Michael Bailey

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J. Michael Bailey is an American psychologist and professor of psychology at Northwestern University, widely known for his research on human sexuality. He joined Northwestern University in 1989. Much of his career has been devoted to scientifically difficult and socially controversial questions about the origins and expression of sexual orientation, sex differences in patterns of sexual arousal, and the biological and psychological bases of sexuality.[1][2] His work has often faced ideological biases that have hindered scientific progress in sex research, as he detailed in his 2023 chapter in "Ideological and Political Bias in Psychology"

In relation to MAPs

Bailey's views on pedophilia are nuanced and have evolved over time. In 2011, he reviewed "Michael Jackson's Dangerous Liaisons," noting that while the idea of harmless or beneficial pedophilic relationships is disturbing, there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting his visceral reactions. He acknowledged the author's arguments against his intuitions and found them compelling.[3]

In his 2016 study, Bailey conducted an Internet survey of 1,102 men sexually attracted to children, examining their history of offenses related to child pornography and sexual contact. He found that most had no offenses, and that permissive attitudes or frequent fantasies weren't related to offenses.[4]

Bailey has also contributed to the discussion on the nature of sexual orientation, considering pedophilia a sexual orientation, in his 2009 work [5]. Furthermore, in a 2009 blog post, Bailey compared hebephilia and pedophilia to normal sexual orientations, suggesting that individuals with these attractions can experience feelings of love and attachment towards children, similar to how heterosexuals bond with adults. [6]

He has supported the destigmatization of pedophilia, as seen in his endorsement of Allyn Walker, a scholar who advocated for this cause and was supported by Bailey and other professionals in the field. His work and views reflect a scientific approach to understanding and discussing pedophilia, emphasizing the importance of evidence over ideological bias.

References