethos goes way beyond the notion of relative accountability to implicitly question the ethic of responsibility itself. Bad habits, antisocial and destructive behaviour are frequently portrayed as the outcome of dysfunctional parenting, family violence or of people’s genes."

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/the-paedophile--sick-or-criminal-8538761.html

Posted on August 3, 2013

Outcry in the Face of Evidence

"When reading a piece in the Guardian in January in relation to paedophilia, I was amazed at the balanced nature of the reporting. This blog post was due to be positive, heralding the beginning of evidence-based and realistic reporting of controversial social and criminal phenomena. However, I have re-written this post in light of the extremely negative reaction that the piece has received."

http://craigaharper.wordpress.com/2013/08/03/outcry-in-the-face-of-evidence/