When antis target MAPs, they imagine that they're pretty much always going after middle aged men. Who of course must also be ugly and socially inept, right? This stereotypical idea makes them feel more justified in their harassment, death threats, etc.
But - take any randomly selected group of MAPs, and you'll find that they are a hell of a lot more diverse than what you imagined. In that randomly selected group, there will be MAPs of every race, every sexuality, every gender, etc. There are MAPs who are women, MAPs who are teenagers, MAPs who are young adults. MAPs who are introverted and MAPs who are social butterflies. MAPs who are right wing and MAPs who are left wing. MAPs who are average looking and MAPs who are practically supermodels.
There is not a single trait or stereotype that applies to all MAPs across the board, other than their attraction to minors, that is the single thing they are united by. Two MAPs might be polar opposites in every other way.
@Azraeil the "ugly, socially inept middle-aged man" thing feels... really ableist to me. feels like it could just as easily be an autism stereotype? and if thats how they justify people being deserving of harassment thats uh. pretty concerning
@anonny125 "Pedo-hunting" is often motivated by ableism more than anything else. Just look at the comments on "to catch a predator" clips on youtube. People focus on their appearance and mannerisms more than what they are actually attempting to do. (And even though these people are intending to commit an offense I still don't agree with the entire concept of that show, shaming offenders and showing that off to millions of people doesn't do any good.)
@Azraeil its been a while but i also seem remember reading that vigilante pedo-hunting makes prosecuting people actively harder since any evidence that might be gathered is basically guaranteed to be inadmissable in court?
not that the legal system isnt also a complete crock of shit of course but if these people really cared about predators Facing Justice™ and not just the visceral thrill of punishing people for stepping out of line you'd think thats something they would want to avoid 🙄
