They're learning there's lots of different types of adults drawn to kids. Some really do just want to dominate someone. Some are socially stunted in some way and only feel they can relate to someone much younger than themselves, yet have sincere intentions. if not always very wise about how they go about things. Some have some sort of strange self-aggrandizement ego thing going on which makes them feel invincible to ever getting busted for anything (this might just be some simultaneous trait in addition to their attraction). Then there's lots of other types that they still can't seem to explain.

PhD baby-steps.