Hebephilia refers to an adult's
sexual preference for pubescent youths; the term was introduced by Glueck (1955).1 It differs from ephebophilia, which refers to the erotic interest in individuals in mid- to late adolescence,2 and from
pedophilia, which refers to the erotic interest in prepubescent children.3 While individuals with a
sexual preference for adults (i.e., teleiophiles) may have some sexual interest in pubescent-aged individuals,4 the term hebephilia is reserved for those who prefer pubescent-aged individuals over adults.