A discourse analysis of the public debate on paedophilia in the Netherlands (2010-2012)

What fascinates me is that we live in a society that places a lot of emphasis on science, often relegating truth to a scientific discipline, be it that of medicine, psychology, biology, or physics (Foucault 1973: xv). With this emphasis it is hard to imagine there is little room for any scientific stance or argument that could be considered favourable to paedophiles. [...]

The strong emotions surrounding paedophilia seem to negatively affect paedophiles, parents, children and even society as a whole. It creates situations wherein it is becoming increasingly harder for men to work with children such as at day care centres or swimming pools. It creates fears in parents who try to protect their children against a danger that seems always present. It limits children in ways that having a normal conversation with an unknown adult is much more troubled, let alone sleeping over at a friend's house because of possible evil intentions of the friend's parents.

source: Master's thesis 'Perverting Paedophilia - A discourse analysis of the public debate on paedophilia in the Netherlands (2010-2012)' by Sebastiaan Matulewicz; First Supervisor: Drs. Margriet van Heesch, Second Supervisor: Dr. Gert Hekma (University of Amsterdam); 14 August 2012