That's what I meant - perhaps it often works out that way, and only the rape cases are being reported to the western world for emotional effect.

"I just responded to the oft-repeated claim that we should try to be more understanding of pedophiles if and only if they are from a different culture."

I've never heard that kind of story, but I admit that I don't read a lot about pedophiles.

But it seems normal that 12 year olds have sex. Perhaps criticizing the age difference has a lot of culture dependent aspects? For example the limit of 18 years to call somebody an adult seems somewhat arbitrary. In any case I don't think pedophilia can be attached to an age limit, only to body development?