South Park, Episode 406: June 21, 2000

This episode’s theme surrounds the stereotyped ideals of the North American Man Boy Love Association. The way NAMBLA is presented is an extreme stereotype, one which NAMBLA strives to convince society that it is not. Stereotypes are popular culture’s way of understanding (or misunderstanding) a counter culture. Mainstream society often can not deal with the complications of socially deviant issues, like pederasty, so they simplify the problem (the man in this case) into a one dimensional stereotype.

The stereotype that is most commonly held about the members of NAMBLA is that they use toys, candy, alcohol, pornography, etc to lure unsuspecting boys. The evidence of wine in Sister Aloysuis’ case against Father Flynn in Doubt would be an example of alcohol as a sign of pedophillic coercion taking place-Alcohol is problematic in any individuals ability to consent, at any age. This stereotype of course does raise the point that there are likely to be members who will use these methods, but does that rule out the members who do stand for the stated “beneficial” aspects of NAMBLA that rely on a mutually consenting and honest relationship?