Ephebophilia

The ephebophile flag

Ephebophilia is attraction to freshly postpubescent young people, typically in the age range from 15 to 19.

Inclusion in map attractions

Despite being an attraction to biologically developed individuals, ephebophilia is frequently grouped together with attractions of the map spectrum. This happens because of the stigma shared by older people who find themselves attracted to the youth in the Western society, as well as an ageist idea that older teenagers are in some ways equivalent to children, and associated with that legal status of a minor a large fraction of this age group has. Ephebophiles are not inherently classified as maps, but may identify as such.

History of the term

The term itself comes from the Greek word "ephebos" (ἔφηβος), denoting a young man (17-20) training to become a full citizen. It was coined by French doctor Georges Saint-Paul in his work Tares et Poisons: Perversion et Perversité Sexuelles, where he was attempting to classify male homosexuality. This term gained more traction and relative popularity in the middle of the 20th century.

Misconceptions

Some, including prominent researchers , occasionally cut off the upper edge of ephebophilia and equate it to attraction to 15-17 year olds. This is done to validate separating age attractions into two monolithic groups, with 18, the age of consent in multiple USA states, as the dividing line.