• LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net
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    3 days ago

    Curious how much hate I’ll get for saying this but I unironically think we should stop attacking pedophiles. They’re a tiny problem, already widely hated and illegal so there’s no need to express any additional feelings about them. And the intense anger and hatred cultivated around them is mainly just a weapon powerful people use to manipulate us.

      • LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net
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        1 day ago

        I expected this and I am willing to accept the abuse to make what I feel is an important point about how we’re being manipulated.

        Frankly, I am shocked only one person has chimed in with this type of comment so far.

        • MissJinx@lemmy.world
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          1 day ago

          Manipulated? So you think it’s ok to see children as sexual objects?

          Edit: It was a joke above but If you are not a pedophile please elaborate. I can not see how to excuse thia behavior, but maybe you have a better take. I am open to you opinion

          • FiskFisk33@startrek.website
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            13 hours ago

            no one said anything at all about excusing the behaviour, the argument I see is that an excessive amount of mind space and resources is spent combating it.

            I don’t think you intentionally created a straw man, but a straw man you did create.

    • Allero@lemmy.today
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      3 days ago

      There’s actually more to it!

      Popular culture tends to equate the terms “pedophile” and “child molester”, even though most pedophiles never sexually abuse any children, and not all child molesters are driven by pedophilia.

      By spreading the hate for all pedophiles, not only do we spread hate for people that never chose to be like that, we also contribute to their social isolation and inability to gain professional help, while at the same time reinforcing the “pedophile = predator” pattern.

      Therapy for pedophilia is available, and it works. We need nonjudgmental ways to direct such people to get help, not panic and outcry.

      • Don Piano@feddit.org
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        1 day ago

        When I studied with a researcher on this, I learned it even stronger than “not all”: Most perpetrators of child sexual abuse are specifically not pedophiles. By focusing on pedophilia (and there focusing on expressing anger rather than effective preventative measures, which feature support rather than trying to feel morally superior), resources are not only overallocated in one place but underallocated in another, thus making the problem worse

        • Allero@lemmy.today
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          24 hours ago

          Heard of that claim before, but didn’t find studies to back it up, so didn’t include it here. Won’t be surprised if it is true, though

      • JohnAnthony@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        2 days ago

        That is well said and something I often struggle to express without sounding super creepy. If someone is attracted to kids, but would never touch one because they know it would be profoundly wrong, I believe they should be congratulated and directed to therapy. Prison, a public lynching or self loathing and isolation are not going to help.

        Which doesn’t have much in common with pedo island, obviously.

    • Eq0@literature.cafe
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      3 days ago

      I don’t disagree, except in the Epstein case the problem is not (only) that there are a bunch of pedophiles. I would say that the problem is that there is a broad, rich, influential network of pedophiles, that could be easily dismantled if the Epstein files were properly investigated. The magnitude of the event makes it all the more revolting.

      • StrongHorseWeakNeigh@piefed.social
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        3 days ago

        Another part of the problem is when people say, “Kill all pedophiles” and people agree or at least don’t strongly disagree. Then, some of those people who say, “kill all pedophiles” also turn around and say that trans people are groomers and pedophiles.

      • LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net
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        3 days ago

        I had a feeling people would bring this up. But was the problem with Epstein that people feel too warmly towards pedophiles? Or is it that we let the rich and powerful get away with almost anything?

        If Epstein was just some random pauper victimizing people he would have gone to jail much sooner.

        And, Epstein is actually being used as a political tool right now. I think that use happens to be appropriate in this specific case but the broader pattern is not as benign.