hebephilic

English

Etymology

From hebephilia +‎ -ic.

Adjective

hebephilic (comparative more hebephilic, superlative most hebephilic)

1. Relating to, or exhibiting hebephilia (a preference for adolescent girls)
   • 1980 Sexual Abuse of Children: Selected Readings page 30 (in chapter 7: "The Nature and Treatment of Male Sex Offenders" by Ronald M. Costell, M.D.)

     Hebephilic offenders (those who prefer adolescent girls) and ephebophilic offenders (those with a homosexual preference for adolescent boys) exhibit characteristics which parallel those of the pedophile.

   • 1987, Working with Violent Families: A Guide for Clinical and Legal Practitioners‎^[1], page 187:

     It is difficult to categorize juveniles who commit sex crimes against other children. Within this group there are hebephilic offenders who prefer adolescent females, ephebophilic offenders with a homosexual preference, and still others who appears generally pedophilic (Costell, 1980, p. 30).

   • 1989 at Risk: The Other Side of Child Sexual Abuse - Page 61

     Costell (1980) describes similar characteristics in hebephilic offenders (preferring adolescent girls) and ephebophilic offenders (preferring adolescent boys).

See also

• ephebophilic - paired adjective referring to preference for adolescent boys