What should the legal age of consent be?

[rexfelis]

What do you believe the legal age of sexual consent SHOULD be? And, what is it where you live?

 

[heterotic]

It was 14 when I was in Hawaii, not sure what it is here.

 

[Weird Harold]

What do you believe the legal age of sexual consent SHOULD be? And, what is it where you live?

You left off "None of the above."

I personally think that a "legal age of consent" is a stupid concept that ignores the fact that people mature physically and mentally at different rates. It's also an unwarranted intrusion of government into people's private lives.

Children and others can be "protected" from themselves and others without drawing an artificial line that bears no resemblance to real world maturity.

 

[rexfelis]

I think it's 14 in Hawaii and Maine.

I know it's 18 in Florida.

 

[Fly_On_Wall]

18 is average, that's I'd say a good age.

it's 14 where i live but I still say 18 is a good age.

 

[rexfelis]

Re: Re: What should the legal age of consent be?

You left off "None of the above."

I personally think that a "legal age of consent" is a stupid concept that ignores the fact that people mature physically and mentally at different rates. It's also an unwarranted intrusion of government into people's private lives.

Children and others can be "protected" from themselves and others without drawing an artificial line that bears no resemblance to real world maturity.

I left off "None of the above" because I wanted to see if anyone would think outside the box.

But I really am interested in knowing what people thin should be the minimum age of consent.

 

[Shy Tall Guy]

Re: Re: What should the legal age of consent be?

I personally think that a "legal age of consent" is a stupid concept that ignores the fact that people mature physically and mentally at different rates. It's also an unwarranted intrusion of government into people's private lives.

Children and others can be "protected" from themselves and others without drawing an artificial line that bears no resemblance to real world maturity.

The age of consent protects the adult too; by letting those foolish enough to want to have sex with teenagers that there are consequences to their actions.

I voted for 16 because that is what the law says in most states and because I know that a lot of teenagers are going to be sexually active by then, and I would hate to see some 17-21 year old go to jail for being immature and having sex with someone a year or two younger than them.

Personally I would not have sex with someone under 20 because I think they need at least 2 years out on their own to become an adult. Along those same lines, I do not think that teenagers should have sex before they are 20-21, and the more mature they are when they start having sex, the better.

I believe the federal age of consent is 18 - but you have to cross state lines for that to go into effect.

 

[Weird Harold]

Re: Re: Re: What should the legal age of consent be?

The age of consent protects the adult too; by letting those foolish enough to want to have sex with teenagers that there are consequences to their actions.

I believe the federal age of consent is 18 - but you have to cross state lines for that to go into effect.

According to the UCMJ, the age of consent is 16 or the local age if higher. I believe that's based on the federal standard.

Note, I said "protect children and others" in my initial post. However, the current age of consent laws do NOT protect adults, they put adults at risk of incarceration if an underage person can successfully mimic an adult.

Perhaps a "license to consent to sex" would be a better idea. You could make everyone eligible to test for their license at puberty, and make it illegal for anyone to have sex with anyone who hasn't passed the test.

 

[Texan]

In Texas, the legal age of consent is 18, but the "adult" must be at least three years older than the "minor" for there to be a violation.

The legal age of consent will never prevent kids from fooling around, it is just intended to prevent kids from being taken advantage of by someone older. That being the case, I think the age should be a bit younger at around 16.

 

[Juspar Emvan]

16 is the legal age where I grew up, but for some reason there is no age for huys unless it's anal, or so I heard. It's probably not too far wrong, but as STG said people mature at different rates. When I was 17 I had a g/f who was 13, and she was physically and mentally ready. Damn shame my morals got in the way really. I voted 17, 'cause I'm a bit conservative, but 18 is just too late. Hormones need release.

 

[rexfelis]

Re: Re: Re: What should the legal age of consent be?

The age of consent protects the adult too; by letting those foolish enough to want to have sex with teenagers that there are consequences to their actions.

I voted for 16 because that is what the law says in most states and because I know that a lot of teenagers are going to be sexually active by then, and I would hate to see some 17-21 year old go to jail for being immature and having sex with someone a year or two younger than them.

Personally I would not have sex with someone under 20 because I think they need at least 2 years out on their own to become an adult. Along those same lines, I do not think that teenagers should have sex before they are 20-21, and the more mature they are when they start having sex, the better.

I believe the federal age of consent is 18 - but you have to cross state lines for that to go into effect.

Very interesting!

 

[Juspar Emvan]

In Texas, the legal age of consent is 18, but the "adult" must be at least three years older than the "minor" for there to be a violation.

The legal age of consent will never prevent kids from fooling around, it is just intended to prevent kids from being taken advantage of by someone older. That being the case, I think the age should be a bit younger at around 16.

Now that sounds remarkably sound.

 

[Shy Tall Guy]

Re: Re: Re: Re: What should the legal age of consent be?

According to the UCMJ, the age of consent is 16 or the local age if higher. I believe that's based on the federal standard.

'The “Mann Act” is a federal law that prohibts the transportation of individuals younger than the age of 18 in interstate or foreign commerce with the intent that the individual engage in prostitution or any sexual activity. The Mann Act is the primary federal law that makes child prostitution a federal offense. '

This applies whether the adult crosses the state line or the person under 18 crosses the line, and it applies to any sexual activity:

18 USC 2422
Coercion and enticement. Prohibits enticing, persuading, inducing, etc. any person to travel across a state boundary for prostitution or for any sexual activity for which any person may be charged with a crime.

18 USC 2423
Transportation of minors. Prohibits transporting a minor across state lines for prostitution or any sexual purpose for which any person may be charged with a crime.

Travel with intent to engage in a sexual act with a juvenile. Prohibits traveling in interstate or foreign commerce for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with a person younger than 18 years of age.

18 USC 2243
Sexual abuse of a minor or ward. This criminalizes assaults on children and youth on federal property, airliners, etc.

Perhaps a "license to consent to sex" would be a better idea. You could make everyone eligible to test for their license at puberty, and make it illegal for anyone to have sex with anyone who hasn't passed the test.

That would work about as well as any other attempt to get teenagers to refrain from having sex - it would fail miserably.

The best way to get people to make wise decisions is to educate them; teach them how to think rationally, and give them the info they need to make decisions.

 

[EthiopianPrince]

www.ageofconsent.com

I believe this gives age of consent for all 50 states and several foreign countries. Some of the ages are shockingly low.

 

[WriterDom]

In Texas, the legal age of consent is 18, but the "adult" must be at least three years older than the "minor" for there to be a violation.

The legal age of consent will never prevent kids from fooling around, it is just intended to prevent kids from being taken advantage of by someone older. That being the case, I think the age should be a bit younger at around 16.

I agree with Texan and like the two tier consent based on age. But sadly, many 13 and 14 year olds are sexually active.

 

[nasty]

Where I live, I think it's 18. To be honest, I think this has more to do with maturity, than age. Just because it's 18 in NY, that doesn't mean the parties are mature enough to accept the responsibility of their actions.

 

[SweetBrat73]

I voted for 18.


Where I live legal age of concent is 18 for girls and 16 for boys.


Brat

 

[rexfelis]

Some of these responses are very interesting and informative. Thanks, guys!

 

[sexy-girl]

i think it should be 16 but the adult shoudlnt be older then 3 years till the age of 18

that way dont have 40 yr olds having sex with 16 yr olds which is wrong in my opinion ... also wouldnt be an excuse for a 40 yr old having sex with a 15/14 yr old and saying "i thought she was 16"


also for gays the ages of consent should be the same

 

[Weird Harold]

... also wouldnt be an excuse for a 40 yr old having sex with a 15/14 yr old and saying "i thought she was 16"


also for gays the ages of consent should be the same

Having been the father of a 14 yo daughter that could have passed for 21 (both in appearance and attitude,) it's that "I thought she was legal" problem that I object to about an arbitrary age of consent. It puts an unrealistic burden of age verification on anyone who picks up a woman in a bar or social situation that can cause an innocent encounter to land someone in jail for "child abuse."

I do agree that a legal ability to consent should be an ability to consent to anything -- Sex is Sex, regardless of the gender of the participants.

 

[Andreina]

whenever they feel ready for it... it is 14 from where i come from and we don't have a particular problem with that in any sense.

 

[Sorsha]

i think its like 16 here.