Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - should we re-think age limits?

Jozrael · 07-06-2009, 03:02 PM

I guess the 'dude/myfriends/etc.' thing is very subjective, cuz the other ones you listed don't bother me at all. I guess it's just cuz McCain iconized the 'my friends' phrase and left a terribly bad taste in my mouth because of it.

On topic!

I think some people will inherently do what is right...by -why is having sex before the age of majority wrong-. I think that's an incredibly subjective topic. On the one hand you have the religious folk who think it's wrong to do before marriage. I don't think their opinions are relevant to the law of when it is -legal- to have sex.

I don't think sex is inherently wrong, period. I think it's a natural, amazing human function. And I don't want to bar that from people based on age simply because some people think it's morally wrong.

The issue, I think, that you are focused on is the downsides of sex. It's a huge emotional investment, and can result in pregnancy/disease. Plus, there are sexual predators. These are valid points. However, again, I don't think it's my place to forbid people from having sex because I wasn't emotionally ready for it at a certain age...they may very well be. That leaves the risk of pregnancy/disease and predators as I think the only reasons for an age of consent.

I would be far more supportive of additional education along the pregnancy/disease front. Tbh, my education trained me well for it. I was realistically prepared ever since high school, and the basics in middle school. Perhaps moving those up a couple years to provide the tools for minors to understand sex better would be a wise choice.

Then, there is the issue of predators. As I said, that's tricky ground. While I don't support a 'anyone under age X cannot have sex' hard and fast rule, we must look to -protect- the minors from predatory adults. That's why I'm supportive of the laws in my state, which while more complex, more adequately address the issue of predators. Really, the age of consent in NJ is 12, but there are additional restrictions up til age 16 (and then a single one til 18). I think that's an ideal system, and very maturely dealt with.

I will never use the 'they'll do it anyway' argument...because I don't think there's anything wrong with them doing it. I'm not opposed to teenagers having sex. I'm adamantly for protection from predators and additional education, though.

I repeat myself ><. Sorry, just trying to make sure I addressed all of your points.

As far as breaking laws, I think we can all agree that we have great laws, but we also have unjust laws, stupid laws, unnecessary laws, and possibly even laws that violate the human rights of some of our citizens. Just creating a law to enforce an outdated mode of viewpoint (the religious right enforcing their SEX IS BAD message) is counterproductive and possibly even unconstitutional. Hence why I don't think there should be -any- punishment on the kids. The realities of pregnancy and disease enforced through vigorous education and cautioning parents with their well-meaning values should be enough deterrents, in my opinion.

07-06-2009, 03:02 PM	#60 (permalink)
Jozrael Junkie	I guess the 'dude/myfriends/etc.' thing is very subjective, cuz the other ones you listed don't bother me at all. I guess it's just cuz McCain iconized the 'my friends' phrase and left a terribly bad taste in my mouth because of it. On topic! I think some people will inherently do what is right...by -why is having sex before the age of majority wrong-. I think that's an incredibly subjective topic. On the one hand you have the religious folk who think it's wrong to do before marriage. I don't think their opinions are relevant to the law of when it is -legal- to have sex. I don't think sex is inherently wrong, period. I think it's a natural, amazing human function. And I don't want to bar that from people based on age simply because some people think it's morally wrong. The issue, I think, that you are focused on is the downsides of sex. It's a huge emotional investment, and can result in pregnancy/disease. Plus, there are sexual predators. These are valid points. However, again, I don't think it's my place to forbid people from having sex because I wasn't emotionally ready for it at a certain age...they may very well be. That leaves the risk of pregnancy/disease and predators as I think the only reasons for an age of consent. I would be far more supportive of additional education along the pregnancy/disease front. Tbh, my education trained me well for it. I was realistically prepared ever since high school, and the basics in middle school. Perhaps moving those up a couple years to provide the tools for minors to understand sex better would be a wise choice. Then, there is the issue of predators. As I said, that's tricky ground. While I don't support a 'anyone under age X cannot have sex' hard and fast rule, we must look to -protect- the minors from predatory adults. That's why I'm supportive of the laws in my state, which while more complex, more adequately address the issue of predators. Really, the age of consent in NJ is 12, but there are additional restrictions up til age 16 (and then a single one til 18). I think that's an ideal system, and very maturely dealt with. I will never use the 'they'll do it anyway' argument...because I don't think there's anything wrong with them doing it. I'm not opposed to teenagers having sex. I'm adamantly for protection from predators and additional education, though. I repeat myself ><. Sorry, just trying to make sure I addressed all of your points. As far as breaking laws, I think we can all agree that we have great laws, but we also have unjust laws, stupid laws, unnecessary laws, and possibly even laws that violate the human rights of some of our citizens. Just creating a law to enforce an outdated mode of viewpoint (the religious right enforcing their SEX IS BAD message) is counterproductive and possibly even unconstitutional. Hence why I don't think there should be -any- punishment on the kids. The realities of pregnancy and disease enforced through vigorous education and cautioning parents with their well-meaning values should be enough deterrents, in my opinion.