IV

106TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 107

Expressing the sense of Congress rejecting the conclusions of a recent article

published by the American Psychological Association that suggests that

sexual relationships between adults and children might be positive for

children.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MAY 12, 1999

Mr. SALMON (for himself, Mr. DELAY, Mr. PITTS, and Mr. WELDON of Florida) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to

the Committee on Education and the Workforce

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of Congress rejecting the conclusions

of a recent article published by the American Psychological Association that suggests that sexual relationships

between adults and children might be positive for children.

Whereas children are a precious gift and responsibility given

to parents by God;

Whereas the spiritual, physical, and mental well-being of children is their sacred duty;

Whereas parents have the right to expect government to refrain from interfering with them in fulfilling their sacred

duty and to render necessary assistance;
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Whereas the United States Supreme Court has held that parents ‘‘who have this primary responsibility for children’s

well-being are entitled to the support of laws designed to

aid discharge of that responsibility’’ (Ginsberg v. New

York, 390 U.S. 629, 639 (1968));

Whereas no segment of our society is more critical to the future of human survival and society than our children;

Whereas it is the obligation of all public policymakers not

only to support but also to defend the health and rights

of parents, families, and children;

Whereas information endangering children is being made

public and, in some instances, may be given unwarranted

or unintended credibility through release under professional titles or through professional organizations;

Whereas elected officials have a duty to inform and counter

actions they consider damaging to children, parents, families, and society;

Whereas Congress has made sexual molestation and exploitation of children a felony;

Whereas all credible studies in this area, including those published by the American Psychological Association, condemn child sexual abuse as criminal and harmful to children;

Whereas the American Psychological Association has recently

published a severely flawed study that suggests that sexual relationships between adults and children are less

harmful than believed and might even be positive for

‘‘willing’’ children;

Whereas ‘‘Paidika—the Journal of Pedophilia’’, a publication

advocating the legalization of sex with ‘‘willing’’ children,

has published an article by one of the authors of the
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study, Robert Bauserman, Ph.D. (see ‘‘Man-Boy Sexual

Relationships in a Cross-Cultural Perspective’’, Issue 5);

and

Whereas the United States Supreme Court has recognized

that ‘‘sexually exploited children are unable to develop

healthy, affectionate relationships in later life, have sexual dysfunction, and have a tendency to become sexual

abusers as adults’’ (New York v. Ferber, 458 U.S. 747,

759, n.10 (1982)): Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that—

3 (1) Congress condemns and denounces all sug4 gestions in the study recently published by the

5 American Psychological Association that indicates

6 sexual relationships between adults and ‘‘willing’’

7 children are less harmful than believed and might

8 even be positive for ‘‘willing’’ children;

9 (2) Congress urges the President to likewise re10 ject and condemn, in the strongest terms possible,

11 any suggestion that sexual relations between chil12 dren and adults—regardless of the child’s frame of

13 mind—are anything but abusive, destructive,

14 exploitive, reprehensible, and punishable by law; and

15 (3) the Congress encourages competent inves16 tigations to continue to research the effects of child

17 sexual abuse using the best methodology so that the
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1 public and public policymakers may act upon accu2 rate information.

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