[DanaC]

I remember seeing a programme about paedophilia that was very interesting. One of the issues it raised is that there are different kinds of paedophile. There are those who are aroused by youngsters but who see it as a a kind of *thinks* 'beautiful' awakening of that youngster. They tend not to be violent or engage in rape. They tend more towards touching and 'loving' the child. Then there are those who view kids as there to be preyed upon; quite literally: there is a book that was circulated underground giving tips on how to groom, and and how to get into the affections of a family with children (for example). They are often violent and see the children as sexually aware teases.

Acting on either impulse is wrong (in my and most people's view) but...they are not the same thing. One is 'accidentally' harmful to a child they most likely love. The other is wilfully harmful to a child they have objectified. To me it is wrong to treat these two very different kinds of people as if they were the same, and equally 'evil'.

As to the OP: I'm really not sure, but I suspect i would lean towards celibacy, and 'satisfy' my compulsion through fantasy and pictures.