Poll: The age of consent

[The_Echo]

I feel that 13 is too young, see as that's around the beginning of puberty, so it'd probably be awkward anyways, and (at least around here) 13-year olds are idiots that don't know what they're doing. 16 is more reasonable, and I think that's the age of consent where I live. However, I still think that, in some cases, it's not the best age. I think 18 is probably the best age, because by then most of them are smart enough to know what they're getting in to.

 

[TheEnglishman]

I say 18, or at least while they're in school for the simple logic that teenagers are just slightly foolish and irresponcible (my self included)

I've seen a lot of class members lost through pregnancy and I've seen friends drive themselves to the edges of the Universe over the whole issue of sexual relations. I just think school students aren't ready for that stuff.

But hell, I'm talking from a virgin perspective here, what do I know.

Yeah, I took the same route you did and I'm pretty happy with myself. Still, I don't think that it's the end of the world if other people do and, looking back, I wish that just one of the many times that attractive girls my age offered to rock my world I had said "yes."

Old age doesn't bring wisdom, but it does give perspective; and there is nothing so sad as looking back and seeing, far behind you, temptations you've resisted. -- Robert A. Heinlein

In my experience (especially as someone dating a 23-year old recent non-virgin), people are completely retarded about sex and relationships when they start having them no matter how old they are. Starting sexual activities in one's teens (ok, I'll be honest that I first went down on a girl when I was 16 (and she didn't reciprocate, god what a fucking gyp)) doesn't seem to fuck people up even while it gives them valuable experience. In other words, while a lot of life experiences suck when you're immature, you don't get mature by avoiding them.

Like I said, I've no experience. If a girl provided the option and she wasn't a total slut I'd probably say yes. Until than I'm just trying to avoid the whole major fuck ups so I'm approaching sex with caution.

Also occasionally I play the fact I'm Chrisian, but to be honest I have no idea what the rules are to Protestant Christians reguarding sex before marriage.

 

[Aznleeman]

I'm going for somewhere around 16. Once they can drive themselves anywhere they want, you've let them go anywhere to get laid. Can't really stop them at that point.

 

[barryween]

This topic came up a while back - There is no simple answer to that question. The mind of a person varies from person to person but what it is set at in each country is decidedly best for the majority of people.

I agree. I also agree with my states law, it's 16 unless if the other person has power over you (not like rape (duh) but like a teacher, minister, etc) it's 18.

 

[The Riff]

I'm good with 16 years old like here in Norway

 

[DM master]

I am good with a 14/15 age limmit.

But i dont think this law is ever enforced unless it is a largly older person with someone under 16

 

[Viruzzo]

Please, stop quoting me to make pedophiles priest jokes...

Sincerely, below 18 (and even more below 16) seems very wrong to me: how can someone say 14 having sex with someone say 40 be considered right?

 

[Toga112]

It's hard to say. People mature at different rates and some people know the risks more than others. 16 seems to be a good mark, thats what it is over here.

 

[rainman2203]

Why would it be different if you were gay? Gay sex is no different from straight sex, aside from the partner. Unless you're suggesting that anal be restricted to more mature individuals, in which case, have a fun time trying to enforce that.

OT: 16-18ish is fine, but I'd want legislation to stop 40 something creepers from picking up young women. I know there are already laws but I would drastically increase punishments.

 

[thedailylunatic]

Call me old fashioned, but I stand firm that the age of consent should be 18. Sex is serious buisness, which can have very serious results ranging from STDs to child-birth. Most individuals below the age of 18 are not equipped to handle these effects, neither emotionally or monetarily. In the States, atleast, most individuals under the age of 18 are still in school. Not a healthy environment to raise a child.

Furthermore, I know a wealth of people well over this age which I do not believe should EVER, I repeat, EVER have sex. Saddly, it's harder to write laws aimed at an individuals intelligence, appearence, or morals. Bastards...

http://xkcd.com/603/
I rest my case.

 

[thedailylunatic]

I'm a bit uninformed on that, what exactly does "age of consent" mean?
The age at which a person is ready, in the sense of the law, to agree to sex?
Or the age at which a person is ready to agree to sex with an adult?
Or what?

It's the age at which you can legally consent to have sex. If you are too young to consent to sex, then any sex you indulge in is technically rape (of you). Therefore, any sex under the age of consent is legally rape.

 

[andrat]

Hmm. I'm good with the 14 limit here in Canada

it's 16 now, not 14, Harper moved it up to 16

i think Canada does it right, it's 16 but there is a 2 year buffer, ie the boy can be 16 and the girl can be 14 and that's legal

i think that 16 is a good age because the kids SHOULD be a bit smarter and know what's going on and be a bit more sexually mature by then and got beyond the "omg i got hair down there" point

My bad. Didn't know/

 

[Skeleon]

It's the age at which you can legally consent to have sex. If you are too young to consent to sex, then any sex you indulge in is technically rape (of you). Therefore, any sex under the age of consent is legally rape.

It makes sense when we're talking about a teenager and an adult.
Didn't sound like that in your answer, though.

What if the other person is the same/similar age?
Would that be a reciprocal rape?!

 

[sabotstarr]

well due to my own experience, not only do people under 16 NOT get sex, but they won't know what to do once they are having it. After 16 and high school sex-ed (the amazing process that it is) kids seem to mature and eventually grow up. 16 should be the age of consent, not 18.

What if the other person is the same/similar age?
Would that be a reciprocal rape?!

OMG You are right!!!

 

[SeanTheSheep]

Incidentally, lowest AOC in Europe? Vatican city. 12.

Well it's not like there's going to be a lot of sex there anyways.

Well... They are catholic, and we all know what catholics are famous for...
Anyway, I think that the AOC should be about 15 but with restrictions. e.g. 15-17 year olds can only do it with up to 20 yr olds

 

[thedailylunatic]

(Baleeted)

 

[cleverlymadeup]

Stastically speaking more teenagers these days are waiting for marriage then having sex before hand.

statistically speaking that's bullshit

it's a proven fact that a lot of the "no sex before marriage" crowd willing participates in anal sex cause it's "not sex", there is a term for that called Saddlebacking

Everyone knows that the best way to defeat statistical evidence is to make unfounded claims and state that the given evidence is "bullshit" or similar.

actually go do some research into it and you'll easily find out that the claim of those stats are bullshit is really true. so maybe you should do some researching into the term Saddlebacking and things called a "technical virgin". you might learn a thing or two

look at how well Bristol Palin did with not having sex before marriage

 

[Cuniculus]

18. In America at least, it's when you become an "adult". I know some people think it should be 16 or whatever, but really, all anyone cares about is pedophiles trying to sleep with ten-year-olds. No one cares if a 13 year old sleeps with a 13 year old (other then the parents). We just don't want a 25 year old sleeping with a 13 year old. The 18 year old rule is only there to help this not happen.

Besides, how much of a loser do you have to be to troll a middle school to pick up chicks anyway?

 

[blindey]

I am in two minds but I think I can happily amalgamate my thinking.

21 along with voting, marriage & all that fun stuff like serving your country and on condition you pass a written exam.

Orrrrrrrrrrrr

14 but christ almighty help you if you get a disease or pregnant. No medical aid or care will be provided under punishment of death. No child support, no nothing ever. You are on your tod.

Oh yeah homosexuality laws are redunant & an anathema.

What is your reasoning for the age of 21 as the end-all be all? In addition to that, there's the issue of a written exam. Freedom isn't free if you can't be entitled to fuck up. =) Written tests for mental acquity for such things have been ruled unconstitutional for a while, as they were used to deny black voters the right to vote. (being able to read, then owning land, then paying a "poll tax", in no real chronological order)

As an actual answer, if you have hit puberty and you have the parts, are willing to live with the consequences and have a willing partner who meets the previous criteria as well, go for it. It's your life.

This. I had a thought just now: Just as with everything else (I thought of drugs and the current "war on drugs", and how during prohibition the rates of use shot up dramatically, and then when it was legalized it stayed the same...then dropped down to pre-prohibition levels), if you empower people to take responsibility, and shift the paradigm to one of self-reliance. Teenagers are going to have sex, whether we make a law against it or not. And on another note, there is COUNTLESS instances of teens being on the sex offender registry for having sex / sexual-ish acts as a minor, being put on it then, and thus being branded for life. Does anyone know if there's any sort of similar thing of the abuse and perversion of the law in other countries (besides the US I meant)?

 

[Captain Blackout]

Watch the movie "Kids". It will show with horrifying detail why we need an age of consent. Seriously, the movie borders on kiddie porn. Both boys and girls can be predatory and you need a way to stop that sort of behavior.

On the other hand we are abusing the laws we have in order to promote puritanical ideas. Children should not be put on a sex offender list for being children.

Um..Maybe it's just me but I did "research" (you know, a google search) on the movie and it basically boils down to a lot of drug use, some date rape, and promiscuity, and you bring this up to further...what point again? I'm not really seein' the connection. In regards to the part about both sexes can be predatory, you're arguing that the age of consent laws stop / diminish that?

MWAHAHAHA You poor s...oh, mics on. To be fair you should watch the film if for no other reason than it's a brilliant flick.
The entire argument boils down to you only get the tools you allow yourself. There are some kids portrayed who represent some very real possibilities. Holding them accountable on multiple levels is a good idea.

On another example: While I wish the Fualaaus all the best Mary Kay needed to stand as an example that this is dangerous behavior (I could be here all day showing precisely why it's a scary abuse of age, maturity, and position).