Perverted Injustice? Backlash growing against NBCs "To Catch a Predator"

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DougK62

Diamond Member
Mar 28, 2001
8,035
6
81
Originally posted by: Amused
Why do people keep making the mistake of calling these people "pedophiles?"

A pedophile prefers pre-pubescent children. The people in these stings are going after teens.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedophilia
Pedophilia, paedophilia or pædophilia (see spelling differences) is the paraphilia of being sexually attracted primarily or exclusively to prepubescent or peripubescent children. Persons with this attraction are called pedophiles.

THANK YOU. Finally someone who understands. This show lures people to the house with a hot 18 year old actress. This is VERY DIFFERENT than using an 8 year old kid as bait...

 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,445
19,895
146
Originally posted by: DougK62
Originally posted by: Amused
Why do people keep making the mistake of calling these people "pedophiles?"

A pedophile prefers pre-pubescent children. The people in these stings are going after teens.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedophilia
Pedophilia, paedophilia or pædophilia (see spelling differences) is the paraphilia of being sexually attracted primarily or exclusively to prepubescent or peripubescent children. Persons with this attraction are called pedophiles.

THANK YOU. Finally someone who understands. This show lures people to the house with a hot 18 year old actress. This is VERY DIFFERENT than using an 8 year old kid as bait...

Um, no. That was not my point.

The show has someone pretending to be a 14 year old girl/boy luring the predators. Attempting to have sex with a post-puberty teen under 17 is still illegal and wrong... but it is not pedophilia.
 

rivan

Diamond Member
Jul 8, 2003
9,677
3
81
Originally posted by: Amused
Why do people keep making the mistake of calling these people "pedophiles?"

A pedophile prefers pre-pubescent children. The people in these stings are going after teens.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedophilia
Pedophilia, paedophilia or pædophilia (see spelling differences) is the paraphilia of being sexually attracted primarily or exclusively to prepubescent or peripubescent children. Persons with this attraction are called pedophiles.

Because the distinction between pubescent and pre-pubescent isn't a line clearly identifiable by law. Some kids hit it at 12, others at 15. The line we draw where it's a crime is 16 (17 in some states, I think?) and no matter the exact age of the 'bait' 13, 14, 15, none of the men I've seen has any business approaching them. I don't think I've seen a perp younger than 25, and most are over 30, and there's simply no reason someone that age should be looking for a girl that young. Period.

So... what do we call them? Pedophiles, because it's a term that very nearly perfectly fits the usage, and there's no word better that I know of.

As for the DA - good riddance - save us the trouble of prosecuting and housing his ass while he does his time, then paying for his 'rehab'. Someone above mentioned a softer stance, asking that we understand these people need help - and I agree with that. The thing is, too often they don't get it until they've distorted one or more children's childhoods. The fastest way to get my hackles up is to mess with someone who's defenseless, and children are as defenseless as they come.
 

DaShen

Lifer
Dec 1, 2000
10,710
1
0
And to the people who say that I am playing devil's advocate and saying the these people are totally different from us and that they should be shot...
When was the last time you ever talked to a person who was different then you? Have you ever really looked at the whole issue from all sides or did you come to those conclusions based on preconceived ideas about how much better you are than the rest of society?

What do you have to boast for? I can probably boast more. For G-d's sake, I have never even gotten a speeding ticket, I regularly give to charities, I volunteer as much as I can, I will go out of my way for almost anyone.... Just yesterday, I went into a restaurant during my lunch break bought some food and handed it out to some poor people on the street (I don't say this to boast but rather to show you, what is the point in looking at yourself and thinking you are better than someone else? All it does it generate more problems).

If you actually talk to an alcoholic, or a drug user, or someone in prison... most of them are pretty normal except for their mentallity. They are selfish and they only look out for themselves. You accept them, show them how messed up their problem is, and show them a better way and they can change. If they don't change or don't reject their selfish mentallity, let the law deal with them, but don't judge every person just based on one person's ignorance.
 

rivan

Diamond Member
Jul 8, 2003
9,677
3
81
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: DougK62
Originally posted by: Amused
Why do people keep making the mistake of calling these people "pedophiles?"

A pedophile prefers pre-pubescent children. The people in these stings are going after teens.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedophilia
Pedophilia, paedophilia or pædophilia (see spelling differences) is the paraphilia of being sexually attracted primarily or exclusively to prepubescent or peripubescent children. Persons with this attraction are called pedophiles.

THANK YOU. Finally someone who understands. This show lures people to the house with a hot 18 year old actress. This is VERY DIFFERENT than using an 8 year old kid as bait...

Um, no. That was not my point.

The show has someone pretending to be a 14 year old girl/boy luring the predators. Attempting to have sex with a post-puberty teen under 17 is still illegal and wrong... but it is not pedophilia.

So what would you change? Stop doing it, or perhaps get an actual 14 year old to pose for the pervs? Maybe teach him/her to talk dirty on MSN, too?

There's no alternative, just like there's no alternative to having people undercover in any other sting, whether it's for drugs, prostitution or anything else.
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,445
19,895
146
Originally posted by: rivan
Originally posted by: Amused
Why do people keep making the mistake of calling these people "pedophiles?"

A pedophile prefers pre-pubescent children. The people in these stings are going after teens.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedophilia
Pedophilia, paedophilia or pædophilia (see spelling differences) is the paraphilia of being sexually attracted primarily or exclusively to prepubescent or peripubescent children. Persons with this attraction are called pedophiles.

Because the distinction between pubescent and pre-pubescent isn't a line clearly identifiable by law. Some kids hit it at 12, others at 15. The line we draw where it's a crime is 16 (17 in some states, I think?) and no matter the exact age of the 'bait' 13, 14, 15, none of the men I've seen has any business approaching them. I don't think I've seen a perp younger than 25, and most are over 30, and there's simply no reason someone that age should be looking for a girl that young. Period.

So... what do we call them? Pedophiles, because it's a term that very nearly perfectly fits the usage, and there's no word better that I know of.

Um, no. You're wrong. And that's why the show doesn't even use that word. They use "child predator."

Ephebophilia, also known as hebephilia, is the condition of being sexually attracted primarily or exclusively to adolescents.
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,445
19,895
146
Originally posted by: rivan
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: DougK62
Originally posted by: Amused
Why do people keep making the mistake of calling these people "pedophiles?"

A pedophile prefers pre-pubescent children. The people in these stings are going after teens.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedophilia
Pedophilia, paedophilia or pædophilia (see spelling differences) is the paraphilia of being sexually attracted primarily or exclusively to prepubescent or peripubescent children. Persons with this attraction are called pedophiles.

THANK YOU. Finally someone who understands. This show lures people to the house with a hot 18 year old actress. This is VERY DIFFERENT than using an 8 year old kid as bait...

Um, no. That was not my point.

The show has someone pretending to be a 14 year old girl/boy luring the predators. Attempting to have sex with a post-puberty teen under 17 is still illegal and wrong... but it is not pedophilia.

So what would you change? Stop doing it, or perhaps get an actual 14 year old to pose for the pervs? Maybe teach him/her to talk dirty on MSN, too?

There's no alternative, just like there's no alternative to having people undercover in any other sting, whether it's for drugs, prostitution or anything else.

I wouldn't change a thing, except for the misuse of the word "pedophile" in this thread. :p
 

DaShen

Lifer
Dec 1, 2000
10,710
1
0
By the way, I am looking at a map right now that I helped create that shows the places where sex offenders live in the area. You would be surprised at how normal problems like this are. Normal at least statistically, but still a serious and disgusting problem!

I forgot the statistic, but I think I remember that 1 in 5 or 1 in 4, girls in our society have had some sexual abuse done to them by someone they know growing up. It is really a sad situation. When it comes down to it, all humans have the capability for being as evil as the worst people you can think of. Look at the Nazi officers. They did horrible things "following orders" and because their mentallity/belief made them think they were better than other people (same thing going on here), yet in the end most of these people grew up in middle class homes in Germany with average family backgrounds. Why did they do it? Wrong belief structure and also because they are human (and capable of evil).
 

DougK62

Diamond Member
Mar 28, 2001
8,035
6
81
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: DougK62
Originally posted by: Amused
Why do people keep making the mistake of calling these people "pedophiles?"

A pedophile prefers pre-pubescent children. The people in these stings are going after teens.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedophilia
Pedophilia, paedophilia or pædophilia (see spelling differences) is the paraphilia of being sexually attracted primarily or exclusively to prepubescent or peripubescent children. Persons with this attraction are called pedophiles.

THANK YOU. Finally someone who understands. This show lures people to the house with a hot 18 year old actress. This is VERY DIFFERENT than using an 8 year old kid as bait...

Um, no. That was not my point.

The show has someone pretending to be a 14 year old girl/boy luring the predators. Attempting to have sex with a post-puberty teen under 17 is still illegal and wrong... but it is not pedophilia.

I worded my reply poorly. I just meant to say that (while still illegal and wrong) a person going after teens is much different mentally than a pedophile.

 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,445
19,895
146
Originally posted by: DougK62

I worded my reply poorly. I just meant to say that (while still illegal and wrong) a person going after teens is much different mentally than a pedophile.

Well, on that point I agree with you.
 

DaShen

Lifer
Dec 1, 2000
10,710
1
0
Originally posted by: DougK62
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: DougK62
Originally posted by: Amused
Why do people keep making the mistake of calling these people "pedophiles?"

A pedophile prefers pre-pubescent children. The people in these stings are going after teens.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedophilia
Pedophilia, paedophilia or pædophilia (see spelling differences) is the paraphilia of being sexually attracted primarily or exclusively to prepubescent or peripubescent children. Persons with this attraction are called pedophiles.

THANK YOU. Finally someone who understands. This show lures people to the house with a hot 18 year old actress. This is VERY DIFFERENT than using an 8 year old kid as bait...

Um, no. That was not my point.

The show has someone pretending to be a 14 year old girl/boy luring the predators. Attempting to have sex with a post-puberty teen under 17 is still illegal and wrong... but it is not pedophilia.

I worded my reply poorly. I just meant to say that (while still illegal and wrong) a person going after teens is much different mentally than a pedophile.

Different, but not that much different. They still get a thrill out of the taboo and taking away someone's innocence. :( Bad outlook.

Most teenagers aren't ready for something like that.
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,445
19,895
146
Originally posted by: DaShen

Different, but not that much different. They still get a thrill out of the taboo and taking away someone's innocence. :( Bad outlook.

Most teenagers aren't ready for something like that.

There is a marked difference between being attracted to someone who is post puberty, vs being attracted to someone who is prepubescent.
 

Raduque

Lifer
Aug 22, 2004
13,140
138
106
Originally posted by: DaShen
And to the people who say that I am playing devil's advocate and saying the these people are totally different from us and that they should be shot...
When was the last time you ever talked to a person who was different then you? Have you ever really looked at the whole issue from all sides or did you come to those conclusions based on preconceived ideas about how much better you are than the rest of society?

What do you have to boast for? I can probably boast more. For G-d's sake, I have never even gotten a speeding ticket, I regularly give to charities, I volunteer as much as I can, I will go out of my way for almost anyone.... Just yesterday, I went into a restaurant during my lunch break bought some food and handed it out to some poor people on the street (I don't say this to boast but rather to show you, what is the point in looking at yourself and thinking you are better than someone else? All it does it generate more problems).

If you actually talk to an alcoholic, or a drug user, or someone in prison... most of them are pretty normal except for their mentallity. They are selfish and they only look out for themselves. You accept them, show them how messed up their problem is, and show them a better way and they can change. If they don't change or don't reject their selfish mentallity, let the law deal with them, but don't judge every person just based on one person's ignorance.

Pffft, this is ATOT, where everybody knows everything better then you, and making sense with a logical argument is unwelcome.

Oh, and for rivan... there IS is a word for being primarily attracted to post-pubescents. Try this.
 

DaShen

Lifer
Dec 1, 2000
10,710
1
0
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: DaShen

Different, but not that much different. They still get a thrill out of the taboo and taking away someone's innocence. :( Bad outlook.

Most teenagers aren't ready for something like that.

There is a marked difference between being attracted to someone who is post puberty, vs being attracted to someone who is prepubescent.

Yes there is, but the root attraction is still the same.

I do understand the significance of being attracted to a person that is not sexual primed to pass down the genetic primers compared to someone who is physically mature enough to procreate, but the mentallity is still quite similar. The physical attraction, in and of itself is different, but the mentallity is the same.
 

rudder

Lifer
Nov 9, 2000
19,441
86
91
Originally posted by: DaShen
Originally posted by: rudder

How can you even suggest accepting these people? They are different. They are greedy assholes that would trade 10 minutes of pleasure for a childs future. They know that this is inherently wrong. Why would me convincing them of that change thier behavior?

Obviously you don't work in CJ.
Also, do you want to be part of the problem or part of the solution?

One main things that is the cause of a lot of social problems is the fact that societies view certain people as being totally different than other people when in actuallity most people are pretty much the same. Everyone is inherently evil and selfish.

Yes, what they do is sick and disgusting, but after working in this area for a while, I have found that most of them are pretty normal people, except that they rationalize what they do and think of it as something ingrained in their behavior, which they cannot change. You accept a person for who they are and slowly try to show them how wrong their thinking is while still accepting them, and they may change. Of course, this takes a willingness to change by the individual too. They must recognize that they are messed up individuals.

Actually, what is funny is that AA and other organizations are set up on similar principles.

The ones that do not wish to change, and actually commit a crime, deserve justice, but the ones who want to change should have some type of organization that can help them. But sadly, society stigmatizes them so much that nothing happens and they offend or repeat offend.

You should watch the movie "The Woodsman". It is a pretty good movie that talks about this issue from the side of a sex offender who wishes to change. The fact of the matter is that our system is not set up to rehabilitate people, but rather to lock them up, and more than likely make it even easier for them when they get out to repeat offend because their mentallity gets worse in jail. That is why I like where I am working in CJ right now. Less recitivism. Sure I work in IT, but I see that the long term goal of the department I work in is rehabilitation with justice, not lock up and throw away the key.

Yes I agree everyone is inherently evil and selfish. And there are some isolated cases where someone has a brain defect and they truly cannot distinguish right from wrong. However, I would bet the majority of child molesters KNOW that their actions are wrong. There is a line. These pedos and molesters know what will happen when they cross it.

I for one am not going to bet a child's future on the fact that a molester MAY change his behavior.

Lets not forget there is a victim here. This victim has been given a life sentence.
 

Alex

Diamond Member
Oct 26, 1999
6,995
0
0
that show is cruel though... they really expose and humiliate those sick twisted people... its kinda funny at the time but no laughing matter really
 

jlbenedict

Banned
Jul 10, 2005
3,724
0
0
I agree with what NBC is doing, but there is a little prejudice, but the statistics are minor.

I am not sure the real stats, but I'm quite sure men outnumber the women in reference to online preditors, but without a doubt, I'm sure women that follow this similiar behavior, exist.

So, why aren't women targetted in a sting such as this? I'm sure most of the American public is being blinded and are being brainwashed into thinking that men are the only ones taking forth in such crude acts.

I'm by no means taking up for the bad guys, but if you are going to lay down the law, then it should be equal. Or at least put forth a little effort in targetting both sexes, since women are as guilty as men in online preditorism

 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,445
19,895
146
Originally posted by: DaShen
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: DaShen

Different, but not that much different. They still get a thrill out of the taboo and taking away someone's innocence. :( Bad outlook.

Most teenagers aren't ready for something like that.

There is a marked difference between being attracted to someone who is post puberty, vs being attracted to someone who is prepubescent.

Yes there is, but the root attraction is still the same.

I do understand the significance of being attracted to a person that is not sexual primed to pass down the genetic primers compared to someone who is physically mature enough to procreate, but the mentallity is still quite similar. The physical attraction, in and of itself is different, but the mentallity is the same.

Actually, the attraction to someone who is past puberty is perfectly normal. And the only thing that stops us from carrying through with that attraction is morality and ethics.

The sexual attraction to someone prepubescent is abnormal.

So while the ethics may be similar, the attraction is far from such. What makes a post pubescent predator is a lack of ethics/morality. What makes a pedophile is an abnormal sexual attraction combined with a lack of ethics and morality.
 

DaShen

Lifer
Dec 1, 2000
10,710
1
0
Originally posted by: rudder
Yes I agree everyone is inherently evil and selfish. And there are some isolated cases where someone has a brain defect and they truly cannot distinguish right from wrong. However, I would bet the majority of child molesters KNOW that their actions are wrong. There is a line. These pedos and molesters know what will happen when they cross it.

I for one am not going to bet a child's future on the fact that a molester MAY change his behavior.

Lets not forget there is a victim here. This victim has been given a life sentence.

I am speaking of prevention here. If the community had an outlet (be it church, temple, non-profit) for people who are struggling with these issues and wished to change, and there was a system set in place for people with these problems (like AA). I believe you would see a lot less recitivism.

Once a person commits a crime, justice must be handed out.
 

DaShen

Lifer
Dec 1, 2000
10,710
1
0
Originally posted by: Amused
Actually, the attraction to someone who is past puberty is perfectly normal. And the only thing that stops us from carrying through with that attraction is morality and ethics.

The sexual attraction to someone prepubescent is abnormal.

So while the ethics may be similar, the attraction is far from such. What makes a post pubescent predator is a lack of ethics/morality. What makes a pedophile is an abnormal sexual attraction combined with a lack of ethics and morality.

Then I agree with you. Both lack a certain ethical mentallity and the outlook on both is the same, but the physical attraction is very different.

I can be the first to say that there are some people that are teenagers that are very physically attractive, but I would not even consider anything because of the stage they are mentally developmentally. I mean, one of the best times for a women to have a child is in their late teens (16-18) physically, but because of the way society is set up to further a person potential, people are not ready for such a commitment till later in life.

With the right mentallity though, guys aren't just goign to go for a girl based on their physical attractiveness, but also their minds. (chessey, I know but true. And as you know, everything is better with cheese)
 

rudder

Lifer
Nov 9, 2000
19,441
86
91
Originally posted by: DaShen
If you actually talk to an alcoholic, or a drug user, or someone in prison... most of them are pretty normal except for their mentallity. They are selfish and they only look out for themselves. You accept them, show them how messed up their problem is, and show them a better way and they can change. If they don't change or don't reject their selfish mentallity, let the law deal with them, but don't judge every person just based on one person's ignorance.


The thing about alcoholics and drug users is they are hurting themselves. They may be affecting some loved ones but nothing akin to being a victim of sexual molestation, particularly a small child. There is no excuse. Why don't you save some of that passion for the victims?

Again... if you have a convicted child molester and you have small children, would you want that person living next to you?

 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,445
19,895
146
Originally posted by: DaShen
Originally posted by: Amused
Actually, the attraction to someone who is past puberty is perfectly normal. And the only thing that stops us from carrying through with that attraction is morality and ethics.

The sexual attraction to someone prepubescent is abnormal.

So while the ethics may be similar, the attraction is far from such. What makes a post pubescent predator is a lack of ethics/morality. What makes a pedophile is an abnormal sexual attraction combined with a lack of ethics and morality.

Then I agree with you. Both lack a certain ethical mentallity and the outlook on both is the same, but the physical attraction is very different.

I can be the first to say that there are some people that are teenagers that are very attractive, but I would not even consider anything because of the stage they are mentally developmentally. I mean, one of the best times for a women to have a child is in their late teens (16-18) physically, but because of the way society is set up to further a person potential, people are not ready for such a commitment till later in life.

Well, if we agree WTF are we going to argue about? :|

;)