Comments on Re: The Media and Mark Foley

Let us also bring into the discussion the word "ephebophilia," which is perhaps the more precise term for Foley's condition. "Pederasty" is broad term that is manifested, according to Wikipedia, as "spiritual or materialistic, lawful or criminal, loving or commercial, compassionate or abusive." Pederasty, according to some researchers, falls under the umbrella of "age-structured homosexuality," while ephebophilia is sexual preference separate from homosexuality.

To me, the issues of pedophilia/pederasty and/or homosexuality in this case are completely secondary to the issue of whether or not he was abusing his position by using perceived or actual authority to obtain sexual favors, and the subsequent cover-up. Those two things are clearly violations of congressional ethics (which seems to be more and more an oxymoron).

I was shocked to learn in Eli's article this week that Tom Foley was involved in a sex scandal...

Me too! It's been fixed online.

So what explains straight men who pursue underage girls? I guess I'm a little skeptical. In our society, it's not unusual for adult men to lust after young, nubile teens. The closet doesn't explain why some straight men pursue underage girls.

There is nothing magical about turning 18. If we are honest, most of us will admit that there are some pretty hot 16 & 17 year olds (either gender) running around. Attraction to post-adolescent near-adults is much easier to understand than attraction to pre-pubescent children. It isn't the same thing at all. And yet the media largely seems to lump it all into one lable of pedophilia, which is a gross oversimplification.

Foley's attraction to 16 year olds doesn't bother me so much as his apparent lack of self control, and probable abuse of his position. I might find a 16 year old attractive, but as a responsible middle-aged man, I know better than to try to pursue them. I know that it is an inherently unhealthy relationship for the youth. I know that the only way I could get a 16 year old in bed would be through some sort of friendly coercion, which most rational people know to be wrong. I know that it is wrong to damage a youth's psyche in the pursuit of short term sexual satisfaction. It seems apparent that neither Mark Foley nor Jim West got that lesson.

And it is no longer Foley's emails & IMs that may cause the downfall of the Republicans. It is the cover up. It's always the cover up, not the act, that gets people in trouble.

SDA,

I agree, we need to keep a safe distance from those under 18.

A few years ago, I had a little crush on a guy that worked at the grocery store. I saw him all the time for nearly a year, and we frequently made small talk. I just assumed he was about my age (25ish), and I'd almost worked up the courage to ask him out.

Then one day, I was heading back to my office from my lunch break downtown when I saw him out on a field trip with his high school class!!!!!

As you can imagine, my heart hit the floor. I was so embarrassed, and I'd say that's a socially appropriate reaction. I mean, really, you should have seen this kid. I now know what men mean when they say "Officer, I had no idea..."

So I guess that men who truly are into young adults don't have that reaction, obviously.