“My grandad was the first person to achieve this, despite everyone saying it was impossible.”
So, let’s take a hypothetical position that it is possible to actually do what most paedophiles, and those involved professionally tend to agree is not possible - that one could change a sexual orientation to children (we can call it this for convenience, but it hasn’t been proved as such) into what would be regarded as normal, and I mean resolve completely, not just sublimating or controlling it.
I know the answer for many here, since they have stated their positions, commitment, and even hostility to the very idea, but I would like to hear from others who would want to change their current position. I’ll make it more enticing by adding that a philanthropist will give the first person to do so one million pounds (dollars if you’d like, but I think you would prefer pounds), after all, we have to have some incentive, apart from the greater prospect of having a less problem-strewn life.
I know there is work in the Netherlands and Germany going on that is similar, apart from all the SOTP courses available in many countries, but I believe these mainly revolve around control of behaviour rather than change in the way I am describing - as do most SOTPs. I also know that, even if possible, it would likely be very expensive (the range of what is necessary to deal with dictates this), involve much resources, commitment, time from the individual and those others involved. It might take a decade or possibly be achieved in one or two years, so how much time would you donate to such a task?
Here are some suggested items used in such work that might make such a proposition viable, although how any modules would be scheduled, their order, amount of time spent on each, etc., I wouldn’t know since I have absolutely no qualifications relating to therapy whatsoever - this is just supposition:
1. Empathy, emotions, and nurturing - These will not necessarily be absent in any particular paedophile, but might be, such that any therapy which checked or enhanced all three to normal levels (whatever that is) would probably be beneficial. It is possible that enhancing empathy and nurturing feelings towards children, if absent, will tend to replace, or check, those that see children as potential sexual partners. The enabling of emotional expression, where absent, should also enable more natural feelings to develop, such that relationships with adults will tend to be easier too, if lacking. The aim would be to see children as just children, without any more sexual feeling than any non-paedophile might have for most peers - we might find them attractive or not, but they will not usually invade our minds to provoke fantasies much of the time. It is possible that the use of virtual reality systems might have a use here, as also in item 5.
2. Blocking the libido - It is likely that during much or even the whole duration of any therapy, one might have to block any sexual desire, or limit it such that it doesn’t interfere with any work done, and drugs would probably be used to effect this. No doubt something might be required to replace this, since it does seem to be such a large part of our lives, some more so than others, but I have no idea what that might be, apart from item 6.
3. Removing the focus - Along with the last item, the other main thing that might hinder any progress will likely be the inability to avoid children in one’s environment, such that one’s feelings and thinking will constantly be triggered into reacting. Perhaps being in a retreat (monastery-like) would help here. But, whether in a retreat or not, one cannot escape what goes on in one’s head - so the next item.
4. Altering one's thinking - What much of the SOTPs tend to deal with, usually by CBT, to counter the thinking that enables paedophilia to thrive in the mind, when the absence of this will aid all the other aspects. It is just not healthy to think one way and act another, unless one wants to live a lie, so not having intrusive thoughts constantly is the aim here - actually believing that paedophilia is not what one wants. The truth or false claims of both sides will be irrelevant, since the aim is to remove oneself from the environment that tends to make one’s thoughts feed on them. After all, the aim is change, so why make it more difficult. One can see that this might be viewed as brain-washing, but the aim should be to achieve a more neutral condition, so not triggered by any particular stimuli, especially those relating to children. One’s absence from most of the so-called support forums would probably be necessary, since they don’t do much supporting, other than supporting what the person currently has. And this might be seen as more reinforcing than supporting.
5. Sexual reorientation - The heart of the matter, and the most difficult no doubt. Without much of the previous, this will probably not succeed, even if possible. Let us speculate that various drugs, hormones, or brain stimulation might enable this to happen, possibly with sex therapy involving adults (eventually), such that a more normal sexual attraction to peers would be possible. I know the history of such treatments is not good, attempts to change a homosexual orientation, for example, but it might not be beyond the realms of science to achieve this in the future - two links given shortly are worth a look. And, even if it was found that paedophilia was caused by genetic or biological influences, there still remains the possibility, as with gene or hormone therapy, that there might be successful ways to counter this.
6. Expression therapy - Whether emotional or physical, this might play a role during the whole of any course of treatment so as to keep one motivated and reduce the commotion that will be going on in one’s head while involved in any treatment. It might also support commitment, since this will be necessary in large amounts - no one would say any of this would at all be easy to achieve.
7. Resolving any other possible problems - It is not inevitable that a paedophile will have any additional problem areas in their lives than any other person, but it is often found that many will have either mental issues or personality disorders that will need to be addressed, since usually these will hinder any or all of the work going on elsewhere. Distortions in reasoning or control of behaviour will likely be two such areas. For many, dealing with any of these issues successfully will dictate whether they are able to complete any course of treatment. Self-discipline, commitment, and perseverance might also be three areas where work might be necessary.
The following two links are just a glimpse into what we might expect from future research:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 121249.htm ................. Brain's 'gender' may be quite flexible: Mechanism that plays key role in sexual differentiation of brain described
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-08-t ... xuals.html
So, would anyone prefer to see their grandchild say the sentence at the top, or is it just not possible? Surely the drive to prove everyone wrong (plus a million pounds ) is worth it, or just having the thought that one might have contributed to this in some way would give some satisfaction. Perhaps indicate which would motivate one more, the money or the change?
In our celebrity culture, the first person to actually do this might become quite famous. Although I know nearly all of this is just speculation, is it really so unbelievable that the presented scenario might be enacted in the future, so how much time would you donate to such an enterprise? I know the answer from many - none - since many just don’t see a problem with their paedophilic attraction. Society does, however, so it is your choice. I’m afraid I haven’t got a million quid, but I’ll donate a tenner (um, after I see the evidence).
It is possible that this might already have happened and is old news, but I wouldn’t know that.