Amarsi: Modern Day Hommes Armés
Society fears childlovers (pedophiles). It fails to distinguish them from child molesters. Instead, it insists upon believing that these two groups do not differ very much, even though the childlover’s (pedophile’s) attraction (or preference) does not imply any sort of action.
The result of this is that many childlovers (pedophiles) are initially confused about their feelings. They can see quite clearly that they are regarded as the bêtes noires of society, irrespective of how good their intentions are or how well they deal with feelings that they have not chosen, but received. Therefore, even if they have never violated the law, they may feel guilty, have low self-esteem and even hate themselves.
Currently, society wants childlovers (pedophiles) to repress their feelings. At the same time it makes even those amarsi (pedophiles) who have never broken the law feel like criminals. They are unable to seek counseling to cope with the guilt feelings society has imposed upon them and they are unable to make a public affirmation of their orientation. If they do, they risk ridicule, rejection, ostracism and the loss of friends, family, lodging and livelihood. They are condemned for crimes they have never committed; they are punished for their thoughts and feelings.
In a society with a tolerant outlook to age-disparate relationships, amarsi (pedophiles) would have the opportunity to get in touch with their feelings early and therefore be capable of learning to express their sexuality in a positive, non-coercive manner. Acceptance by society would allow amarsi (pedophiles) to realise their full potential as people and therefore make a more substantive contribution to society.
Society believes that childlovers (pedophiles) are evil in great part because much of the data about amarsi (pedophiles) has been collected in forensic or clinical settings. It is predictable that these people are then perceived to be very troubled human beings. Childlovers (pedophiles) who do not have mental problems and who have not engaged in illegal activities are generally loth to participate in research because of the fear of discovery. In the absence of relevant data, society has chosen to apply the characteristics of child molesters to childlovers (pedophiles) as well.
Young people who find themselves interested and desirous of intimate relationships are also viewed negatively by society. Even though modern society itself treats youth as sex objects and floods youth-orientated media with sexual messages of a tawdry and banal nature, youth that seek out sexual encounters — especially with adults — are routinely punished or made to feel dirty, guilty or corrupt. Young people who are interested in meaningful intimate relationships have few edifying role models and even fewer places to turn for support, pushing many towards high-risk activities rather than providing them with safe environments to discover their sexuality.
It is our hope that site will help to begin a dialogue about what it really means to be an amarso (pedophile or teleiophile) and demonstrate that, within a proper ethical framework, mutually fulfilling intimate relationships between consenting adults and young people are possible.