When do children become adults?

[john23]

There is an economic reason for age of consent

The economic reason is that its truly difficult for someone under 18 to survive in the job market today even if they get a job. Heck, its hard even if you are over 18 for many people. So I'd be very strict about this in relation to work. There really should be consideration of the context of the discussion when considering what age of consent should be.

I'd agree with the sentiment that we really need to be careful about this stuff and would not object if this thread got deleted too.

Remember, just fooling around with your friends when you are underage is a long way away from having to do something when you are underage because you haven't had anything to eat that day (believe me I've met older SPs who've gone through that - not fun). We need to remember the context we are in when discussing this topic - if we discuss it at all. People outside of perb would probably take the topic the wrong way.

It was encouraging to see that the majority of voters on the earlier poll on age of consent wanted it raised to 16 or 18. I think that was really positive.

 

[shapeshifter]

Are you telling me to find the posts that have dissappeared? Might as well tell me to go find a live specimen of the Dodo bird.

Just as I suspected you dont actually read and comprehend anyone elses post

I guess I found a DODO bird because if you had read my posts you would know that I had no trouble whatsoever finding and reading the "deleted posts" and the rest are as close as a click of the search function

 

[shapeshifter]

It was encouraging to see that the majority of voters on the earlier poll on age of consent wanted it raised to 16 or 18. I think that was really positive.

Agreed!

 

[luv-em-n-lv-em]

I'd agree with the sentiment that we really need to be careful about this stuff and would not object if this thread got deleted too.

I think people should be careful about their actions. But if we "adults" need to sanitize the world of all questionable (to some) topics then I think we are going down a bad path. If people have logical arguments for or against let them put them forward and we can discuss them.

Or are you one of the people who support Sam Sullivan in his quest to uphold all bylaws regardless of the circumstances (versus long-term Falun Gong protest site in Vancouver)? You'd think he of all people would understand tolerance.

People outside of perb would probably take the topic the wrong way.

Most People outside of perb would probably take this whole place the wrong way.

It was encouraging to see that the majority of voters on the earlier poll on age of consent wanted it raised to 16 or 18

From the people who brought us abstinence.

 

[Sweetiepie]

Having quite a strong background in anthropology, I want to point out that its a popular misconception that so many cultures enable young people to make decisions for themselves. This is incorrect. Yes, people do marry and have sex at a young age in many traditional cultures BUT this is usually an arranged marriage and the couple lives under the same roof as their parents or in-laws after the marriage. Their work is also laid out for them by their parents or elders. Most of their life choices are made for them. Going against your parents plans would result in your being disowned. If anything, cross-cultural comparisons show that there IS very widespread recognition in traditional cultures that young people do NOT have the ability to make heavy decisions independently. Also, for those individuals who DO mature early, a major mark of that maturation is the willingness to postpone your gratification. So, if you truly are a mature young person, its not a big deal to respect customs and laws that require you to wait to vote, drive a car, etc.

 

[john23]

I think people should be careful about their actions. But if we "adults" need to sanitize the world of all questionable (to some) topics then I think we are going down a bad path. If people have logical arguments for or against let them put them forward and we can discuss them.

Sure I generally agree with what you are saying. Sometimes it makes sense to not keep a thread around in perpetuity as it increases the chances it might get misquoted.

Or are you one of the people who support Sam Sullivan in his quest to uphold all bylaws regardless of the circumstances (versus long-term Falun Gong protest site in Vancouver)? You'd think he of all people would understand tolerance.

Definitely not. I think he's bowing to outside pressure on that one.

Most People outside of perb would probably take this whole place the wrong way.

I don't know about that. Its definitely a new development to have such close communication between SPs and customers. I think it might change some people attitudes if it were better known - not that I'm about to make it better known.

From the people who brought us abstinence.

Or the rythm method: The game show approach to birth control.

 

[chilli]

"Chilli, I think you are the one that hasn't thought through Holly's post before you attacked her."

Sorry as you can tell I STRONGLY disagree. I have thought it thru, and maybe you haven't.

Unfortunately we have a very sick element in our society - and children/teens need to be protected.

I don't know who wrote this FAIRY TALE article nor do I care - it really doesn't matter - when you discuss matters like this you have to take into consideration that back then children and women really had no rights, they were treated like chattel.

So spousal abuse and child abuse was very common and ignored.

We live in a very different time.

Thank god.

Now we have laws to protect children and women from predators.

and that's what they are PREDATORS.

You sir and Holly are in deniel or very ignorant.

 

[Hollybaby]

You sir and Holly are in deniel or very ignorant.

What am I in denial of? I strongly support laws that criminalize coerced sex or abuse of any kind.

 

[Horn_dawg]

...Now we have laws to protect children and women from predators.

and that's what they are PREDATORS.

You sir and Holly are in deniel or very ignorant.

Ahhh, did you even read thru my post? See quote:

First of all, I want to say that having a defined age where one becomes an adult (and thus all the things legally an adult can do) is a good thing, even though it is an arbitrary and artificial definition. I will get back to this point shortly.
......
The societal differences are what led to difference in definition of adulthood around the world, and difference between individuals is precisely why an arbitrary (but consistent within a given society) definition of adulthood is necessary. It is a comprimise, but a necessary one to protect the young...

 

[georgebushmoron]

I think age makes no difference. You are a child unless you can prove otherwise in your decisions completely without adult influence.

For example, if you murder someone.... it doesn't matter if you are 9 years old, if you can carry out that crime without someone directing you to do so, you're an adult.

If you are 50 and no one takes you seriously because you're still an immature idiot, you're a child and probably needs someone to make rational decisions for you (cuz you'll fuck up the remainder of your life otherwise).

By law they should do the same thing. For all practical purposes they almost do anyway. If you are 50 and can't handle your finances to the point you screw up your credit, no one will loan you money cuz they figure you're not responsible enough. As for a kid who commits murder, the law should be automatically to adult court. None of this kiddy court bullshit.

It's true that very young people ought to be protected by law when it comes to predators. Not that they don't have the free will to give consent, but they don't have the life experience to know the consequences of their decisions. So as far as very young people are concerned, they should again treat them like children unless they prove otherwise (but proving otherwise is not possible because they are too young).

 

[Rod Steel]

Children become adults when they grow up. Unfortunately some kids may never grow up.