Age of consent 21? 18? 16? 14? Younger?

[Edmund Blackadder]

Age of Consent?

What age do you believe the age of sexual consent hould be?

In the UK at the moment it is 16 for Straight and Gay peoples to have consented sex.

Where do you think personal choice should be allowed to overruled by the state?

 

[Blondie Bear]

That's a loaded question. I think the age-of-consent thing is mostly to protect younger people, not restrict them. If some freak molests someone under the age of consent, they are subject to MUCH stricter penalties than otherwise. I've never heard of an underage couple (when both were underage) being tried, let alone convicted, of having sex before the age of consent.

That said, I'm a bit confused about the difference (in America) between the age of consent and achieving majority at age 18. And I'm not horribly sure about allowing the government to dictate our sexuality, sexual habits, or sexual choices. (Of course, as anyone who has visited my blog has probably noticed, I'm a supporter of Dr. Ron Paul, and as such think that the government needs to be as hands-off as possible.) And while I think that children and young adults do need such protection from pedophiles, these laws really only protect them after the fact. If a pedophile wants to molest a child, they're going to do it, regardless of the law. Only after they're caught do the stricter penalties kick in.

Wow, if I'd known I was going to go on this long, I probably would have brought some water.

That's just my 2 cents.

 

[Randy Giles]

Eh, I think it should be at least 16, although different people mature at different rates, obviously. Had I been in a situation where some sexy seductress was trying to bed me at age 16, I could have made a rational decision. 😉

 

[eponinethen]

In the UK at the moment it is 16 for Straight and Gay peoples to have consented sex.

Lol.

People are gonna have sex whatever the law says. What I think is important is the laws about sexual assault, "“ harassment, etc. I'd say anything's fine as long as long as it's really what you want/what you're ready for. The problem isn't sex itself but the big deal that we make out of sexuality and sex.

 

[mogwaid]

i think its 16 here in australia too. To have sex. But if your over 18 i dont think you can have sex with someone under 18, but of course, people do it, like girls who date 20 year old guys when they're 16. The laws to have sex, are different here if your homosexual or heterosexual tho. It differs with states, but you have to be 18 to have homosexual relations.

 

[eponinethen]

But if your over 18 i dont think you can have sex with someone under 18

Which is really interesting 'cause it means you basically need to be exactly the same age as your sex partner "“ if you're in a sexual relationship "“ or you'll have to take a break from sex after one of you have turned 18.

 

[Slayergal]

After reading the question I have to admit I don't know what the age of consent is here in the U.S. Although I believe the age of consent is to ward off sick people who would molest or rape young people more than it is to tell young people they can't have sex until they are a certain age. I think if a person has reached a level of maturity to understand and deal with the consequences of his/her actions then age shouldn't be a factor as long as it is consentual. Yet however I wonder what can be done to better educate young people especially those who have not reached that maturity level. It seems like more and more kids (12, 13, 14) are having babies theses days. Kids who are not equipped to deal with the consequences but still don't use birth control or condoms to prevent such things as pregnancy or STDs. I hope I am not offending anyone here cause it is not my intent. I just want young people to enjoy life and wait to have babies when they are ready for them. There is no shame in waiting to have sex until you are 18 or 21.

 

[boreanaz]

In (Canada) Where I grew up the age is 18 and over , which I belive is the correct age to be. Although everyone has there own thought's , although I also belive that you should feel free to do it , when you feel it is the right time.

 

[TabulaRasa]

I think it should be 18.

 

[definition of insane]

I know that the rule that used to be in place in Australia was that the legal age for girls was 16 and for boys it was 18 (something about girls maturing quicker than boys).

That was when I was still in high school and learning legal studies though. I'm pretty sure mogs is right about how it is now.

 

[eponinethen]

I know that the rule that used to be in place in Australia was that the legal age for girls was 16 and for boys it was 18 (something about girls maturing quicker than boys).

What about transsexuals, intersexuals (that the word in English too?) and genderqueer people?

The only reason girls would be allowed to have sex before guys is 'cause according to heteronormative ideas about [hetero]sexuality, men should be older/stronger/more powerful than women, in a relationship.

 

[Edmund Blackadder]

The one thing i've always found 'funny' is the whole - to protect younger people' -.

I don't see how that works.

If you have, for instance, a Man who is older than 16 who sleeps with a 14 year old and she consents then its very unlikely that this person will be found out. Seems reasonable to assume that.

If the 14 year old is forced then it is rape. The girl may or may not decide to tell anyone BUT at 14, 24 or 84 rape is rape is rape.
The fact she doesn't wish to tell anyone is not something one can associate with her age as a huge number of rape victims do not report their problem and age is irrelevent.

Poeple that want to molest children, again that is abuse so regardless of what laws are in place, it, saddly, will happen.

This is how I would have it.

12-16 year olds.
Even with the best education in the world, young teens are still going to be naturally inquisitive. While we should try our best to dissuade these youngsters from having sex, we should also do our best to teach them the proper practices of safe sex. Abstinance is nice in theory but will never work 100% of the time.
If any from this age group have CONSENTUAL sex with at most a years age difference between parties they should not have to fear any prosecution.

15 - 18 Year Olds.
I have had an overlap because, well its not uncommon to see a 15 year old dating a 16/17 year old and, to be honest, why should it be?
As long as they are both consenting it seems to me that by 15 you are mature enough(not placing the onus on the girls, but there is a very strong argument that you mature quicker than guys so the girl would be as able to determine if she is ready to be with a guy at 15 as she would at 16).
I would just reiterate the education aspect of this.
For gay guys, I would again suggest that it be 'legal' for this age range, however over and above a year or 19+, then I would say this is wrong.

18+ as long as it is consentual its fine.

I don't think the sexual preference should have any bearing on this and i'm sure this wouldn't please everyone BUT sex is something we all experience at different times and its natural that we do so. We should be educating more on the safe side of it and while being protective of the younger members of society, understand that they are growing up and becoming inquisitive of this side of life. The shouldn't be treated as adults exactly, but they should be afforded a safety net to grow at their own pace and experience life at the same pace.

Ultimately though, to coin a Labour phrase never backed up, we should be 100% behind 'education, education, education'.

What about transsexuals, intersexuals (that the word in English too?) and genderqueer people?

Never heard intersexuals or genderqueer before, but as long as its mutual and consented within the ages i've suggested above, I see no issue with it.

 

[Slayergal]

Nice answer Bored of the Dead. You are right young teens still are going to be naturally inquisitive. But I think young people need to be well educated about how to protect themselves from STDs and teen pregnancy. Back when I was in high school teen pregnancy wasn't a big thing. Sure you had your occasional junior or senior girl who was knocked up. Now days it is a big deal and it is not just the high school girls it is the junior high girls getting knocked up. Used to be it was scandelous to be a pregnant teenager. Now it seems like it is the popular thing to do. I used to work as a substitute for grades (K-6) and it saddens me to see a majority of the young girls who I remember having in the classes I substituted in who are now in high school are pregnant with their first or second baby. I get even more sadden and even annoyed when I am on forums for moms and moms-to-be and you see these little girls come on and brag "I'm 12 and I'm pregnant!" and so on. Like they want everyone on the forum to know how old they are. I'm not like a lot of the moms who then put the pregnant teens down by calling them sluts, etc.. What even annoys me more is when they come on the forum with this story "I'm 12 and I'm pregnant. My family has kicked me out and disowned me and the baby's daddy left me. I'm not old enough to get a job and I don't have money to buy stuff for the baby. Can anyone here help me? I need everything." What nerve to ask complete and total strangers for handouts! I wasn't financially set when I got pregnant with my son but I didn't go around and ask for handouts. Yes I had a job because I could work. I am never a rude nor do I answer the post but I just fill like posting "Maybe you shoulda thought about that before spreading your legs!" or "Not my fault you were too stupid to get on birth control and have sex before you are old enough to get a job!" Somewhere there needs to be better education or maybe it should be mandatory that teenage girls get put on birth control as soon they start menstruating. If young people are not old enough to get a job then they shouldn't be having babies. Again I hope I don't offend anyone it is not my intent just my opinion.

 

[evo]

Sounds like a maury show with 13 year old couples having babies : erm :

There should definetly be a age limit... and more education on the actually act of sex and the results of underage sex rather than placing condoms on bannanas.

Having said that i belive it falls to the individual, there should be no pressure, sex is not a big deal.

And its rather shocking that prime time TV will show a 16 year old having an affair with a mid old housewife.

But it was mentioned here about maturity... i think thats the biggest thing... i was in relationship for 3 years... between 15 and 17 and i was not ready for sex... i knew this, and even now at 19 i'm more than happy to wait for the right person.

You may think that's strange but bah lol