28 replies to this topic

[RandomNameIgnoreIt]

I don't know about other countries, but here in the United States the age of consent varies from state to state, ranging from 14 to 18. Plus, each state can have special little rules for making exceptions, etc. The states can't even agree on it, despite the fact that it's the same issue universally, so clearly it's a tricky thing.

Multi-part question:

1) What is a proper age of consent?
2) Any special exceptions, or just one number, and that's it?
3) At how many years apart/what ages does it go from acceptable to inappropriate. Obviously a 40 year old and a 4 year old is wrong, but when does the line start to grey? Is 25 and 15 too much? 24 and 16? 23 and 17? 22 and 18? etc. When do we start going from obviously bad, to grey area, to obviously okay?

Edited by BrknPhoenix, 15 February 2006 - 04:14 PM.

[Mr. Hobo]

1) Depends, when you can accept the consenquences and risks that come with having sex that you should be able to have it.

2) #1 Covers that

3) That depends, for example: 35 year old and 40 year old = 5 year difference but okay. 16 year old and 21 year old = 5 year gap but not okay. I'd say your current age divided by 3 - 2ish should be the max difference before it's too big of a gap.

Edited by Toxic Hobo, 15 February 2006 - 04:24 PM.

[RandomNameIgnoreIt]

16 year old and 21 year old = 5 year gap but not okay. I'd say your current age divided by 3 - 2ish should be the max difference before it's too big of a gap.

21 / 3 = 7 - 2 = 5

You say 21 and 16 is not okay, but your math says it is That equation also says it's okay for a 15 year old (15 / 3 = 5 - 2 = 3) to have sex with a 12 year old.

I'm not trying to be picky or anything, just point out how hard such a thing is to determine using the numbers alone.

Edited by BrknPhoenix, 15 February 2006 - 04:30 PM.

[Mr. Hobo]

Whoops. Nevermind that equation then. I guess that the age difference varies from situation to situation so you have to use your better judgement.

[Mumei]

personally I see 16 as a good legal age of consent - however you've hit the nail on the head about grey areas

currently most countries have statutory rape for anyone over the age of consent sleeping with anyone under the age, I'm not sure I agree with that

I think it should be about informed consent

In the UK there is a legal term of informed consent, which basically means the person has the mental capacity and the maturity to make the desicion - I think this should be a better yard stick

but then there's the whole 40yo with a 14yo (even if they 14yo loves the older person) - that's just a whole book of wrong

it used to be legal to marry and have kids at 13 (pre-victorian) so physically some people are mature at that age, however does that mean we have the emotional ability to handle the relationships I'm not so sure

as many people can attest to, love knows no bounds when it comes to age, but without lines in the sand where are we?

It would be nice to think of a world where everyone didn't have sex until they were over 16, and their first time was because it was natural and loving - however the statistics just don't show that at all!!! (the under 16 single mum figures, the polls on underage sex and the underage STD figures all paint a different picture)

[Ives]

really, its a matter of maturity, which unfortunately we cannot concept too much by people. I'm pro 18 + because most people know what the hell theyre doing.

[sockopen]

Just to part 3 -> The 15% rule. 15% of the older persons age. 10 and 8 / 9 year olds fine, 25 and 28 year old is fine, 100 and 85 year old is fine, etc..

Anything exceeding my 15% rule is just disgusting, but then again people enjoy having sex with goats, and who am I to say 90 year olds shouldn't have sex with 5 year olds? *shudders*

Edited by sockopen, 15 February 2006 - 06:51 PM.

[SupermanFTM]

personally I see 16 as a good legal age of consent - however you've hit the nail on the head about grey areas

currently most countries have statutory rape for anyone over the age of consent sleeping with anyone under the age, I'm not sure I agree with that

I think it should be about informed consent

In the UK there is a legal term of informed consent, which basically means the person has the mental capacity and the maturity to make the desicion - I think this should be a better yard stick

but then there's the whole 40yo with a 14yo (even if they 14yo loves the older person) - that's just a whole book of wrong

it used to be legal to marry and have kids at 13 (pre-victorian) so physically some people are mature at that age, however does that mean we have the emotional ability to handle the relationships I'm not so sure

as many people can attest to, love knows no bounds when it comes to age, but without lines in the sand where are we?

It would be nice to think of a world where everyone didn't have sex until they were over 16, and their first time was because it was natural and loving - however the statistics just don't show that at all!!! (the under 16 single mum figures, the polls on underage sex and the underage STD figures all paint a different picture)

I agree with most of this, however the last part seems a bit misinformed. 57% of Teenagers 15-18 have NOT had sex, and 87% of teenagers 12-14 have not either. The majority has not had sex, and even on the survey presented, the age groups of 17 and 18 brought the 15 and 16 up substantially. 16 seems like a reasonable age of consent to me, as most people are fully aware, even if their desperation keeps them from being emotionally ready.

[Sakura]

Well, the problem is, its almost all grey, as everyone is different. That's why people have parents and conciences and don't depend entirely upon the government. There are 16 year olds that are ready but at the same time there are 30 year olds that still haven't grown up.

The best I could narrow it down to, is if you haven't had puberty yet, what in the hell are you doing having sex? Other than that...depends on the individual.

Also, even with the same number of years difference, there is (TYPICALLY) a larger gap between a 15/20 year old and a 30/35 year old. Once again, though, depends on the people.

[Freddy]

10 years max if both people over 25. not alright if 23, and 13. that would be weird

[Kimoflea]

My 18 year old friend is getting married to a 41 year old. It creeps me out. If they're old enough to be your dad (and aren't Johnny Depp or George Clooney) then it's just weird.

[Brad]

I'M TOO OLD FOR EVERYONE.
That includes people older then me.

I don't know, ask some of the girls here about how uncomfortable I am, just because of the age difference. I mean, I definately have issues with age differences that apparently I shouldn't.

[Brad]

*Raises an arm* He won't marry me.

No, see, the thing was... you were going to enslave people... and then...

*sigh*

[Brad]

Which means you lied to me. You told me it was because I was too young.

You're going to end up in the same year as me at university anyway.

Bu-who-wha-if...

*headdesk*

[Brad]

Hush.

*sigh*

[Kimoflea]

I thought you were just scared of breasts, Brad?

[Brad]

I thought you were just scared of breasts, Brad?

I got over that. That was a reminant from my more religious days. Now I have an age hangup.

[pyke]

I have a real problem with any girl younger then me...

[Icey Defeat]

Hm... im nearly 17, and my GF is 14. Thats like 3 years, which is I think pretty good difference.

[Kimoflea]

I'm not even going to ask how somebody can be scared of breasts. The answer would probably confuse me.

I kept trying to show him pictures of people in fetish outfits. He didn't enjoy it, I scared him.

[Ives]

My girlfriends like the same age. I'm a few months older, but whatever.

age differences of 7 and lower are fine for me in a 16+ (16+ being youngest) setting. anything over that is just a little creepy? :blink:

[Kimoflea]

I'm always up for someone a little bit older

[Dazz]

Go for blue from old school

[Freddy]

just for y'all's info the age of consent is 16

[Ives]

ranges from 12-20 or so.