Anyone know why?

[AlienLover]

OK Ok

Well, after doing some research I found out I was wrong. In every state I lived in America, there were no laws against it. Of course, it has been many years since I lived in America.

As a few of you pointed out, some states do have laws against it. wow. That was enlightening.

sr71plt, I was ABSOLUTELY not challenging the website.

I asked 2 things, if it was moral decision then that is fine or if it was legal decision then that is fine. I know internet can attract more laws. For example: You can do face to face gambling in some states, you can do face to face academic competition for money (I did this a lot when I was 14-23), but with internet then it becomes illegal to do face to face academic competitions for money. That is the most craziest thing I heard of (I wanted to create an academic competition where students paid 1-2 dollars to enter and won a few thousands for college scholarship) but had to scrap the idea because of American laws even though both the Las Vegas Commission on Gambling and the European Commission said academic competitions are not gambling but it didn't matter.

I had a few friends who were police officers and they told me no laws exists for under 18 teens, so maybe they were speaking for their jurisdiction only and I MISTAKENLY thought they meant anywhere.

So, I do apologize for my mistake. Even if I PERSONALLY think the law is crazy (especially if the two same age teens are in love, not that I ever had a chance - hehe), laws are laws.

Thanks everyone.

 

[xelliebabex]

I just wanted to mention that when dealing with the internet things like age of consent become a Federal issue rather than state issue as the internet crosses state lines and national boundaries.

Age of consent is the age when law considers a person mature enough to agree to having sex. In the United States, the federal age of consent is 18.[1] States have ages between 16 and 18.

Being that this site is based in the USA I would say that is the reason you were looking for. Not moral or ethical just plan legislation.

In the USA this is policed by a Task-force within the FBI and in my country there is a Task-force called Argos both are closely linked with similar task forces from other countries within Interpol to investigate exploitation of persons under the age of 18 because what is published on the internet is not subject to state laws in any given country but rather Federal laws that are closely linked to the United Nations Convention of Children's Rights and the International legislation held within it.

I think most western countries will find their federal law will say 18 regardless of state law.

Long winded by simple answer to your original question.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Well, after doing some research I found out I was wrong. In every state I lived in America, there were no laws against it. Of course, it has been many years since I lived in America.

As a few of you pointed out, some states do have laws against it. wow. That was enlightening.

sr71plt, I was ABSOLUTELY not challenging the website.

I asked 2 things, if it was moral decision then that is fine or if it was legal decision then that is fine. I know internet can attract more laws. For example: You can do face to face gambling in some states, you can do face to face academic competition for money (I did this a lot when I was 14-23), but with internet then it becomes illegal to do face to face academic competitions for money. That is the most craziest thing I heard of (I wanted to create an academic competition where students paid 1-2 dollars to enter and won a few thousands for college scholarship) but had to scrap the idea because of American laws even though both the Las Vegas Commission on Gambling and the European Commission said academic competitions are not gambling but it didn't matter.

I had a few friends who were police officers and they told me no laws exists for under 18 teens, so maybe they were speaking for their jurisdiction only and I MISTAKENLY thought they meant anywhere.

So, I do apologize for my mistake. Even if I PERSONALLY think the law is crazy (especially if the two same age teens are in love, not that I ever had a chance - hehe), laws are laws.

Thanks everyone.

SR71PLT is our much beloved Principal Skinner. All knowing, all seeing, the font of all knowledge.

 

[oggbashan]

I live and write in the UK.

Here the legal age of consent is 16, and people of 16 can marry with parental consent.

I could write and post stories IN THE UK about love and sex between 16 year-olds and not break the law.

But I'm not posting in the UK. I am posting on Literotica which is a US-based site. Writing about sex between people under 18 is against the site owners' rules. I believe that is a very good rule to have for a US-based site, and it stops Literotica being inundated with stories that many people would find very offensive.

There are a number of organisations in the US, some religious, that take action against internet sites that portray sex between people who are, or even just appear to be, under 18. Some of those organisations are reasonable and proportionate, looking only for sites that encourage paedophilia. But others are more fanatical and would like to remove everything sexual from the internet. Under 18 sex gives them ammunition. Complaints from such groups could lead to successful prosecution, not just of the originator, but also the site owners. It could also lead to investigation of anyone who posts on Literotica because of guilt by association.

It is sensible to have a rule that says "No sex at all before 18" and try to enforce it as vigorously as possible - because it protects all of us who are active on Literotica.

But the owners aren't infalliable and all-seeing. If you come across a story that includes sex under the age of 18, or that you think is written to imply that the person is under 18, then use the "Report Story" button to tell the owners - please. That will help protect Literotica from those who want to destroy it.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Well, after doing some research I found out I was wrong. In every state I lived in America, there were no laws against it. Of course, it has been many years since I lived in America.

As a few of you pointed out, some states do have laws against it. wow. That was enlightening.

sr71plt, I was ABSOLUTELY not challenging the website.

I asked 2 things, if it was moral decision then that is fine or if it was legal decision then that is fine. I know internet can attract more laws. For example: You can do face to face gambling in some states, you can do face to face academic competition for money (I did this a lot when I was 14-23), but with internet then it becomes illegal to do face to face academic competitions for money. That is the most craziest thing I heard of (I wanted to create an academic competition where students paid 1-2 dollars to enter and won a few thousands for college scholarship) but had to scrap the idea because of American laws even though both the Las Vegas Commission on Gambling and the European Commission said academic competitions are not gambling but it didn't matter.

I had a few friends who were police officers and they told me no laws exists for under 18 teens, so maybe they were speaking for their jurisdiction only and I MISTAKENLY thought they meant anywhere.

So, I do apologize for my mistake. Even if I PERSONALLY think the law is crazy (especially if the two same age teens are in love, not that I ever had a chance - hehe), laws are laws.

Thanks everyone.

I want to congratulate you and welcome you to the AH and Lit. It isn't easy admitting that you may have been mistaken.

Welcome and you're welcome.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I live and write in the UK.

Here the legal age of consent is 16, and people of 16 can marry with parental consent.

I could write and post stories IN THE UK about love and sex between 16 year-olds and not break the law.

But I'm not posting in the UK. I am posting on Literotica which is a US-based site. Writing about sex between people under 18 is against the site owners' rules. I believe that is a very good rule to have for a US-based site, and it stops Literotica being inundated with stories that many people would find very offensive.

There are a number of organisations in the US, some religious, that take action against internet sites that portray sex between people who are, or even just appear to be, under 18. Some of those organisations are reasonable and proportionate, looking only for sites that encourage paedophilia. But others are more fanatical and would like to remove everything sexual from the internet. Under 18 sex gives them ammunition. Complaints from such groups could lead to successful prosecution, not just of the originator, but also the site owners. It could also lead to investigation of anyone who posts on Literotica because of guilt by association.

It is sensible to have a rule that says "No sex at all before 18" and try to enforce it as vigorously as possible - because it protects all of us who are active on Literotica.

But the owners aren't infalliable and all-seeing. If you come across a story that includes sex under the age of 18, or that you think is written to imply that the person is under 18, then use the "Report Story" button to tell the owners - please. That will help protect Literotica from those who want to destroy it.

Ogg,

The age of consent here in the US in most of it's states is also 16 and with the consent of parents these children are allowed to marry. They are also allowed to have sex with each other and in some cases adults, those over the age of 18.

But, in most peoples minds, especially those in the so called bible belt of America, children are not supposed to have sex...ever. Not until they are adults...legally that is age 18, in the mind of those in the bible belt is should be 21.

It's funny here in the States as you are considered an adult at age 18, yet you can't drink alcohol until you are 21, in most states. At 18 you can have all the sex you want with another adult, which can have just as serious repercussions as drinking, yet you can't drink. Funny, huh?

 

[Recidiva]

Ogg,

The age of consent here in the US in most of it's states is also 16 and with the consent of parents these children are allowed to marry. They are also allowed to have sex with each other and in some cases adults, those over the age of 18.

But, in most peoples minds, especially those in the so called bible belt of America, children are not supposed to have sex...ever. Not until they are adults...legally that is age 18, in the mind of those in the bible belt is should be 21.

It's funny here in the States as you are considered an adult at age 18, yet you can't drink alcohol until you are 21, in most states. At 18 you can have all the sex you want with another adult, which can have just as serious repercussions as drinking, yet you can't drink. Funny, huh?

You can join the army at 17 with parental permission and learn what it is to kill people, but not have a drink.

 

[oggbashan]

Ogg,

The age of consent here in the US in most of it's states is also 16 and with the consent of parents these children are allowed to marry. They are also allowed to have sex with each other and in some cases adults, those over the age of 18.

But, in most peoples minds, especially those in the so called bible belt of America, children are not supposed to have sex...ever. Not until they are adults...legally that is age 18, in the mind of those in the bible belt is should be 21.

It's funny here in the States as you are considered an adult at age 18, yet you can't drink alcohol until you are 21, in most states. At 18 you can have all the sex you want with another adult, which can have just as serious repercussions as drinking, yet you can't drink. Funny, huh?

We in the UK find some US laws and cultural attitudes incomprehensible. The same is true of US people looking at the UK.

We had an interesting example a few years ago. One of our policemen, an ex-serviceman, moved to the US and wanted to join a Texas Police Department. There was a problem. He was married and had been for more than 10 years, but his wife had been 16, nearly 17, when they married. He had been just 18 by a few days. Their first child was conceived on their honeymoon while the wife was still 16.

He had to be given a 'pardon' for sex with a minor before he could join Law enforcement in Texas.

Alcohol Advice in ENGLAND (different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)

At what age can I legally drink alcohol and smoke?

The law on the age at which you can drink alcohol is complicated. Before the age of 18, you are not allowed to buy alcohol in pubs or shops, drink alcohol in pubs or outside in public places. It is also unlawful for anyone else to buy alcohol for you if you are under 18 and the drink will be consumed in a pub or public place.

However, if you're aged 16 or 17, you are allowed to drink wine, beer, or cider (but not other alcohol) with a meal in a restaurant, hotel or part of a pub set apart for eating meals. You can only do this if someone aged 18 or over is with you at the meal and buys the alcohol.

Any child aged five or over can drink alcohol at home or on other private premises but it is usually against the law to give alcohol to a child under five.

It's illegal to sell cigarettes, tobacco or cigarette papers to anyone under 18, but it is not a criminal offence for a person under 18 to smoke.


The bolded part above usually raises eyebrows in the US. It wasn't illegal a couple of decades ago to give alcohol to children under 5, and chemists (drug stores) used to sell 'Gripe Water' for distressed babies. Gripe Water was a very effective soother for upset babies - it had more alcohol content than strong lager - but was intended to be given in single 5ml spoonfuls. It was the successor to the Victorian era baby-soother - neat Gin!

 

[sr71plt]

It's not a legal issue to write about underage sex. It's in the mainstream books frequently, nor is it illegal to publish writing about it on the Internet. The laws that exist are about images involving real people, not writing. In terms of writing, it's about who it attracts--both those aroused by it and shopping and those outraged by it and rattling cages or researching further into the lives of those on the Web site to see what might be surfaced that's illegal--and what you want to be associated with.

This Web site has chosen not to play in that arena because of what comes with permitting underage stories. They tolerate stories about other illegal activities. They just aren't activities that have vigilantes associated with them.

 

[AlienLover]

sr71plt,
Thanks for that info. While I still can't believe (although I found it to be true) that sex between 2 15-year olds can be illegal in some states, I had a really hard time believing that writing about it was illegal. Your answer makes perfect sense.

Thanks!

 

[SecondCircle]

You can join the army at 17 with parental permission and learn what it is to kill people, but not have a drink.

Too very true.

 

[sr71plt]

Society needs cannon fodder more than it needs more drunks.

 

[SecondCircle]

Society needs cannon fodder more than it needs more drunks.

Harsh but true. But someone who drinks isn't always a drunk. What's funny is our cannon fodder like to drink, and some can't. That's when it seems odd. When the guy that fights can't drink.

 

[horrorotica]

Why do you need to write a story about two 15 yo's having sex anyway? I think it's sick. The fact you can't write a story about consenting adults shows poor skill as a writer.

 

[hoo_hoo_boo]

You can join the army at 17 with parental permission and learn what it is to kill people, but not have a drink.

We can drink at 18 but that is being reviewed because brains don't develop fully until they are 25. The review is with consideration to the age being made 21. The problem they are trying to address is the violence that accompanies alcohol consumption. Having seen what alcohol can do, eg, Wernecke's encephalopathy, Korsakoffs, liver cirrhosis, oesophageal varacies, etc, etc (= the list is nasty and seems never ending) I would support 21 being made the age but I don't know how it could be enforced. They can't enforce 18 as the age and 21 would equally be impossible. Prohibition has a reputation for not working. We'd love to sell our wine too- we have a glut of it at the moment. But we don't want to sell it to our own. It's simply too toxic, though our wine is unsurpassed in quality

I support the 18 rule- it's important and worth keeping.