I know that children can consent. I was very sexual as a child, as well.
I think the real question is the ability for a child to cope with the intense emotional responsibility of a sexual relationship. How does an 8 year old (or even an 11 year old) negotiate a relationship with an adult? Coping with the possibilities of pregnancy, disease? Let alone the psychological affliction of heartbreak.
Or are we only considering the sexuality of children as a sexual novelty for adults to get off on?
Also, I don't recall a time, other than during the Victorian era in the West perhaps, where it was considered that women were not sexual creatures.
I think for these reasons it is not likely that modern society will be evolving towards one with total sexual freedom among children and adults. And the concept of consent, when it comes to children, cannot easily be subtracted from the equation. Children do not always clearly understand when they have a choice...especially when they are dealing with adults.
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Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus
PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce
Last edited by mixedmedia; 11-30-2007 at 06:03 AM..
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