12. The state of research

Researchers agree that the state of understanding of sexual attraction to minors is poor.

• Cultural, political, and legal obstacles prevent the study of minor-attracted men who have not been convicted of a crime. Thus, most studies are based on criminal samples of convicted offenders who are not representative of the general population.⁴⁴
• Several researchers have written that the development of a knowledge base is hampered by narrow conceptual perspectives, poor methodology, and imprecise or inconsistent definitions.⁴⁵
• Scientists have also noted that conclusions often result from biased methodology based on moral beliefs rather than scientific principles.⁴⁶

• For more information, see the section on this site about problems with research.