For many people, going to therapy when they have mental health concerns seems like a no-brainer. At worst, they might encounter prohibitive costs or a therapist who doesn't quite get them. But for pedophiles and other minor-attracted people (MAPs), the decision isn't so simple. For them, seeking professional support  often means risking their careers, relationships, and wellbeing, even if they've done nothing wrong. This renders therapy's  mental health and child protection benefits  inaccessible to many MAPs. The dangers MAPs face when seeking professional support stem from various sources, but all are ultimately rooted in stigma. This was documented in a 2018 study , which identified stigma as a significant deterrent to MAPs who are considering therapy. The scope of the problem can be seen in a 2011 survey , which found that 58% of MAPs want professional support but are unwilling to pursue it, with the most common reasons related to risks associated with therapy for M

Even as the benefits of destigmatizing pedophilia become more widely understood, many people continue to cling to outdated beliefs about pedophiles and other minor-attracted people (MAPs) based on widespread misinformation about these groups. Among the most common of these misinformed views is the idea that there is an inherent distinction between “pedophiles getting help” and “the MAP movement.” The primary underlying falsehood in this claim - that MAPs are inherently distinct from pedophiles - is easily disproven by pointing out that pedophiles are simply a category of MAPs , and there is little evidence that the two groups have any significant differences as they are both defined by unchosen attractions to minors. However, the belief that members of either group are disinterested in receiving support is the result of deeply-rooted misconceptions about the mental health needs of pedophiles and the goals of MAP activism. Help for pedophiles To grasp the relationship between MAP act

Despite the term's widespread use in public discourse, many people have a remarkably poor understanding of what pedophilia is and what it means for someone to be a pedophile. This can be attributed to the widespread use of inaccurate language in discussions about pedophilia and related topics. Considering the importance of these topics in discussions about child protection and other important goals, the importance of expanded access to accurate information about pedophilia is clear. Pedophilia is defined as a pattern of stable and persistent attractions to prepubescent children . It is one of four minor attractions, the others being nepiophilia (attraction to infants and toddlers), hebephilia (attraction to pubescent teens), and ephebophilia (attraction to post-pubescent minors and young adults). While most scientific definitions focus on sexual attractions, pedophilia and other minor attractions can also be experienced as romantic, aesthetic, or other types of attractions. Classi

In an effort to justify the widespread stigma directed at individuals who are attracted to minors, some people claim that this stigma plays a role in preventing pedophiles and other minor-attracted people (MAPs) from sexually abusing children. Most MAPs never offend regardless of how much stigma they encounter, but for those who are at risk of harming a child, stigma can play a role. However, it may not be the one you expect. MAP-centered stigma Stigma is defined as society's response to an individual or group's possession of a trait that causes others to view them as different or inferior. Nearly every minority experiences some level of stigma, though the severity may change over time. Stigma is typically the result of subconscious biases, though some people may make conscious efforts to justify stigmatizing others in an attempt to avoid confronting their biases. In the case of MAPs, a significant portion of the stigma is caused by society's unwillingness to differentiate

By now, you've probably heard about minor-attracted people (MAPs). Depending on who you talk to, you may have been told that the term is an attempt to rebrand or "normalize" pedophiles, that MAPs are trying to make child sexual abuse legal and socially acceptable, or that they want to infiltrate the LGBTQ community. However, these claims are misleading and reflect a coordinated effort to spread misinformation and encourage bigotry. What is a MAP? As the name suggests, a minor-attracted person is somebody who experiences attractions to minors. These attractions are usually sexual, however, there are also MAPs who experience romantic, aesthetic, or some combination of attractions to minors. The term was  popularized by mental health experts  as an umbrella term for the four minor attractions: nepiophilia (attraction to infants and toddlers), pedophilia  (attraction to prepubescent children), hebephilia (attraction to pubescent teens), and ephebophilia (attraction to post-pu

Pedophilia has been a contentious subject lately, as the topic has been increasingly used to attack political and ideological opponents. However, due to its controversial and poorly-understood nature, accuracy is rarely prioritized in resulting conversations. Consequently, most people misuse relevant terminology in ways that range from slightly inaccurate to completely nonsensical. This leads to confusion, which detracts from the conversation and impedes meaningful discussion. Pedophilia and minor attractions Pedophilia is a pattern of stable and persistent attractions to prepubescent children . It is one of four minor attractions - the others being nepiophilia (attraction to infants), hebephilia (attraction to pubescent teens), and ephebophilia (attraction to post-pubescent minors). Contrary to popular belief, minor attractions function identically to peer attractions . It should be noted that the misconceptions and inaccuracies discussed in this article apply to all minor attractions

Due to the stigma surrounding pedophilia and other minor attractions, many people have limited knowledge of these attractions and the individuals who experience them. As a result, misinformation about minor-attracted people (MAPs) and minor attractions is widespread, and it is easy to encounter false claims and misleading arguments surrounding these topics online. This article will give you the background and resources necessary to identify misinformation about pedophilia when you encounter it. Why people spread misinformation There are a variety of reasons people may spread misinformation on subjects related to pedophilia. Content creators and journalists can receive additional advertising revenue if they use clickbait, while malicious "anti-trafficking" organizations can increase their donations by utilizing misleading tactics such as fearmongering. Similarly, bigots often gain supporters and feign legitimacy by sharing inaccurate information. Worst of a

There is ongoing debate among experts and the public regarding whether or not pedophilia and other minor attractions can be cured. However, despite decades of research on the topic, there has never been any conclusive evidence suggesting that a cure for pedophilia is possible . Additionally, conversion therapy is increasingly understood to be unethical and carry a high risk of harm, and many believe that the practice should be banned. Stability over time One of the first comprehensive reviews of existing research on this topic came from clinical psychologist Dr. Michael Seto's  2012 article  demonstrating that pedophilia could be classified as an age-based sexual orientation. As Seto explained, there were already several studies where researchers claimed to have weakened or eliminated pedophilic attractions in subjects through practices like aversion therapy and masturbatory reconditioning, however, follow-up studies demonstrated that these effe

This is a common question among minor-attracted people (MAPs) who are looking for support for the first time. After all, the internet is rife with social media posts and even news articles calling pedophilia and other minor attractions illegal, so it's easy to see how one could conclude that simply experiencing an attraction to children is against the law. Pedophilia is defined  as a pattern of stable and persistent attractions to prepubescent children. Though it is often conflated with child sexual abuse, they are not the same. Other minor attractions, such as nepiophilia (attraction to infants), hebephilia (attraction to pubescent teens), and ephebophilia (attraction to post-pubescent minors), are defined similarly and this article also holds true for them. The belief that pedophilia is illegal is widespread, with many being quick to report anyone they suspect of experiencing "illegal attractions" to law enforcement and child sexual abuse reporting hotlines in hopes of