Autopedophilia

Autopedophilia (autopedohebephilia) is sexual arousal from imagining oneself as a child (a minor) or from actually appropriating childhood attributes. It is a special case of erotic-targeted identity inversions (ETII) (or autophilias). The most well-known and widespread of these is autogynephilia (arousal from imagining oneself in a woman's body). Autophilias (as well as other paraphilias) are not identified as disorders unless they are not related to significant distress or harmful behavior. They are considered an aspect of sexual orientation among three dimensions of sexual orientation target: gender, age, and locus (external or internal). Autophilias do not exclude the attraction to an external object, but rather accompany it.

As with other ETIIs, autopedophilic people tend to be sexually aroused by imagining themselves as the kinds of objects (with respect to gender and age) to whom they are sexually attracted. For example, a heterosexual pedophilic man's autopedophilic fantasies are unlikely to be about being a boy having sex with girls, but likely about being a girl having sex with other children or adults.

Autopedophilia is expressed not only through sexual fantasies but also through childish behavior and sexual roleplay as a child. Furthermore, similar to autogynephilia, autopedophilia can manifest itself in the desire to fulfill a corresponding social role, wear children's clothing and symbols (such as superheroes or cartoon characters), and sometimes to undergo plastic surgery or hormonal interventions to achieve a more childlike appearance.

The prevalence is difficult to estimate due to the non-representative nature of the MAP samples, but it is likely very common among the MAP population. Some studies show results for about half the population are autopedophilic.

See also

• Transage
• Paraphilic infantilism
• Pedophilia
• Paraphilia
• Cub