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Do you agree with age of consent laws (18 in most states) or do you think they should change?
What do you think is the best age of consent? It's different in each state but on a national level there is a lot of pressure to make it 18 for all purposes. Is that too low, too high, or just right?
I have mixed feelings about it. I've known 40 year olds who didn't have the maturity of some 16 year olds, so the age limit seems too arbitrary. I think it should be flexible and not a magic overnight change from "she can't do anything" to "she can do everything you can imagine in your sickest, wildest fantasies." That should be "she or he" but it's usually the "she" who is wanted for adult films or for intimate relations with older men.
@Alexis: Your argument is good enough to make me retract my comments and 40 vs. 16. The "maturity" I'm thinking of is in the realms of intellect and visible behavior. But you're right about teens, their brains have yet to fully develop in terms of social maturity and understanding long-term consequences.
@WRG: Good point about requiring tests... That would be the logical extension of what I said. Am glad to get these intelligent responses.
3 Answers
- ?Lv 61 decade ago
Hi tongpa,
I think the answer really comes down to whether or not you have teen-age daughters. Most fathers would probably pick oh, about 21 and still keep a gun behind the front door. I'm being a bit facetious, but I think you are way off when you say that some 40 year-olds are more mature than some 16 year olds. Teen-agers don't have the capability of predicting the consequences of certain actions, nor have they developed the ability to read people, which comes from years of experience. The smart teens know enough to stay away from older men, if they've been raised well. They may not really understand why, but they respect parents who have their best interests at heart.
Further comment: No matter how you try and justify it, you are an older man who still wants to "hit on" young girls.
- WRGLv 71 decade ago
I don't like the idea of a federally mandated age because the constitution doesn't give the federal government that power.
While there are surely 40 year olds not mature enough and 16 year olds that are there really is no way other than a state mandated age whatever that number might be. What do you want, people to have to take a written test before they can have sex?
BTW. I think it should be 18. That is when all states have decided you are and adult and that that you can enter a contract. The decision to have sex is at least that important.
- Ranger4402Lv 71 decade ago
Where I grew up the official age of consent in my state was 18. But there was a catch.
If you are boy and at least 15 years old or a girl and at least 16, then your parents can't file a criminal complaint on your behalf. You have to file it. So, the defacto age of consent was 15 for boys and 16 for girls. Don't ask my why girls have a higher age.
I think in other states there are little exceptions here and there such as Romeo & Juliet laws (one person is over 18 but the age difference is less than 3 years). Also, let's say you are 17 and you'll turn 18 in two weeks. Is it necessary to file charges if a 20 year old has sex with you since you are so close to turning 18?
I don't know if we need to change the age of consent. But, we do need to change the double standard in enforcement. If a 25 year old man has sex with a 15 year old girl, then all hell breaks loose. But if a 25 year old woman has sex with a 15 year old boy, then far less hell breaks loose. That has to change. Men get treated in a harsher way than women for such offenses and that is wrong.
