# What is it with men and sexual abuse of children? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 18, 2012, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-men-and-sexual-abuse-of-children/628595 "2012-07-18T04:01:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-men-and-sexual-abuse-of-children/628595/121 "2012-07-20T21:41:27Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > It wasn’t started as a pit thread. It was started in Great Debates. Per Marley’s post: Well that’s me told. ---
**Author:** ![Ele\_the\_Stoic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4bbf92/32.png) [@Ele\_the\_Stoic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ele_the_Stoic)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-men-and-sexual-abuse-of-children/628595/122 "2012-07-20T23:56:16Z")
> [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > They know that if they were to say the same sort of nasty remarks they get away with on the Internet to someone’s face that they would get beaten to a pulp and if they were to say them in print that they would be sued for every cent they own. Why do people always say this? When was the last time you beat someone up for insulting you? How can you possibly justify it? What about all those comedians who go out onto the streets, and do something outrageous to make people feel uncomfortable? This argument boils down to a simple ad hominem. You’re weak, and Joe could beat you up, so your argument is wrong. Or intimidation - Joe could beat you up, so even if you’re right, and his argument is full of crap, he could still beat you up, so keep it to yourself. And in print, you have to prove damages. Being a snide asshole doesn’t mean I’m damaging her reputation or jeopardizing her job. The world is not high school. I can talk shit about anyone I want, and if someone attacks me for it, they are in the wrong, no matter what I’ve said. Words do not constitute clear and immediate danger. > [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > This was a teaching moment for us. We could have told the OP that the amount of child sexual abuse is not increasing. It’s probably decreasing. We could have taught her to quit watching those cable news channels all the time and to learn to look up statistics on crimes rather than relying on news anchors and commentators who are constantly shouting about the terrible state of the world. Instead, what you’ve probably done is drive her from the SDMB. She will now go around telling other people that the cable channels are right, that there are child abusers all around, and the people on the SDMB are probably all abusers themselves. She’ll always be in a state of ignorance now because you people felt it necessary to get in your daily dose of kicking other people around. If she is foolish enough to assume that everything we say here in this thread is unabashed truth, and is foolish enough to believe every single news story she ever reads and hears not matter how contrary it may be to her own experiences and expectations, then she would not accept an honest explanation of the situation. How many times was the OP abused as a child by a man? What if it’s zero times? How many men does she meet a day, who don’t have a gagged child under their arm, on the way to the bathroom? How many men does she see on TV, who are busy doing things like, say, playing basketball or climbing a mountain instead of abusing children? How many brothers did she have growing up, who never had kids tied up under their beds? She even mentions women, so how many times has she abused children? Her argument is so extreme as to nearly be a comical caricature, and accepts things as fact without any attempt at context or explanation. Her question is self-answering, if she were to step back and think about it instead of making a knee-jerk thread here decrying adults as monsters. > [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > The people who deserve your hatred are the cable news channels that deliberately distort the amount of crime in the U.S. to keep their viewers in a constant state of terror so that they will keep watching. Why aren’t you complaining about the lying cable news channels (and perhaps the lying newspapers) instead of her? You do it apparently because you would rather direct your hatred to a single deluded person rather than to a greedy corporation. Use your hatred in a constructive fashion rather than just wasting it on acts of nastiness toward a single individual who can’t do anything about the bad media environment. Hey, at least we’re trying to keep the thread vaguely on topic. This isn’t a thread about cable news, it’s a thread asking why adults are evil. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2012, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-men-and-sexual-abuse-of-children/628595/123 "2012-07-21T00:31:19Z")
Men commit higher rates of child sexual abuse, rape, murder, and violent crimes compared to women. Asking “what’s up with that?” is a valid and important question. The resulting discussion is a hodge podge of speculation about evolutionary history and, well, it’s not that interesting is it? Not until we find a way to fix the problem, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2012, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-men-and-sexual-abuse-of-children/628595/124 "2012-07-21T07:28:45Z")
Yeah, according to [this study](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0145213496001809), about 90% of child sexual abuse is committed by men. Finding a way to curtail child sexual abuse is important, awareness of demographics does not help very much. Likelihood that a given child abuser is a man is different from the likelihood that a given man is a child abuser. ---
**Author:** ![Ele\_the\_Stoic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4bbf92/32.png) [@Ele\_the\_Stoic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ele_the_Stoic)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2012, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-men-and-sexual-abuse-of-children/628595/125 "2012-07-21T08:27:02Z")
> [@marshmallow](#): > > Men commit higher rates of child sexual abuse, rape, murder, and violent crimes compared to women. Asking “what’s up with that?” is a valid and important question. The resulting discussion is a hodge podge of speculation about evolutionary history and, well, it’s not that interesting is it? Not until we find a way to fix the problem, anyway. That _is_ a valid and important question; but that’s not the question of the OP. The question of the OP is “What the hell is wrong with men?”, which is not so valid and important. I’m all for taking a serious look at the issue and giving constructive feedback, in a thread designed for that. “Do we have to hire _female_ security guards to protect kids?” is not a thread designed for that. ---
**Author:** ![6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/e19adc/32.png) [@6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2012, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-men-and-sexual-abuse-of-children/628595/126 "2012-07-21T10:50:08Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > Its our own fault really. Not enough cooking or ironing threads to keep the dears occupied. Well, I can’t speak for others, but I’ve been cooking meth and ironing out horny young men and STILL have time… ---
**Author:** ![BlinkingDuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eada6e/32.png) [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2012, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-men-and-sexual-abuse-of-children/628595/127 "2012-07-21T15:03:10Z")
> [@Ele\_the\_Stoic](#): > > The world is not high school. I can talk shit about anyone I want, and if someone attacks me for it, they are in the wrong, no matter what I’ve said. Words do not constitute clear and immediate danger. Are you sure about this? I seem to remember someone locally getting the crap beat out of them and the beater was not held liable in court because the beatee was insulting them. I find it hard to believe you can say ANYTHING to me and I can’t start swinging fists and be legally justified. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2012, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-men-and-sexual-abuse-of-children/628595/128 "2012-07-21T15:09:40Z")
> [@gamerunknown](#): > > Yeah, according to [this study](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0145213496001809), about 90% of child sexual abuse is committed by men. I saw no such thing on the page you linked. ---
**Author:** ![Ele\_the\_Stoic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4bbf92/32.png) [@Ele\_the\_Stoic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ele_the_Stoic)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2012, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-men-and-sexual-abuse-of-children/628595/129 "2012-07-21T21:39:11Z")
> [@BlinkingDuck](#): > > Are you sure about this? I seem to remember someone locally getting the crap beat out of them and the beater was not held liable in court because the beatee was insulting them. > > I find it hard to believe you can say ANYTHING to me and I can’t start swinging fists and be legally justified. Some jurisdictions count threats of death to be tantamount to imminent danger, but often on their own they aren’t sufficient. If the beatee threatened to chop your head off and pulled out a machete, you could defend yourself. But if he just said he’s gonna cut your head off and stood there, drooling with a dazed look on his face, that isn’t sufficient. And if he starts walking away, you’d have to prove he’s in the process of getting a weapon, he gets the benefit of the doubt. It’s almost circumstantial in a way. I can make distasteful, humorless jokes about killing someone, or wanting someone dead, but when there’s no intent (as demonstrated by moving to fulfill my threat), it’s just that, with certain exceptions for political office holders. The laws on battery are pretty clear, the only way it’s not a crime is in self-defense. Or you could just [look at someone crossways](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9IyiH1D6XM) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Carmady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@Carmady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carmady)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-men-and-sexual-abuse-of-children/628595/130 "2012-07-22T00:06:57Z")
> [@marshmallow](#): > > Men commit higher rates of child sexual abuse, rape, murder, and violent crimes compared to women. Compared to _women_? I wasn’t taking it seriously before, but wow. I was like “yeah, some men rape kids, but women do it way more.” So men are even worse, huh. I mean, what, 99% of women rape kids? So it must be 100% of men. Things are getting to the point where male adults cannot be left alone with children, (male or female), anywhere at anytime. What the hell is it with men wanting to sexually abuse kids anyway??? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-men-and-sexual-abuse-of-children/628595/131 "2012-07-22T01:44:09Z")
> [@Ele\_the\_Stoic](#): > > The laws on battery are pretty clear, the only way it’s not a crime is in self-defense. Or you’re a parent using corporal punishment on a child. Or you are engaged in an athletic competition. Or lots of other exceptions. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-men-and-sexual-abuse-of-children/628595/132 "2012-07-22T02:31:42Z")
Clearly all men are closet killers and rapists who would as soon kill you and rape your corpse as look at you. For that matter, they’re also far more likely to be victims of murder and violent crimes. So henceforth, all men will be locked in closets and not be allowed to interact with the world. Oh, and women? High rates of insanity and victimhood. Better lock them up too. ---
**Author:** ![humblebumble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@humblebumble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/humblebumble)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-men-and-sexual-abuse-of-children/628595/133 "2012-07-22T03:34:30Z")
Chris Hansen would be so proud. _Take a seat, right over there._ ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-men-and-sexual-abuse-of-children/628595/134 "2012-07-22T08:12:53Z")
> [@gamerunknown](#): > > Yeah, according to [this study](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0145213496001809), > [@](#): > > given the large (. . .) costs, (. . .) of child abuse Damn. I thought it was free. Except for the airfare to Singapore. ---
**Author:** ![Ele\_the\_Stoic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4bbf92/32.png) [@Ele\_the\_Stoic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ele_the_Stoic)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2012, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-men-and-sexual-abuse-of-children/628595/135 "2012-07-22T08:18:33Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Or you’re a parent using corporal punishment on a child. Or you are engaged in an athletic competition. Or lots of other exceptions. Those are specifically excepted in the law, in amendments, or in other laws dealing more directly with those subjects. Parental corporal punishment is not a part of the definition of battery, therefore it is not battery. It fits the general description of the word in common parlance, sure, but not the finite legal definition the government uses. You could make a case for it being child abuse, but that’s an even muddier issue. ---
**Author:** ![LadyMadonna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/eb8c5e/32.png) [@LadyMadonna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LadyMadonna)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2012, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-men-and-sexual-abuse-of-children/628595/136 "2012-08-19T18:54:31Z")
Yes, I started this thread in Great Debates, but the site admin moved it to the pit. And I stopped participating in this thread for awhile because of too many pompous posters with anger issues. Too toxic. I just wanted a lively, thought-provoking debate. C’mon people. Most of you are downplaying the problem. You KNOW that for every reported case of child sexual abuse, there are hundreds that are not reported. For every male priest, coach or activities leader that is caught abusing, there are dozens more that roam the land free. And probably 1000 more that fantasize about it without acting on it. So I still haven’t received an answer to my original question. Why children?? What is going on in the minds of these men that is so powerful, they are willing to risk their marriages, jobs, families and freedom, just to touch a child?? Why do they not care about what such abuse does to a child’s psyche?? Why can’t these perpetrators simply KEEP IT IN THEIR PANTS??? Can’t they just go find a knot in a tree somewhere and play out their fantasy there?? ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2012, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-men-and-sexual-abuse-of-children/628595/137 "2012-08-19T19:12:02Z")
So what are all my male brethren’s tallies? How many children were you able to rape in **LadyMadonna’s** absence? I mean, without her around we were free to go wild and now that she’s back I suppose we have to reign it in again. So, what are your tallies? ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-men-and-sexual-abuse-of-children/628595/138 "2012-08-19T19:15:05Z")
> [@LadyMadonna](#): > > What the hell is it with men wanting to sexually abuse kids anyway??? > [@LadyMadonna](#): > > Too toxic. BwaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2012, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-men-and-sexual-abuse-of-children/628595/139 "2012-08-19T19:18:07Z")
> [@LadyMadonna](#): > > So I still haven’t received an answer to my original question. Why children?? What is going on in the minds of these men that is so powerful, they are willing to risk their marriages, jobs, families and freedom, just to touch a child?? Why do they not care about what such abuse does to a child’s psyche?? Why can’t these perpetrators simply KEEP IT IN THEIR PANTS??? Can’t they just go find a knot in a tree somewhere and play out their fantasy there?? Geez, we gotta have a reason for everything? ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2012, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-men-and-sexual-abuse-of-children/628595/140 "2012-08-19T19:18:58Z")
The OP should talk. Isn’t she the one who keeps shoving that baby at her breast? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-men-and-sexual-abuse-of-children/628595.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-men-and-sexual-abuse-of-children/628595.md?page=8)