The definition of acceptable forms of sexual deviance is a major theme in society and the academic world. Contemporary debates in political science regularly focus on whether politics should regulate particular forms of sexual behaviour. Some theories in political theory – of equality, liberty, power or social justice, for instance – can be used to judge whether certain views on sexual deviance can be justified.
Literature in political theory discusses many forms of sexual deviance, with one exception: Paedophilia. This calls for reflection: What is paedophilia’s place in society and political science? What has political theory to say about it? And why has paedophilia thus far been rarely researched in this field?
This paper investigates, from the perspective of political theory, whether existing attitudes towards paedophilia can be justified. In this context, empirical material is used to give an impression of what those attitudes are.
