Pedophilia: Biosocial Dimensions [Hardcover]

Jay R. Feierman (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 23, 1990

This book contains new biosocial theory and data as well as comprehensive reviews of the basic science and clinical literature on adult human sexual attraction to and behavior with children and adolescents. Whereas there is a large literature on the biosocial bases of human "sexual orientation," this book is the first, comprehensive biosocial examination of human erotic "age orientation". Leading researchers from the natural and social sciences show how a cross-cultural, cross-species, and cross-historical approach gives new insights into the biosocial roots of human pedophilia in contemporary industrialized societies. The volume is organized around ethologist Niko Tinbergen's four recommended dimensions by which a behavior should be understood: evolution, cause, function, and development. Using these four dimensions, pedophilia is examined at the level of the molecule, tissue, individual, family, social group, and society. This multi-level synthesis points to new evolutionary, psychological, and behavioral-physiological mechanisms by which this heretofore academically neglected aspect of human sexuality could have evolved. The material in the book is much broader than but very applicable to the topic of child sexual abuse. Pedophilia: Biosocial Dimensions should be of interest to all clinicians who work with adults, children, or adolescents who have been involved in pedophilia. Developmentalists, educators, sexologists, natural and social scientists, jurists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, clergy, correctional workers, physicians, and others will find material of interest in this book.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 594 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (April 23, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0387972439
• ISBN-13: 978-0387972435
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,602,792 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Biological theories on sexuality, September 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Pedophilia: Biosocial Dimensions (Hardcover)

A more apt title would be: "Sexuality - Biosocial dimensions". In order to establish a theoretical framework on which to base a discussion of pedophilia, the book reviews several general theories on sexual behavior. The book is therefore a valuable ressource for anybody who wants to get a general understanding of sexual behavior from the point of view of behavioral biology (=ethology) as well as for those who want to understand the biological roots of pedophilia. Unlike psychological texts, this book is virtually free of moral judgments and emotional vocabulary.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars just a few oversights, December 10, 2000

By 

George Spelvin - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pedophilia: Biosocial Dimensions (Hardcover)

The topic is explored from all angles, and I agree with the reader from Copenhagen: we see objectivity in an area where objectivity is lacking.

I take issue, however, with the article written by the editor himself. He assumes that an overdose of love for children will result in sexual attraction for children. Rather, I see people of all ages and both genders needing people of all ages and both genders, and I see people of different age/gender groups fulfilling different needs.

Research tells us that:

1. a pedophile tends to lack early experience in nurturing children younger than himself

2. pedophiles seldom offend against a child whom he had nurtured from infancy, and in fact, tends not to have nurtured any child from infancy

In light of these findings, one might conclude that pedophilia is impossible in an extended family setting, which is exactly what predominated until very recently in our evolutionary history.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars variety of viewpoints, February 14, 2003

By 

Robertson Thomas (Hapcheon, Gyeongnam, South Korea) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pedophilia: Biosocial Dimensions (Hardcover)

In this collection of essays, the topic is explored from many different angles.

Some of the writers observe other animal species. Anderson & Bielert tell us that preadolescent sex play abounds in other primate species, whereas there is very little intergenerational sex. de Wall surveys the bonobo species, in which adult males mount female juveniles. Eibl-Eibesfeldt summarizes childlike features and gestures in animals. Feierman comments that no nonhuman primate has ever been observed to prefer juveniles.

Some of the writers study history and prehistory. Diamond tells us about the culture of pre-Western Hawaii. Mackey theorizes on the origins of playfighting between adults and children.