"A Young Woman Is a Child"?

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I’ve paid close attention to the general public’s reaction to the topic of Jeffrey Epstein. Although I have no personal interest in this matter, I find it fascinating how feminist narratives have corrupted the subject much in the same manner as they toxified the MeToo movement.

Specifically, women (adult human females) were deprived personal agency (the capacity, condition, or state of acting or of exerting power). Personally, this is akin to infantilization (treating people as children or in a way which denies their maturity in age or experience).

Similarly, females who attained the age of majority (18-years-old) were denied personal responsibility and accountability (collectively “ownership”). Responsibility is defined as the quality or state of being responsible, such as a moral, legal, or mental accountability.

Here, “responsible” is defined as liable to be called to account as the primary cause, motive, or agent, and being able to answer for one’s conduct and obligations—something, such as the demands of conscience or custom, that obligates one to a course of action.

Accountability is defined as the quality or state of being accountable, especially regarding an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one’s actions. Here, “accountable” is defined as subject to giving an account—a statement explaining one’s conduct.

When providing psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), a psychotherapeutic modality which arguably requires that one preferably should take personal ownership in order to reduce self-disturbance, I lean heavily on responsibility and accountability.

This approach to rational living rejects victimhood narratives. Therefore, I maintain that agreeing upon when the national age of majority begins: (1) separates children from adults and (2) places a starting point at which one can assume personal agency and ownership.

However, another infantilizing victim mentality rhetorical strategy I’ve observed concerning the Epstein saga relates to a distortion about the distinction between pedophilia, hebephiliac, and ephebophilia. Regarding this, I stated in a blogpost entitled The Terms We Use Matter:

If [Department of Justice] records are accurate, from a non-diagnostic standpoint, Epstein and Maxwell were ostensibly engaged in hebephiliac [the primary sexual interest in early adolescence, typically ages 11–14] and ephebophilia [the primary sexual interest in later adolescents, typically ages 15–18].

Yet, from a non-diagnostic or clinical outlook, these individuals were not classified as pedophiles or warrant the label of pedophilia [primary or exclusive sexual attraction to prepubescent children, generally age 10 or under].

I foresee an ad hominem attack, as someone may unhelpfully state, “Why do you care what terms are used for Epstein and Maxwell? What are you, a chomo [child molester] or something?” I have no particular concern for the reputation of the late Epstein or an incarcerated Maxwell.

Rather, I maintain that the terms we use matter, because I’ve worked with pedophiles, hebephiles, and ephebophiles when providing mental health services. While I understand the desire for people to villainize all of these individuals as monstrous pedophiles, they aren’t.

Not only have I witnessed people ostensibly denying that women have personal agency and ownership—even 18-year-olds, I’ve observed individuals claiming that younger adult-aged women are children (people between infancy and puberty, not yet of the age of majority).

I wholeheartedly disagree with this form of disempowerment (to deprive of power, authority, or influence: to make weak, ineffectual, or unimportant). Rather, I prefer a method of empowering women—a category that begins at the age of 18—to assume personal agency and ownership.

Instead of speaking in abstraction, it may be useful to provide a specific example of such absurdity for your consideration. I was recently made aware of something fashion model Christy Turlington recently stated on a podcast episode. In particular, she said:

[…] it was something that I was aware of, but I didn’t, like, go deep on it until I had a child of my own who, at 15 or so, I could see men’s eyes, you know, looking at her in that way. And I don’t know if it’s like that twist of, you know, girl becoming a woman.

Like, just, this is up for controversy at the moment with all the Epstein files and the definition of what is a child, and what is a woman. But a young woman is a child, and I don’t know that a lot of men have control over how they react to that beauty, innocence, whatever that is. It’s like, it’s like… a kind of drug, I think.

And I think people aren’t even aware that they have that reaction. And they need to actually be taught not to have that reaction, or to ask themselves why they’re having that reaction. It’s a very strange thing to observe.

In the most literal sense, a young woman is not a child. Perhaps a syllogistic example representing my claim is in order, as this is a tool I use when teaching people about beliefs which are rational (in accordance with both logic and reason):

Form (hypothetical) –

If p, then q; if q, then r; therefore, if p, then r.

Example –

If 18 is the age of majority at which time a girl becomes a woman (p), then attraction by men to a young woman isn’t against the law (q).

If attraction by men to a young woman isn’t against the law (q), then there’s nothing wrong with men finding 18-year-old women physically attractive (r).

Therefore, if 18 is the age of majority at which time a girl becomes a woman (p), then there’s nothing wrong with men finding 18-year-old women physically attractive (r).

Not only is it acceptable to find younger women attractive, one source addressing the evolutionary psychology aspect of this matter states, “Whereas women of all ages prefer slightly older sexual partners, men—regardless of their age—have a preference for women in their 20s.”

Attraction of this sort isn’t a “reaction” that men need to be taught not to have. It’s natural, as well as being legal. Young women aren’t children, so there’s no issue other than the feminist-influenced drivel espoused by Turlington on a podcast regarding her 22-year-old daughter.

One commenter on an article regarding this matter correctly stated, “22 is a young woman. It’s her child but not a child. I would love for Christy to recall what she was doing at 22.” Bad ideas deserved to be mocked, as suggesting that “a young woman is a child” is fucking ridiculous!

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

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