I Enjoy Pasta Because My House is Made of Bricks!

[saintsavin]

You know, I almost didn't post this. I wasn't sure if there was a way to qualify this entry in the annals of the painfully not bright without coming down on a certain side of any of the possible debates.

But then I realized: this entry, this potential post in our beloved stupid_free is not about criminal rights verses the victim rights. It's not about

Comments

[petitfour]

The stupid for me is somewhere else in that post. Sorry guys, can't go to jail just for being mentally ill. Not anymore anyway.

People like that who are still at the point where they haven't hurt anyone yet need pity and therapy, not the massive stigmatization that prevents them from getting treatment.

[outcrazyophelia]

I honestly don't know what to think in this arena since there are groups that support pedophilia as a lifestyle choice. If they don't seek help, how can they get it, and would forcing them to get it be infringing on their rights if they haven't molested a child yet? It appears you have knowledge of this sort of thing so I'm curious as to your thoughts.

[petitfour]

I mean that's the thing, is that you can't force anyone with any mental illness to seek treatment. You just hope that at some point they're able to realize what a destructive force it is and accept treatment

[outcrazyophelia]

Not having ever worked in the mental health field, I'm totally ignorant about it and the sort of stigma associated with needing help--I would have assumed the problem stemmed from needing the help for pedophilic urges since there's a visceral knee jerk reaction to it.

[petitfour]

Oh definitely that too, I mean who wants to go in to a therapist's office and say "oh hi, I'd like to book a few sessions because I um, think about children. A lot." That's probably the quickest way to get beaten with sticks in the waiting room.

[outcrazyophelia]

Yeah :/ I mean I'm not going to deny I have that knee jerk -bury them under the jail- feeling for people who molest children, but I wish they could get the help they need to eliminate the molestation part. Then I think of how much better it would be if we could address the issues that lead to other crimes and get people the help they need and I end up feeling like it's a total pipe dream or something.

[amokk]

Those who've actually molested children should be in jail, and then getting treatment. However, pedophile does not mean child molester. One requires actual action on their part.

[duckay]

Your comments are very much the reason that when I finish my Psych degree, one of the things I want to concentrate on (I plan on going into forensic psychology, but I'm very lenient about that point) is the stigma attached to seeing a psychologist. Having known a pedophile - that is, someone who was/is attracted to children, but who was not and never intended to be a child molester - my heart really aches for those people who think they need to punish themselves rather than seek help. I understand why they do it, but I really want to change that. Sure, I realise it's probably a lost cause, but I'd still like to try, y'know?

[amokk]

There's a stigma for seeing a psychologist/psychiatrist for any reason in our culture. It's not necessarily a lost cause, but it's an uphill battle.

[duckay]

That's very true. And as I said, I would very much like to change that, not just for pedophiles, but for everyone. The problem comes from trying to figure out how to change that and what measures need to be taken. It only gets worse for complicated and controversial issues like pedophilia.

It's very much a passion of mine, and something that I want to change. I can see myself giving up on it in the long run, though, because it will be awfully difficult. That's disappointing, but unfortunately true.

[amokk]

Well, as a fellow psych person, good luck.

[ex_lucretia]

I think you're completely awesome.
*random LJ person with a whole genealogical back-catalogue of insanity issues who knows from prejudice towards the mentally ill*

[duckay]

Thank you. It is rare that someone on the internet calls me 'completely awesome'. :)

[outcrazyophelia]

That's kind of how I feel about dealing with the stigma and stereotypes about people with special needs--although rather than going the medial direction, my interest is law.

[amokk]

Since medical professionals have a legal requirement to report someone who's a potential danger to themselves or others, or if they've committed a crime; combine that with the popular idea that pedophiles are also compelled to act on their desires (moreso than anyone else with any desire), and you can start to see why a lot would avoid seeking help.

If you knew there was an extremely high chance of being locked up by going to someone and admitting something, you'd be unlikely to do that and just keep it to yourself.

[rocza]

I remember this guy from when he lived in my (old) neck of the woods. My money is still on publicity seeking troll/first amendment freak trying to make a point.