New York Times op-ed describing pedophilia as a 'disorder not a crime' resurfaces amid woke media backlash
An opinion piece in The New York Times that describes pedophilia as a 'disorder not a crime' has sparked fury online after resurfacing on social media.
Margo Kaplan wrote a 2014 Op-Ed for the left-leaning news outlet titled 'Pedophilia: A Disorder, Not a Crime'.
In it Kaplan, a professor of law at Rutgers Law School, sets out to correct what she sees as misconceptions about pedophilia.
She writes that pedophiles aren't all child molesters and that an attraction to children in itself is not a crime, but a mental illness.
Kaplan says that laws are failing pedophiles, and argued that they shouldn't lose a job or opportunities in their careers if they seek treatment.
'By some estimates, 1 percent of the male population continues, long after puberty, to find themselves attracted to prepubescent children.
'These people are living with pedophilia, a sexual attraction to prepubescents that often constitutes a mental illness.
'Unfortunately, our laws are failing them and, consequently, ignoring opportunities to prevent child abuse', she writes.
11 years on from being originally published, screenshots of the headline have been recirculated on social media in recent days, drawing the ire of some X users.
In it Kaplan, a professor of law at Rutgers Law School, sets out to correct what she sees as misconceptions about pedophilia
She writes that pedophiles aren't all child molesters and that an attraction to children in itself is not a crime, but a mental illness
Athlete turned political activist Riley Gaines, a prominent voice in keeping trans women out of women's sports, posted: 'Care to explain' and tagged the paper.
Right-wing science writer Dr. Simon Goddek also shared a screengrab of the headline, and added: 'EXCUSE ME????'
An X user added: 'WTF! Whoever wrote this, approved this and published this all needs to be in jail. It should be a crime just for saying that.'
Another posted: 'This is sickening and even though it's an opinion aticle, the fact they ran it shows they're ok with normalizing pedophilia.
'Remember when they wouldn't allow opinions about vaccine efficiency, or questions about the 2020 elections. They drew a line on opinions then.'
Other excerpts from the piece points to research that suggest pedophilia could stem from neurological problems.
Kaplan pointed to findings that she said strongly suggests a neurological cause behind it.
She also says that current laws are failing pedophiles, and that protections should be in place to help those 'seeking treatment'.
11 years on from being originally published, screenshots of the headline have been recirculated on social media in recent days, sparking fury
The outlet admitted that it had caused 'a stir' after being published, and had to reject many of the 1,200 comments due to 'vicious attacks' on Kaplan
It closes: 'A pedophile should be held responsible for his conduct - but not for the underlying attraction.
'Acknowledging that pedophiles have a mental disorder, and removing the obstacles to their coming forward and seeking help, is not only the right to do, but it would also advance efforts to protect children from harm.'
Following its publication, The Times followed up the opinion piece with a 'story behind the story' article.
The outlet admitted that it had caused 'a stir' after being published, and had to reject many of the 1,200 comments due to 'vicious attacks' on Kaplan.
Speaking with the outlet after the publication, Kaplan admitted: 'I anticipated strong responses, so that was no surprise.'
The Times added that reader reaction was overwhelmingly negative, but Kaplan said she had heard from people who were supportive of her views.
DailyMail.com has approached Kaplan for further comment on the resurgence in her story, and the fresh criticism.
The article resurfacing comes amid a general backlash over liberal news outlets, with the likes of MSNBC wrestling with plummeting ratings.
Earlier this week president of the network Rashida Jones left the company after four years at the helm following the large dip in viewers.
