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I think his past comments make his position clear: "I am skeptical of the claim that voluntarily pedophilia harms children. The arguments that it causes harm s

I think his past comments make his position clear: "I am skeptical of the claim that voluntarily pedophilia harms children. The arguments that it causes harm seem to be based on cases which aren't voluntary, which are then stretched by parents who are horrified by the idea that their little baby is maturing." https://stallman.org/archives/2006-mar-jun.html#05%20June%202006%20(Dutch%20paedophiles%20form%20political%20party) https://stallman.org/archives/2006-mar-jun.html#05%20June%20...

TheAdamAndChe 7y ago
Is there any data that refutes his claim, or is resistance to his statement based solely on opinion and morals?
- gwd 7y ago
  I'm pretty sure that anyone who's actually dealt with children who have engaged in sexual experiences with adults will say it's harmful. I'm not a psychologist, but I think the burden of proof is on people who think it may be safe to show that it is safe, not the other way around. But to understand a bit why: I think this is a bit like asking, "Is it really always harmful for professors to sleep with their (adult) students, or managers to sleep with their employees?" The answer to that is, sure, you can imagine that this or that particular relationship might never be any hint of coercion or favoritism, and be considered afterwards a positive experience for all parties involved (including the professors other students / the rest of the manager's company). But we still universally say these relationships are wrong, because there's no way to tell in advance whether that will be the case; the risk is just too high. I think it's the same for paedophilia. Children know so little, are so dependent on the adults around them for so many things -- including basic things like "what's normal" -- that it is simply not possible to ensure that there is no element of coercion.

TheAdamAndChe 7y ago

Is there any data that refutes his claim, or is resistance to his statement based solely on opinion and morals?

gwd 7y ago
I'm pretty sure that anyone who's actually dealt with children who have engaged in sexual experiences with adults will say it's harmful. I'm not a psychologist, but I think the burden of proof is on people who think it may be safe to show that it is safe, not the other way around. But to understand a bit why: I think this is a bit like asking, "Is it really always harmful for professors to sleep with their (adult) students, or managers to sleep with their employees?" The answer to that is, sure, you can imagine that this or that particular relationship might never be any hint of coercion or favoritism, and be considered afterwards a positive experience for all parties involved (including the professors other students / the rest of the manager's company). But we still universally say these relationships are wrong, because there's no way to tell in advance whether that will be the case; the risk is just too high. I think it's the same for paedophilia. Children know so little, are so dependent on the adults around them for so many things -- including basic things like "what's normal" -- that it is simply not possible to ensure that there is no element of coercion.