Reply #20: As a victim of childhood sexual abuse... [View All]

[CoffeeCat]

I'm the last person who would make excuses for pedophiles or rationalize away sexualized behavior toward children.
My offenders were never convicted--or even inconvenienced--by what they did to me. So, I get pretty angry when
people minimize stuff like this.

However, in Michael Jackson's case--it really is entirely possible that the man's background, childhood and dysfunctional
family could explain why he loved being around kids and why he saw this as all innocent. Jackson has routinely said
that he never had a childhood. He was under so much pressure, and his father was not loving--he was a tyrannical manager
who treated Michael like a paycheck. So, it really is entirely possible that Michael became emotionally stunted. He
grew up, but he remained a boy, longing for a childhood.

So, he gravitated toward children and toward a childlike life. His Neverland ranch, with the petting zoo and rides seemed more
about giving himself a childhood and being like a child.

It's difficult though...because some of this is classic pedophile personality. Pedophiles are usually very emotionally
stunted, and they don't relate well to adults. Children seem less threatening to them. So, they become attracted to them
because it's easier for them to relate to adults who are more sophisticated and mature. Some pedophiles covet children. They
resent them for being so innocent and vulnerable, and they want to strip all of that away. Obviously, if Jackson was a pedophile,
he wasn't that kind of pedophile.

It's possible that Jackson was so severely damaged by his father and other adults who exploited him--that he didn't like adults
and didn't want to grow up to be like them. Growing up meant bad things to him.

I think many children who hail from abusive homes can be immature like this. They fear growing up because they have been
shattered. I don't think I'm breaking any confidences (i'm not naming names or anything) when I mention that it's not at all
unusual to see victims of sexual abuse, in support group settings---who have stuffed animals and blankets with them. I've
seen it all of the time.

The world of the psychologically injured adult child really is a very unique space.