ON THEORIES 

The clearest impression left by the theories of paedophilia is that there are a good many ways of understanding it. What is uncertain is which approach is the best and for what purpose it is best.

But such conclusions probably should not be drawn. For anyone working with sexual offenders some of the theories may create anger because they appear sympathetic to the offender; others may annoy because of their simplicity and failure to engage widely with the issues involved 
in offending. 

Nevertheless, it is valuable to be aware of the variety of viewpoints available in order to retain openness of mind. The risk is that offenders are understood in terms of relatively simple formulae for action which stifle judgement rather than aid it (Howitt, 1992).