Poll: What should the age of consent be?
- Thread starter Hollybaby
- Start date
What???
Three people have replied "over 16" and not given a reason. That must be a joke.
You know what guys? We have rape laws. We have sexual harrassment laws. Those laws protect people from being harmed. The age of consent is not about protecting young people. It's about imposing morality on society.
Three people have replied "over 16" and not given a reason. That must be a joke.
You know what guys? We have rape laws. We have sexual harrassment laws. Those laws protect people from being harmed. The age of consent is not about protecting young people. It's about imposing morality on society.
over 16 ...
reason is simply that there does need to be some reasonable 'age' at which someone can consent to a sexual encounter with someone who is older.
mind you, if you ask me the cons are just being their typical butt-fucking moral idiots again ... why not raise the driving age? the drinking age? these cause infinite more harm than a couple teens boinking!
dumb fucking conservatives.
reason is simply that there does need to be some reasonable 'age' at which someone can consent to a sexual encounter with someone who is older.
mind you, if you ask me the cons are just being their typical butt-fucking moral idiots again ... why not raise the driving age? the drinking age? these cause infinite more harm than a couple teens boinking!
dumb fucking conservatives.
Well regarding my young daughter who will eventually not be young, the older the better. 25 sounds good to me 
As far as the responses being a joke you can't very well conduct a poll and expect everyone to answer the way you would. You suggested raising the age is about imposing morality on others, perhaps, but it might also be about ensuring people are mature enough to deal with issues that may affect them for the rest of their lives. Kids having kids is the type of situation most would prefer to avoid.
As far as the responses being a joke you can't very well conduct a poll and expect everyone to answer the way you would. You suggested raising the age is about imposing morality on others, perhaps, but it might also be about ensuring people are mature enough to deal with issues that may affect them for the rest of their lives. Kids having kids is the type of situation most would prefer to avoid.
Why do you have a problem with the idea of your dauther having sex though? That's what I don't understand.
Sex is natural and good. The best thing we can do for our young people is educate them about it so that they have positive experiences.
If we give the impression that sex is dirty, or taboo, they're just going to feel guilty and uncomfortable with something that's completely normal.
You have to face it that your daughter is and will grow up. And that's a beautiful thing. If I were you, I'd be more worried about drugs or eating disorders than sex.
Sex is natural and good. The best thing we can do for our young people is educate them about it so that they have positive experiences.
If we give the impression that sex is dirty, or taboo, they're just going to feel guilty and uncomfortable with something that's completely normal.
You have to face it that your daughter is and will grow up. And that's a beautiful thing. If I were you, I'd be more worried about drugs or eating disorders than sex.
So, are you the one that voted for no age of consent? I am curious to how you voted?Hollybaby said:
I can't believe that you think 12 may be fine.Hollybaby said:
I believe that the age of consent is in place to enforce the statutory obligations under such laws. I think that raising the age to 16 may be a good change in protecting many young people who are unable to fend for themselves.
Woops, I didn't see the second part of your response.
I just thought that since we're all in a community that centers around the exchange of sex for money that we'd be a little more liberal about the whole thing.
People enter puberty around age 10 (some younger, some older). Girls are pretty much completely done puberty when they're 15. Yet we must make them wait until they're 16 to have sex?
I got my period when I was 11. That was the age at which I was biologically ready for sex. Yet I only had sex when I was 15 because that's when I met the person I knew I wanted to be my first.
Who am I to tell someone they can't have sex because they're "too young"? I had a friend who had sex when she was 12. She's totally fine, nothing bad happened. And I have friends who were 18 and are totally messed up.
It's all relative, completely dependant on the person. This is why I think it's important to make sure people feel comfortable with their bodies, so that whatever age their ready, it will be right for THEM.
I just thought that since we're all in a community that centers around the exchange of sex for money that we'd be a little more liberal about the whole thing.
People enter puberty around age 10 (some younger, some older). Girls are pretty much completely done puberty when they're 15. Yet we must make them wait until they're 16 to have sex?
I got my period when I was 11. That was the age at which I was biologically ready for sex. Yet I only had sex when I was 15 because that's when I met the person I knew I wanted to be my first.
Who am I to tell someone they can't have sex because they're "too young"? I had a friend who had sex when she was 12. She's totally fine, nothing bad happened. And I have friends who were 18 and are totally messed up.
It's all relative, completely dependant on the person. This is why I think it's important to make sure people feel comfortable with their bodies, so that whatever age their ready, it will be right for THEM.
Well it was a joke. Most father's instinctively would prefer their daughters to wait as long as possible.Hollybaby said:
But what isn't a joke is that when you're a young teenager you rarely have the maturity to have a proper perspective on the long term consequences of having sex encounters. But I do agree education is the key.
Marvin, how can you speak for every 12 year old? Some are ready and some are not! It's as simple as that.
Those laws are NOT about protecting people. We have laws that do just that already. Rape is illegal. Sexual harrassment is illegal. Just because someone has sex at a young age, it doesn't mean any harm was involved. And if there was, then we already have other laws in place to deal with that.
By having an age of consent, we end up punishing people for doing nothing wrong, as well as the people who do something wrong. And I think that's awful.
Those laws are NOT about protecting people. We have laws that do just that already. Rape is illegal. Sexual harrassment is illegal. Just because someone has sex at a young age, it doesn't mean any harm was involved. And if there was, then we already have other laws in place to deal with that.
By having an age of consent, we end up punishing people for doing nothing wrong, as well as the people who do something wrong. And I think that's awful.
The age of consent in place as a defence
Sexual Offences
Consent no defence
150.1 (1) Where an accused is charged with an offence under section 151 or 152 or subsection 153(1), 160(3) or 173(2) or is charged with an offence under section 271, 272 or 273 in respect of a complainant under the age of fourteen years, it is not a defence that the complainant consented to the activity that forms the subject-matter of the charge.
I think Hollybaby should read the legislation, then think about how it is applied.Hollybaby said:
Sexual Offences
Consent no defence
150.1 (1) Where an accused is charged with an offence under section 151 or 152 or subsection 153(1), 160(3) or 173(2) or is charged with an offence under section 271, 272 or 273 in respect of a complainant under the age of fourteen years, it is not a defence that the complainant consented to the activity that forms the subject-matter of the charge.
Well here's another perspective. I had an employee who had four kids. Her parents were killed in a car accident so she had her first kid at 13, she was a grandmother before she reached the age of 30. I spend countless hours chatting with her about the difficulty she had raising kids when she herself was a kid during most of the time. If she's to be believed it was a hellish experience. Never enough time or money for the basics like food, rent, etc.Hollybaby said:
But I doubt laws themselves would have any effect on these issues.
No, it is not as simple as that and I wasn't speaking for every 12 year old. You fail to understand that laws are not perfect for every citizen.Hollybaby said:
Using your logic, what percentage of 12 year olds do you think are ready to be sexually active? Not physically, but rather mentally?
I am dying to hear your answer.
Oh, and you didn't confirm whether or not you were the one who voted for no age of consent.
Marvin, I am aware that consent is not a defense. What does that have to do with everything?
I don't understand why I'm being slammed by everyone here.
My belief is that people are ready for sex at different ages. I think it's not ok to impose rules on people governing their sexual behaviour. This applies to prostiution, gays, age of consent.
The only time where I think the government should interfere is if there is harm being done, or if there is a law that can prevent harm. Which is why I keep bringing up the laws about rape and sexual harrassment.
I don't think these laws are necessary given that we have other laws. I think it's just people being uncomfortable with sex in general, and not being able to understand that young people have sexuality.
Do you think I'm advocating 12 year olds having sex? I'm not. I'm advocating people having sex (SAFELY) when they're ready and with the partner they want to be with. For some that could be 12, for some, it could be 22.
I don't remember who it was that said a 12 year old can't understand the consequences of sexual activity. Do you really think 12 year olds are any more stupid than a 16 yr old? They teach about pregnancy and STDs in school when kids are like, 10 years old.
I think it's really unfair how people try to control other people's sexual behaviour. I don't think it's anyone else's business.
And the argument about "if you had a kid of your own.." is really dumb. That would mean that a man can't have an opinion on abortion because he doesn't have a uterus. That means I can't have an opinion on hitting children as a means of discipline because I don't have children of my own. Etc.
Of course I've thought about how I would feel if it was my child. I wouldn't want my child to be told that he is too young or too old for this or that. I would want him to do what he felt was right, and safe, with my full support behind him.
I don't understand why I'm being slammed by everyone here.
My belief is that people are ready for sex at different ages. I think it's not ok to impose rules on people governing their sexual behaviour. This applies to prostiution, gays, age of consent.
The only time where I think the government should interfere is if there is harm being done, or if there is a law that can prevent harm. Which is why I keep bringing up the laws about rape and sexual harrassment.
I don't think these laws are necessary given that we have other laws. I think it's just people being uncomfortable with sex in general, and not being able to understand that young people have sexuality.
Do you think I'm advocating 12 year olds having sex? I'm not. I'm advocating people having sex (SAFELY) when they're ready and with the partner they want to be with. For some that could be 12, for some, it could be 22.
I don't remember who it was that said a 12 year old can't understand the consequences of sexual activity. Do you really think 12 year olds are any more stupid than a 16 yr old? They teach about pregnancy and STDs in school when kids are like, 10 years old.
I think it's really unfair how people try to control other people's sexual behaviour. I don't think it's anyone else's business.
And the argument about "if you had a kid of your own.." is really dumb. That would mean that a man can't have an opinion on abortion because he doesn't have a uterus. That means I can't have an opinion on hitting children as a means of discipline because I don't have children of my own. Etc.
Of course I've thought about how I would feel if it was my child. I wouldn't want my child to be told that he is too young or too old for this or that. I would want him to do what he felt was right, and safe, with my full support behind him.
Hollybaby, I applaud your insistence to what you believe in and agree that everyone would be ready to have sex at a different time in their lives. I do not however agree that generally speaking a 12 year old is mentally as capable as a 16 year old to accept the consequences and risks of being sexually active.Hollybaby said:
"...once again there is an exemption for kids close to the same age to have sex without fear of legal reprecussions."
Exactly.
Holly these laws are not meant to protect children from each other - so much as to protect children from adults.
You project a very narrow and naive view of our world - they did a study on internet chatting, and quite frequently found 40 yr old men posing as 15 yr olds - chatting it up with 12-15 yr old girls - so as to meet up with them to have sex.
Holly I would love to live in your world where there are no perverts, but unfortunately the world I live in - has plenty of em.
Furthermore...
I cannot think of one harmful situation for a boy or a girl - by raising the age of consent from 14 to 16.
Exactly.
Holly these laws are not meant to protect children from each other - so much as to protect children from adults.
You project a very narrow and naive view of our world - they did a study on internet chatting, and quite frequently found 40 yr old men posing as 15 yr olds - chatting it up with 12-15 yr old girls - so as to meet up with them to have sex.
Holly I would love to live in your world where there are no perverts, but unfortunately the world I live in - has plenty of em.
Furthermore...
I cannot think of one harmful situation for a boy or a girl - by raising the age of consent from 14 to 16.
I was waiting for a reply like chili's
Holly, no one is sayin that at 15 you shouldn't have sex if you feel you are ready. We are saying, that at 15, you shouldn't be having sex with ADULTS.
I started having sex at 15 too, and was with someone who was a minor as well. We knew we had to wear a condom, but we didn't know much else.
If an adult aproached a 15 year old, and wanted to have sex with her, he could take advantage of the fact that "she didn't know much else". For example: He could tell her that she had to do anal, that was the way adults did it, and this could turn out to be a VERY bad experience for a 15 year old.
I knew a girl, who when she was 14 met and fell in love with a 35 year old. Her mom thought he was tryin to be a father figure for her... she would spend a lot of time with him. Alone. He told her to shave her pussy and call him daddy.
When her mom found out what was going on, there was nothing she could do. 14 was the legal age of consent. Her daughter was being molested by a pervert, and at 14... whatever your mom tells you NOT to do, you do... Pretty horrible thought.
Putting the age up to 16 doesn't take away the right of a 15 year old to have sex.... It protects the 15 year olds from Adults. It give the parents a right to step in and press charges if it IS happening.
I'm all for the age of consent to be 16 or older even.
Holly, no one is sayin that at 15 you shouldn't have sex if you feel you are ready. We are saying, that at 15, you shouldn't be having sex with ADULTS.
I started having sex at 15 too, and was with someone who was a minor as well. We knew we had to wear a condom, but we didn't know much else.
If an adult aproached a 15 year old, and wanted to have sex with her, he could take advantage of the fact that "she didn't know much else". For example: He could tell her that she had to do anal, that was the way adults did it, and this could turn out to be a VERY bad experience for a 15 year old.
I knew a girl, who when she was 14 met and fell in love with a 35 year old. Her mom thought he was tryin to be a father figure for her... she would spend a lot of time with him. Alone. He told her to shave her pussy and call him daddy.
When her mom found out what was going on, there was nothing she could do. 14 was the legal age of consent. Her daughter was being molested by a pervert, and at 14... whatever your mom tells you NOT to do, you do... Pretty horrible thought.
Putting the age up to 16 doesn't take away the right of a 15 year old to have sex.... It protects the 15 year olds from Adults. It give the parents a right to step in and press charges if it IS happening.
I'm all for the age of consent to be 16 or older even.
