Humbert the Pedophile Essay -- Essays Papers

Humbert the PedophileLolita, the novel by Vladimir Nabokov, tells the story of Humbert Humbert, who is a perfect framework of a paedophile. Although the character Humbert Humbert describes his feelings toward the twelve year old Lolita as love, in actuality, it is obsessive lust. Nabokov does an excellent job displaying the characteristics of paedophilia through this character. Reading Lolita makes us intended of the need to be more aware that pedophilia is alive and well in our society today. In developing this point, I will examine pedophilia and its clinical characteristics as they relate to Humbert Humbert and our society.While America sits smugly in front of its televisions and computers, somewhere a paedophile fantasizes about fondling and holding a beautiful babe in his arms. According to David Finkelhors research in A Sourcebook on Child Sexual Abuse(43), paedophiles are adults, both male and female, who have a sexual preference toward prepubescent children (generally a ged 13 or younger). It is important to realize that pedophilia does not always include child sexual abuse. The pedophile must act upon his desires before it is considered sexual abuse. Humbert, in fact, does act upon his urges by looking, fantasizing, and actually holding Lolita on his lap. In Aristos Bouiuss essay, Pedophilia Versus Abuse, it is suggested that a real pedophile loves children and doesnt want to hurt them in any way, but rather wants a relationship with the child which can be an enjoyable and loving experience on both sides. Pedophiles often take on a parental role toward the child, and the child, craving love and attention, accepts the touching, holding or even the act of sex. Most likely, the child has never experienced normal par... ... 1970.2) Briggs, Freda. From Victim to Offender. Australia, Allen & Unwin Pty Ltd. 19953) Finkelhor, David. A Sourcebook on Child Sexual Abuse. Newbury Park, Sage Publications Inc. 1986.4) Ferguson, Donna. The Assault on America s Children. Newport Beach, CA., Harbor House Publishers, Inc. 1994.5) Bouius, Aristo J. Pedophilia Versus Abuse. Simplex. 1996. Http//www. Simplex.nl/users/aristos/engels.htm6) Medinger, Alan P DSM-IV and Pedophilia What Did the APA Do? 1995 Http//www.messiah.eduthpages/facstaff/chase/h/articles/regene ra/dsm.htm7) Medinger, Alan P. Pedophilia No Longer a Disorder Psychiatric Association Decides. 1994. Http//www.messiah.eduthpages.facstaff/chase/h/articles/regene ra/dsm.htm8) Pedophilia Symptoms Mental Health Net and CMHC Systems, 1995- 1997. Http//www/cmhc.com/disorders/sx63.htm Humbert the Pedophile Essay -- Essays PapersHumbert the PedophileLolita, the novel by Vladimir Nabokov, tells the story of Humbert Humbert, who is a perfect vitrine of a pedophile. Although the character Humbert Humbert describes his feelings toward the twelve year old Lolita as love, in actuality, it is obsessive lust. Nabokov does an excellent job displaying the character istics of pedophilia through this character. Reading Lolita makes us certain of the need to be more aware that pedophilia is alive and well in our society today. In developing this point, I will examine pedophilia and its clinical characteristics as they relate to Humbert Humbert and our society.While America sits smugly in front of its televisions and computers, somewhere a pedophile fantasizes about fondling and holding a beautiful child in his arms. According to David Finkelhors research in A Sourcebook on Child Sexual Abuse(43), pedophiles are adults, both male and female, who have a sexual preference toward prepubescent children (generally aged 13 or younger). It is important to realize that pedophilia does not always include child sexual abuse. The pedophile must act upon his desires before it is considered sexual abuse. Humbert, in fact, does act upon his urges by looking, fantasizing, and actually holding Lolita on his lap. In Aristos Bouiuss essay, Pedophilia Versus Abuse, it is suggested that a real pedophile loves children and doesnt want to hurt them in any way, but rather wants a relationship with the child which can be an enjoyable and loving experience on both sides. Pedophiles often take on a parental role toward the child, and the child, craving love and attention, accepts the touching, holding or even the act of sex. Most likely, the child has never experienced normal par... ... 1970.2) Briggs, Freda. From Victim to Offender. Australia, Allen & Unwin Pty Ltd. 19953) Finkelhor, David. A Sourcebook on Child Sexual Abuse. Newbury Park, Sage Publications Inc. 1986.4) Ferguson, Donna. The Assault on Americas Children. Newport Beach, CA., Harbor House Publishers, Inc. 1994.5) Bouius, Aristo J. Pedophilia Versus Abuse. Simplex. 1996. Http//www. Simplex.nl/users/aristos/engels.htm6) Medinger, Alan P DSM-IV and Pedophilia What Did the APA Do? 1995 Http//www.messiah.eduthpages/facstaff/chase/h/articles/regene ra/dsm.htm7) Medinger, Alan P. Pedophilia No Longer a Disorder Psychiatric Association Decides. 1994. Http//www.messiah.eduthpages.facstaff/chase/h/articles/regene ra/dsm.htm8) Pedophilia Symptoms Mental Health Net and CMHC Systems, 1995- 1997. Http//www/cmhc.com/disorders/sx63.htm