If all child molesters were suddenly gone...

[radcen]

If every single person on the face of the earth that has ever molested a child, or even thought about it, were to suddenly disappear from the face of the earth... all rapture-like... and we had a period in time where there were literally no molesters, would child molestation cease to exist?

Or, are some people just wired that way at birth, and new molesters would be born?

Disclaimer: This is NOT a question about right or wrong or what their punishment should be.

 

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Most molesters are former victims of molest themselves so I'm thinking this is (in the majority of the cases) a result of environmental factors rather than an inborn desire.

 

[radcen]

Most molesters are former victims of molest themselves so I'm thinking this is (in the majority of the cases) a result of environmental factors rather than an inborn desire.

Is it possible it could be hereditary? In some cases, not necessarily all.

 

[Aunt Spiker]

Most molesters are former victims of molest themselves so I'm thinking this is (in the majority of the cases) a result of environmental factors rather than an inborn desire.

So you think people molest because they were molested - absolutely? Or do you think it's just a possible factor for some people?

I've never had compulsions to molest others :shrug:

 

[Bodi]

If every single person on the face of the earth that has ever molested a child, or even thought about it, were to suddenly disappear from the face of the earth... all rapture-like... and we had a period in time where there were literally no molesters, would child molestation cease to exist?

Or, are some people just wired that way at birth, and new molesters would be born?

Disclaimer: This is NOT a question about right or wrong or what their punishment should be.

Child molestors become so for a variety of reasons... so yes, we would see more molestors in the future.

 

[A.Pearce]

If every single person on the face of the earth that has ever molested a child, or even thought about it, were to suddenly disappear from the face of the earth... all rapture-like... and we had a period in time where there were literally no molesters, would child molestation cease to exist?

Or, are some people just wired that way at birth, and new molesters would be born?

Disclaimer: This is NOT a question about right or wrong or what their punishment should be.

No, I don't think they would disappear, but not for the reason stated in the poll. I believe the behavior could easily evolve again over time, as I assume it did originally.

 

[jamesrage]

If every single person on the face of the earth that has ever molested a child, or even thought about it, were to suddenly disappear from the face of the earth... all rapture-like... and we had a period in time where there were literally no molesters, would child molestation cease to exist?

Or, are some people just wired that way at birth, and new molesters would be born?

Disclaimer: This is NOT a question about right or wrong or what their punishment should be.

It would cease to be for awhile,but not permanently.

 

[Jryan]

Where is the No, molestation is a learned behavior? Molestation has been linked in almost every study to abusive parents.

 

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

So you think people molest because they were molested - absolutely? Or do you think it's just a possible factor for some people?

I've never had compulsions to molest others :shrug:

Most molesters have been victims themselves, but most victims do not go on to molest others. Given that, I believe that having been victimized does play a part, but obviously sme other factors are necessary or every victim would be a molester.

Most molesters are psychologically impotent. There are also a high proportion with a history of physical child abuse, a history of abusing animal, a history of being reared by people with serious mental health or substance abuse issues. While there may be some genetic abnormality that can cause people to see children (or animals or inanimate objects) as sexually appealing, I feel too many share similar social background elements to ignore them as playing a part in the development of the aberrant behavior.

 

[celticwar17]

No, there will always be child molesters. The reason from them existing isn't just learned, genetic, or behavioral... its a random chaotic combination of all three. And non child molesters can just snap one day to become one.

 

[Zyphlin]

No. It would not be gone.

It'd be lessened for a long time because ONE of the factors that leads to it definitely is environmental. But I don't believe its the only. And over time the numbers would creep back up.

 

[GreenvilleGrows]

If every single person on the face of the earth that has ever molested a child, or even thought about it, were to suddenly disappear from the face of the earth... all rapture-like... and we had a period in time where there were literally no molesters, would child molestation cease to exist?

Dunno... let's try it.

 

[Disputatious71]

The state of Louisiana tried to pass a law to this effect but the law was deemed unconstitutional...

 

[LuckyDan]

Child molesters are predators. Its a matter of overpowering innocence and subjecting another being to one's will.

I've known only one child molester, and he was an effeminate male who managed to endear himself to a female who had a young son. His purpose was to molest the boy, we learned too late.

I'm sure there are more macho types who prey on young girls, like the "chester" types who may loiter around playgronds in raincoats.

The cause? I don't know, but I suspect many boys who were sexually abused as children decided they were gay as a result, when really it was forced on them by a predator, and girls who decided they prefer other girls, after some weenie wagger caught them unprotected in a park.

 

[Manc Skipper]

Who would run the boy scouts or the pee wee baseball, basketball and other sports?

 

[LuckyDan]

Who would run the boy scouts or the pee wee baseball, basketball and other sports?

Boy Scouts. You're right, I forgot that guy. I've known two molesters. The Boy Scout guy was popular with his troop because he had Playboy magazine centerfolds pinned up all over his apartment. Of course it drew 12 and 13 year old boys around.

I wasn't a scout, but a friend who was took me with him one day to his scoutmaster's apartment to see how cool it was. The guy watched us, stroking his beard and smoking his pipe, as we ogled the pictures on his walls. A year or so later, I heard of his arrest for child molestion.

Then there is the Girl Scouts. I've only attended one of those meetings, but I swear the Den Mothers were seriously butch.

 

[dontworrybehappy]

The OP's poll doesn't have enough answers, or at least it doesn't have the right ones.

Some molesters molest because they were victims. Some molest because they are attracted to kids. Some molest because the girl said she was 18 and she was 15. Under all 3 circumstances, he would be labeled the same thing. But the reasoning behind it is far different.

But I digress, everyone molests for different reasons. Some are accused of molesting and don't molest at all. What would you do with those people? The OP is quite strange IMHO. Who would sit up at night and think up questions like this? Anyway, to answer the "poll" the answer would be that no, molestation would always be here. But not for the reason given.