I personally do not believe that there is a gene which predisposes one to becoming a ped; I remember quite distinctly how and when it happened to me, at the age of 45, no less.

Interesting. I'd like to hear how it happened at such a late age for you. And I wonder if it's common for it to happen like that?

For starters, to a true ped, the attraction is more emotional than physical.

I disagree. I've been attracted to younger girls since I was very young; the earliest I can recall is being around 11 years old and having a crush on a 4-year old down the street. While it was, in that example, mostly an emotional attraction, I was also physically attracted to her. The two went hand-in-hand for me.

Subsequent attractions through the years were the same, and quite a number of them were more physical than emotional. I've always maintained that a "true ped" is attracted to young people the same way non-peds are attracted to adults; the only difference being the age of the people we're attracted to. Both emotional and physical attraction are involved, albeit on differing levels, depending on the girl we're attracted to.

Next, I would offend (and already have offended) the more politically correct among us if I gave an opinion on the rise of pedophilia which seems to correspond with the rise of the Women's movement. Coincidence, maybe, but more than once it has been brought to my attention by other peds that they are simply turned off when females surrender their femininity to become "persons" (before the flames begin, let me remind you that it was not the case with me, since I was totally and unequivocally attracted to women before my epiphany).
I will concede this much, however; since being shown the light I have almost no patience with the manipulative and deceptive games that all too many women play, nor am I unique is this respect. This is not politically correct either (good!).

If a man has "chosen" to be attracted to children because he can't handle a woman, then he is not a "true ped", IMHO. In fact, that type of person would most likely become a child molester. That's my unrefined knee-jerk response to your theory, but in a nutshell I think it's closer to reality than most might want to admit.

Another theory that I have never seen advanced anywhere is the common yearning to return to the halcyon days of childhood, which always seem better in retrospect.

I have actually pondered this from time to time as well, but then how does one explain my attraction to younger girls when I was still in the halcyon days of my own childhood? Back then, what would I have been trying to recapture; my pre-birth? :-D

Yet another theory is that, in an overcrowded world, a female who can offer the joys of intimacy and not add to the population explosion is intrinsically desirable.

I simply have no comment on that. It's preposterous as far as I'm concerned. Although, if that's what has encouraged pedophilia in a man, he's not what I would call a "true ped".

Nor should one overlook the rewards of mentoring someone.

A fringe benefit, not a cause, IMO.

And let us not forget the satisfaction of showing someone the hypocrisy of a society which condemns Love in almost any form that does not boost the economy is some way, while strengthening them with the ability to see through such hypocrisy before they join the ranks of the befogged and benighted.

Another fringe benefit, I believe. To be able to carry on any kind of relationship with a young girl would naturally encompass that point and the one above it, as well as others. I love being around young girls for so many reasons, and the benefits are not only mutual, but automatic and sometimes unexpected.

We should also remember the the sheer joy of loving someone who brings neither emotional baggage nor cynicism to the relationship.

Again, not so much a cause of pedophilia, but IMO is one of the many facets of children that attracts us; and not actually on a conscious level. It's another fringe benefit, I suppose.

And what about the attraction of being involved with someone who sees the world through fresh eyes, and can bring this spontaneity to the relationship?

Another facet of the attraction, not really a cause. :-)

Much of this is the same attraction that parents feel for their children, which may have much to do with the prevalence of incest in many cultures.

I can't address that because I've never been a parent; I don't know what sort of attraction one has to their children. But I have a feeling it's not as simple as you put it. From what I've heard, parental attraction/affection is a whole different animal. How it contributes to pedophilia I'm not qualified to even guess.

Personally, I think that there is more to it than simply 1 gene.

I tend to agree, and I've often wondered what exactly does cause pedophilia. There are so many theories. Is it environmental? Societal? Is it triggered by certain life experiences? Or is it a combination of all those things, including a gene?

All I know is I prefer the company of children over adults, and I prefer female children over males. Why? I don't know. Should I care? I don't think so, for the same reason adults don't wonder and debate why they prefer adults. The bottom line is, it's the way I am for whatever reason God or Mother Nature or whatever/whoever made me this way. The only thing holding me back from pursuing and/or maintaining a healthy, loving, consensual relationship with a young girl is the law. Other than that, I'm happy to be a ped, and don't try to find reasons or excuses for it. :-)