Definition[]
As a medical diagnosis, pedophilia (or paedophilia) is typically defined as a psychiatric disorder in adults or late adolescents (persons age 16 and older) characterized by a primary or exclusive sexual interest in prepubescent children (generally age 13 years or younger, though onset of puberty may vary).
Overview[]
The word pedophilia comes from the Greek: παῖς (paîs), meaning "child," and φιλία (philía), "friendly love" or "friendship."
In popular usage, pedophilia means any sexual interest in children or the act of child sexual abuse, often termed "pedophilic behavior." This common use application also extends to the sexual interest and abuse of pubescent or post-pubescent minors.