Factors Effecting Sexual Interest in Children Among Men in the General Population

Overview

In a study of 435 men recruited online, researchers explore what factors most likely indicate a predilection for minor attraction.

Summary

The majority of studies, particularly those conducted in the United States, looking at sexual interest in children are conducted with individuals who have been convicted of a sex crime against minors.  There are very few studies that look at sexual interest in children in the general, non-criminal, population.  The few studies that exist have found that somewhere between 3.5 and 4.2% of men self-report either a sexual interest in children or sexual fantasies about prepubescent children.