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

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