Navigating the Stigma of Pedophilia: The Experiences of Nine Minor-Attracted Men in Canada by Carin Marie Freimond B.A. (Sociology), Simon Fraser University, 2009 Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Carin Marie Freimond 2013 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Fall 2013 Approval Name: Carin Marie Freimond Degree: Master of Arts of Sociology Title of Thesis: Navigating the Stigma of Pedophilia: The Experiences of Nine Minor-Attracted Men in Canada Examining Committee: Chair: Kathleen Millar Assistant Professor Robert Menzies Senior Supervisor Professor Ann Travers Supervisor Associate Professor Jacqueline Faubert External Examiner Adjunct Professor Criminology Simon Fraser University Date Defended/Approved: October 29, 2013 ii Partial Copyright Licence iii Ethics Statement iv Abstract This thesis presents findings and analysis arising from semi-structured qualitative interviews with nine minor-attracted men (i.e. men who are primarily attracted to children and/or adolescents) in Canada. The central research question is “how do minor-attracted people understand and manage their stigmatized identities?” I situated the participants' experiences within a broader social context by reviewing relevant academic literature, laws, and dominant cultural attitudes. Utilizing a symbolic-interactionist approach, and drawing on Goffman's concept of “stigma,” this thesis illustrates the unique challenges facing minor-attracted people. The study reveals that minor-attracted people become aware of their sexuality at an early age, experience stress caused by real or perceived societal rejection, and encounter both positive and negative reactions upon disclosing their identities. The conclusion underscores the need for a new approach to dealing with minor-attraction in contemporary Western society. I offer eight recommendations for instituting a strategy which incorporates empathy, education, and anti-discrimination measures. Keywords: pedophilia; minor-attracted adults; sexual identity; moral panic; queer studies; stigma v Acknowledgements I am deeply grateful to the nine men who volunteered to participate in this research. Their contributions demonstrate both courage and generosity. I owe a huge thank you to Dr. Robert Menzies for all of his assistance and guidance. From helping me navigate the ethics application process to spending countless hours reviewing multiple drafts of this thesis, his unwavering commitment to helping me succeed will never be forgotten. It was an honour and a pleasure to be his student. Dr. Ann Travers played an instrumental role in this project as well. I am thankful for the feedback and suggestions she provided on draft versions of this thesis, as well as the encouragement she gave me over the course of my time in the master’s degree program. I am much obliged to Dr. Jacqueline Faubert for having taken on the role of external examiner. Her critique of my thesis gave me new insights into this field of study. I am grateful for the list of suggestions, food for thought, and recommended reading that she offered in her written review of my work. Finally, I would like to thank all of the university staff members who helped me complete this project. I especially want to thank the graduate secretary, Ms. Karen McLean, for all of her assistance. vi Table of Contents Approval .......................................................................................................................... ii Partial Copyright Licence ............................................................................................... iii Ethics Statement ............................................................................................................ iv Abstract ........................................................................................................................... v Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................ vi Table of Contents .......................................................................................................... vii List of Tables .................................................................................................................. ix Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 Thesis Overview ............................................................................................................ 11 Chapter 1. Toward a Conceptual Framework for Studying Minor-Attraction ......... 13 Overview ....................................................................................................................... 13 Barriers to Achieving Social Acceptance ....................................................................... 14 A New Perspective on Minor-Attraction ......................................................................... 16 Conventional Research on Pedophilia ........................................................................... 17 “Everyday” Minor-Attracted People and the Importance of a Qualitative Approach ........ 19 Disclosure ..................................................................................................................... 21 The Sociological Heritage of this Thesis ........................................................................ 23 Summary ....................................................................................................................... 24 Chapter 2. Context, Methods, and Participants ....................................................... 25 Research Questions ...................................................................................................... 25 Instrument of Data Collection ........................................................................................ 26 Recruitment ................................................................................................................... 28 Ethics Approval Process ............................................................................................... 31 The Participants ............................................................................................................ 33 The Research Experience ............................................................................................. 34 Data Analysis ................................................................................................................ 35 Chapter 3. Establishing a Minor-Attracted Identity .................................................. 37 Overview ....................................................................................................................... 37 The Nature of the Attraction .......................................................................................... 38 Self-Realization ............................................................................................................. 40 Boy-lovers, Girl-lovers, and Other Terms ...................................................................... 42 Identifying as Minor-Attracted ........................................................................................ 44 Summary ....................................................................................................................... 45 vii Chapter 4. Disclosing a Minor-Attracted Identity ..................................................... 46 Overview ....................................................................................................................... 46 Why Minor-Attracted People Disclose their Identities .................................................... 47 Recipients of Disclosure ................................................................................................ 53 Reactions to Revealing a Minor-Attracted Identity ......................................................... 57 Consequences of Disclosure ......................................................................................... 60 Summary ....................................................................................................................... 65 Chapter 5. Coping with Stigma and Finding a Place in Society .............................. 66 Overview ....................................................................................................................... 66 Coping with Stigma ....................................................................................................... 66 The Role of Minor-Attracted People in Contemporary Western Societies ...................... 71 Summary ....................................................................................................................... 76 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 77 Overview ....................................................................................................................... 77 Spoiled Identity and the Resilience of Minor-Attracted People ....................................... 77 Recommendations for Improving the Situation Facing Minor-Attracted People.............. 79 1. Empathize with Minor-Attracted People ............................................................ 79 2. Distribute a Help Guide for Minor-Attracted People .......................................... 80 3. Create Access to