Pedophilia: could it become just another sexual orientation?

Just having some fun

The phrase "sexual orientation " was used to describe pedophilia in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Please read that first sentence again. It's true, and it's coming from a professional organization that is concerned with America's mental well being. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) later corrected the wording to "sexual interest," and did say that it was all a mistake. The error would be removed in both the online version and in their latest printed manual.

The APA in a statement said, "Sexual orientation is not a term used in the diagnostic criteria for pedophilic disorder, and its use in the DSM-5 text discussion is an error." The APA refers to pedophilia as "sexual interest." The APA classify pedophilia as a disorder called "paraphilia" and not a sexual orientation. Exhibitionistic disorder, sexual sadism disorder and fetishistic disorder are known as paraphilic disorders. But how could the APA make such a mistake? Was it an error or an idea that some APA members were actually considering pedophilia to be re-classified as just another sexual orientation?  (more...)

Pedophilia: could it become just another sexual orientation?