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Article: Understanding of pedophilia remains incomplete, psychologists say. (Special Report).(Brief Article)
- Article from:
- National Catholic Reporter
- Article date:
- March 15, 2002
- Author:
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The scientific understanding of pedophilia is largely incomplete, despite significant advances during the last 30 years, according to Barbara Schwartz, who holds a doctorate in psychology.
Schwartz, a Plymouth, Mass., native; is the author of several books on sex offenders and behaviors.
In a Feb. 22 interview with The Catholic Free Press, newspaper of the Worcester diocese, she said pedophilia is a mental disorder that causes a person to develop "a measurable sexual preference for prepubescent children."
This distinction separates pedophiles from the more general category of child molesters, that is, those who sexually abuse children for a ...