pedophilia: a paraphilia of the stigmatic/eligibilic type in which sexuoerotic arousal and the facilitation or attainment of orgasm in a postpubertal adolescent or adult male or female are responsive to and [dependent upon]{contingent on} having a juvenile partner of prepubertal or peripubertal, developmental status [from Greek,
paidos,
child + -philia]. Pedophile relationships may be heterosexual or homosexual or, more rarely, bisexual. They may take place in imagery or actuality, or both. The technical term for the reciprocal paraphilic condition in which an older person impersonates a juvenile is
paraphilic juvenilism. The age and developmental status of the partner distinguishes pedophilia from
nepiophilia and
ephebophilia. (
adjective,
pedophilic): the condition in which an adult is responsive to or dependent on the imagery or actuality of erotic/sexual activity with a peripubertal or early pubertal boy or girl, in order to obtain erotic arousal and facilitate or achieve orgasm. A pedophiliac may be a male or a female. Pedophilic activity may be replayed in fantasy during masturbation or copulation with an older partner.
See also gerontophilia.
Dictionary of Sexology Project: Main Index