The Age of Consent?

Kwesi · #1 03-27-2011, 09:36 PM

If this topic is inappropriate for TB, I completely understand in it being locked or deleted. I have looked over the rules specifically for the question I'm about to ask and think that it can be discussed reasonably and maturely without getting out of hand but, obviously, I'm not a mod. I understand the idea that "If you have to ask, it's probably not appropriate." but it was an interesting topic to say the least. This is the only forum that I participate in regularly and I don't think it would be the smartest thing to try and start this discussion on Facebook.

I was talking to a friend earlier today and, like we usually do, we somehow worked our way the topic of girls. We talked about how even in our lifetimes (we're both 20) we've noticed younger girls seem to look older and older and that the difference between a girl that was of age and one that was becoming more and more blurred. As we talked he lead me to ask this question:

"So, would you support a change of the age of consent to 13?"

...and he said yes, not because he was particularly attracted to younger girls but he believes that by thirteen most people understand not only what sex is but fully comprehend it's consequences. He argued that by that age you have the information necessary to make a proper and informed decision. I STONGLY disagreed and argued that there are quite a few people that don't even understand that in their 20s and I've seen them. I tried to look at it from an objective standpoint but it just wasn't making sense. At that age to let someone make that kind of decision seems like your taking advantage of their lack of experience. Not necessarily in relation to sex but just life itself. I was thirteen years old seven years ago and I can say that I've changed significantly between then and even sixteen. I also think that there are many people that would say the same for themselves as well.

The current age in my state is 16 and while it can seem arbitrary I think that for the most part, it's a good age. I do believe that there are plenty of people that understand what they're doing before that age there are likely many more that do not.

I'm not looking for advice on how to deal with my friend. That's something I'll worry about for myself. Rather, I'd like to hear others thoughts on this. The conversation did make me think despite my disagreement with his ideas.

basstotheface · #2 03-27-2011, 09:39 PM

I know plenty of 13 year old girls dating like 30ish men. It's pretty sick to me.

champbassist · #3 03-27-2011, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

I STONGLY disagreed and argued that there are quite a few people that don't even understand that in their 20s and I've seen them.

I agree with you there. That's the exact same thing I thought as soon as I saw your friend's statement regarding bringing down the age of consent.

Sometimes I feel like an Indian Kwesi

southernrocker · #4 03-27-2011, 09:42 PM

You need a new friend. This one may be in prison soon.

basstotheface · #5 03-27-2011, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southernrocker

You need a new friend. This one may be in prison soon.

His friend obviously doesn't want to have sex with 13 year old girls, he's ust dumb.

Kwesi · #6 03-27-2011, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southernrocker

You need a new friend. This one may be in prison soon.

I thought about just cutting him off the minute he said that but besides this he's a cool guy so I'm thinking it over. He's not a law breaker and I seriously doubt he would actually go for someone underage simply because I know his taste in women and. Add in the fact that it would make him a complete social outcast and he's in the "honesty is my policy" camp and it's practically guaranteed that he would touch a girl that young with a 10 foot pole.

southernrocker · #7 03-27-2011, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basstotheface

His friend obviously doesn't want to have sex with 13 year old girls, he's just dumb.

He doesn't want to yet, but he's keeping that option open.

Kwesi · #8 03-27-2011, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by champbassist

I agree with you there. That's the exact same thing I thought as soon as I saw your friend's statement regarding bringing down the age of consent.

Sometimes I feel like an Indian Kwesi

Haha, I want to sig this sooooo bad

!

Quote:

Originally Posted by southernrocker

He doesn't want to yet, but he's keeping that option open.

Ugh, I hope not

.

Stumbo · #9 03-27-2011, 09:55 PM

So it'd would be okay for a 60 y.o. guy to go out with your 13 y.o. daughter?

The brain continues development until 25-30 y.o. The Teen Brain | Harvard Magazine Sep-Oct 2008

While the body knows what to do, the mind does not comprehend the risks.

stevetx19 · #10 03-27-2011, 09:59 PM

yikes.

well, on one end of it, humans are biologically(in the physical, not mental, sense) ready for sex quite a bit earlier than the age of consent. We are asking a lot for someone to hold off as long as marriage or college in that sense.

However, i think the problem lies in access to information vs access to a trend/"cool." Perhaps we don't want to deny health information to those who seek it, but let's be clear- abercrombie, mtv, etc are the ones amping the need for sex earlier and earlier. Without that sort of advertiser influence, replaced instead by the wonderful role models we all claim to be (by being against a 13 yo age of consent), could kids just be kids for a few more years?

warwick.hoy · #11 03-27-2011, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stumbo

So it'd would be okay for a 60 y.o. guy to go out with this 13 y.o. daughter?

The brain continues development until 25-30 y.o. The Teen Brain | Harvard Magazine Sep-Oct 2008

While the body knows what to do, the mind does not comprehend the risks.

or what to do with it.

Kwesi · #12 03-27-2011, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stumbo

So it'd would be okay for a 60 y.o. guy to go out with this 13 y.o. daughter?

The brain continues development until 25-30 y.o. The Teen Brain | Harvard Magazine Sep-Oct 2008

While the body knows what to do, the mind does not comprehend the risks.

Well that would also be incest which is illegal in most states anyway and isn't something we talked about. But, on your second point I totally agree and said the same thing to him.

southernrocker · #13 03-27-2011, 10:00 PM

So, should the age of consent be raised? The age of consent is like the drinking age, people are gonna do it regardless of age. 13 is way to young for anything of that sort. and kids should play bass instead.

MakiSupaStar · #14 03-27-2011, 10:01 PM

My students are 13 years old. NO. They are not mentally developed enough to be healthily sexual active beyond masturbation. I can refer to several anecdotal stories of my students that have had their lives ruined by becoming sexually active at this age.

southernrocker · #15 03-27-2011, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

Well that would also be incest which is illegal in most states anyway and isn't something we talked about. But, on your second point I totally agree and said the same thing to him.

If it ain't family, it's not incest!

Kwesi · #16 03-27-2011, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southernrocker

If it ain't family, it's not incest!

You might want to re-read his example, lol.

southernrocker · #17 03-27-2011, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

You might want to re-read his example, lol.

So should you!

stevetx19 · #18 03-27-2011, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

You might want to re-read his example, lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by southernrocker

So should you!

champbassist · #19 03-27-2011, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

he would touch a girl that young with a 10 foot pole.

I don't think you should've used a 'pole' as an example

southernrocker · #20 03-27-2011, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by champbassist

I don't think you should've used a 'pole' as an example

YES! This is getting hairy! 13 year-old HAIRY!