Pederasty

is studied

A concerned mother wrote me a letter asking why a grown person would choose a child as a sex-object, and what kind of people do that? More specifically, she asked about pederasty.

The term pederast comes from two Greek words-paido (boy) and erastes (from the verb meaning to love). Thus the term refers to a lover of boys, or a man who engages in sexual acts with boys. It is one kind of pedophilia, or love of children in an abnormal manner.

One study of pederasts was carried out by Parker Rossman, former dean of the Ecumenical Continuing Education Center in New Haven, Conn. His study included in-depth interviews over a period of years with many men who were professed pederasts, and some of his findings were published in an article in "Society."

Rossman found that a large percentage of pederasts are not exclusively attracted to males and thus not homosexual in the common context of that term. He classified the lovers of young boys into five types.

The first be called the "temporary or substitute" pederast who seeks out contact with a boy only when women are not available. Such a person usually does so only infrequently and is quite cautious about it. He does not really consider himself to be a pederast.

In this category, Rossman includes those individuals who engage in the practice as a search for a new sexual experience, or "for kicks."

The second group is the "criminal or exploitative" pederast. This group includes the pimps of young boys and persons who run pederast hangouts to exploit the interests of others in sexual activity with boys.

A third type is the "promiscuous" pederast. Most men in this group

Dr.

Walt

Menninger

are exclusively interested in this kind of sexual relationship. Many have been arrested; some are, frankly, mentally ill.

Yet Rossman found a wide range of occupations represented in this group, including hotel and store clerks, bus drivers, bakers, milk routemen and policemen.

The fourth group Rossman labeled the "careful pederasts."

Although they generally do not limit their sexual interests to yoụng. boys, they are very much aware of an inclination to pederasty. They generally have a good deal of money and avoid contact with youngsters except in carefully protected situations.

Rossman found, in one small Midwestern town, a group of men of this type who had paid for the college education of a series of boys over a 20-year period, in return for sexual favors from the boys.

Also in this type are some men who would never touch a boy in the United States, but who will travel to other countries for such a sexual liaison.

The final type in Rossman's study are the "responsible pederasts.' These men, often of good education and position, are aware of their attraction to young boys and bend over backward to avoid any kind of sexual contact or involvement with children.

Nevertheless, many have “slipped" once or twice and live in mortal fear that their indiscretion will be discovered.

Why do the youngsters get involved? Rossman found four main reasons. Some boys are just hungry for affection. Some want the money and gifts. Some want adventure, new experiences and kicks. And some simply enjoy the sexual activity, being highly aroused by the experience.