"Isn't she a little young?"

[Whaleboy]

But where do we draw that line? Any line would be fairer for some than others, which isn't good enough.

[Elok]

Well, aside from Right To Nail concerns, there is the fact that length between generations is the biggest factor in population growth if I remember my HS ecology class correctly. There's also something insane about taking part in a process that could cause children when you're not even done being a child yourself. And unless you believe twelve-year-olds have the ability to be fully independent and make their own decisions in all matters, you're selectively bending age-of-consent rules to cater to the Pervert Vote. They're in a time of physical and emotional turmoil, but don't let that stop you from nailing 'em, right?

[Jon Miller]

anytime where you are probably living on your parents dole is too young

that is (where it is in the US) arround 18

seems like a good age for me

Jon Miller

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Whaleboy
But a contract is not a bodily or cognitive function. If you define a contract as a mutual agreement, then clearly age restrictions are as problematic as age restrictions on sex. Defining that agreement as something recognised by law however then that does concern other people and is secondary to the capabilities of a human, a bit like the difference between a will to go to the moon and the *right* to do thus.

Consent is recognized by law - otherwise rape could not occur (or rather, all sex would be rape).

Plucking a figure from the air. I don't think a flat statement of 16 slapped on everyone is sufficient, accurate or beneficial. What difference occurs between the ages of 15 years 11 months and 16 years one month that make this a consistent idea?

This reasoning can be applied to voting as well.

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
Kids are idiots and we should not let them make important decisions without adult supervision.

[The Emperor Fabulous]

What a pathetic waste of taxpayer dollars (if it isn't privately funded. If it is, its a silly waste of money that could be better spent on something else)

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Jon Miller
anytime where you are probably living on your parents dole is too young

that is (where it is in the US) arround 18

seems like a good age for me

Jon Miller

I think that adulthood should be phased in (legally speaking).

Last thing to go should be parents' requirement to support you.

Before that, you can drive at 16, you are increasingly criminally responsible for your actions etc.

16 seems like a good age to me. 17 year-olds are almost all already ****ing. No reason to mess up some 20 year-old's life because he had trouble resisting a girl who looks and acts just about his age.

We have it set to 14 in Canada. A bit too young in my opinion. The big changes are just about done in all cases by 16. Girls and boys have already pretty much developed into men and women by that time.

[Whaleboy]

Consent is recognized by law - otherwise rape could not occur (or rather, all sex would be rape).

"The undersigned does hereby declare that the contractor may penetrate the undersigned until gratification be achieved for one or both of the parties or the undersigned declares this contract void in the course of the proceedings."

I do not consider giving consent to be a contract, at least in the sense you purport it, rather than personal permission. For example, I may give you permission to soc me in the jaw (this is hypothetical I'm afraid ) but that is only a contract in so far as it affects the two of us, and is informal to the degree that it becomes a simple question of communicative semantics. If you ask for permission, I do not give it (there is a contractual understanding inherent there) and yet you proceed to hit me, you are guilty of assault, just as non consenting sex is rape, not breach of contract. Using you logic, we could argue contractualism to be the basis for all communication, which is true in this sense, but that does not render it an entity of responsibility in its own right, as your argument seems to depend upon it.

This reasoning can be applied to voting as well.

Agreed, but you know my views on democracy. If you're going to vote, I think you should qualify for that right, namely show that you have the ability to make that decision, however, I'm sure you are familiar with my views on democracy.

I think that adulthood should be phased in (legally speaking).

[Jon Miller]

I would think that start at 16 (limited)

but give a 6 year thing instead of 2 year

all open at 18 of course

Jon miller

[Saint Marcus]

Buch of pervs. Just **** people over the age of consent and then you won't have to worry about this.

It varies per country. Some countries: 12, some: 14, some :16, some: 18, some 21. Which is right? Or is it a case of "when in Rome, do as the Romans"?

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Whaleboy
I disagree, since there is a big difference between political rights and social rights. Essentially with a political right, you are granting an artificial, sociological right, whereas with the age of consent, you are granting a right to use your own body. It's like the difference between the right to wear what you want, and the right to order others to wear what you want.

I disagree. The underlying idea is the same, that when a person reaches a certain age, he or she can rationally make decisions, if said person is well informed about the issues in question.

[Ted Striker]

Originally posted by Saint Marcus


It varies per country. Some countries: 12, some: 14, some :16, some: 18, some 21. Which is right? Or is it a case of "when in Rome, do as the Romans"?

Where in the hell is it 12? Netherlands?

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Ted Striker


Where in the hell is it 12? Netherlands?

and I believe a small number of US states .. . The US is unlike a lot of countries in that a lot of criminal law is actually state law and not federal law

[Flubber]

Whaleboy

I think the issue is actually fairly simple .. . Does the state have an interest in preventing adults having sex with the "immature"?

If the answer is "no" then I guess every six year old out there is fair game right??

With a "yes " answer, then you have the problem of implementation. The clearest, simplest and most practical method is to pick an arbitrary age limit. While nothing magical happens on the day a person attainst that age, hopefully the age is one where most persons are better able to handle sexual matters.

If we did not have an arbitrary age, how do we govern the issue? Individual assessments? the pedophiles would have a field day certifying their ten year olds as "old enough"; they could probably have their pedophile doctor friend make it official

[General Ludd]

Originally posted by Ted Striker


Where in the hell is it 12? Netherlands?

acording to this it is in Mexico, Netherlands, Zimbabwe, and a whole bunch of south american countries.