18 Mar Diagnostic labels often have precise definitions within a professional context.
Sex Research Content
Using Diagnostic Labels Accurately
Diagnostic labels often have precise definitions within a professional context. In Chapters 13 and 14 of your textbook, we learned the definitions employed in the DSM-V for various atypical sexual interests or activities. The DSM recognizes paraphilias, intense and atypical interests, and paraphilic disorders, which are recurrent, last at least six months, and create distress or impairment to the individual.
A highly publicized paraphilia is pedophilic disorder, in which the objects of recurrent, intense, sexually arousing fantasies, urges, or behaviors are directed at prepubescent children (under 13 years of age). Some men and women do engage in sexual contact with 8- or 9-year-olds. Such contact meets the definition of the paraphilia; if it is repeated over time (recurrent), occurs over months or years, and is distressing, the person qualifies for the diagnosis of pedophilic disorder.
But many kinds of people engage in sexual contact with children or adolescents. Media reports often label such persons “child molesters” or pedophiles, but are they?
Instructions
For this assignment, consider the following cases:
An uncle engages in masturbation with his 8-year-old nephew several times over a two-year period.
An aunt engages in intercourse with her 16-year-old nephew several times over a two-year period.
A female teacher engages in sexual intercourse with a 12-year-old student several times in one year.
A youth orchestra director engages in intercourse twice with a 17-year-old member of the orchestra.
A 16- and a 15-year-old are in a long-term, physically intimate relationship.
In a written response, provide your answers to the following:
In which of these cases can one of the participants legitimately be labeled a pedophile? Why?
If a case does not meet the definition of pedophilia, what else might it be defined as? Why?
Be sure to clearly label each case and thoroughly explain your response.
Due
Assignment is due on Thursday by 11:59 p.m. ET
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