Age of Consent?

Question

So I am watching the dateline TV. Just like always this is a show where they entrap internet predators. These guys come in and they are busted and they are almost always contrite. I've noticed that if you bust some pot heads alot of the time they will argue that pot should/will be legal soon. How come none of the predators argue that the age of consent is too high? (not saying it is just saying you'd think some of them would try to use this as a defense)

SO is the age of consent correct? In the USA it's 18 but in Switzerland it's 14. Back when I was fifteen (in the seventies) there were plenty of girls my age EXTREMELY interested and aggresive about sex.

SO my question is (I suppose) What is the correct age for legal consent?

Answer 1

When it comes to consent, I guess its better to think of it in terms of difference of age between the two persons. For instance you wouldn't think nothing of it if a 26 yr old man fooled around with a 22 yr old girl. But what if an 18 yr old guy messed around with a 14 yr old girl?
That's were it gets tricky.

I think about it in terms of when a person reaches sexual maturity (which is usually 12 or 13) and when a person reaches mental maturity ( uh....35?...lol- no usually 16 or 17).
Honestly most kids are screwing around by the time they reach 16. Heck alot start even sooner.

In my opinion the age of consent should be modified as follows: 16 being the bear minimum, but there cant be more than a 5 year difference between the couple (that happens very often) and once you reach 18 you can screw your grandma's high school teacher if you want.

Answer 2

The age of consent in Ohio is 16, see the first two links below to verify. There is info on all 50 states, and even some other countries. The legal age to be married anywhere in the nation is 18, see the third link. Under extreme circumstances, Ohio females 16 and older can marry without parental consent IF the male IS over 18 and IF the judge allows it. You should know, this has happened only once in OH history, and the girl was only 2 months away from being 18, see the last link to confirm this.

Answer 3

The correct age for legal consent is what the laws in a country says. In Switzerland the age of consent is 14 is not a valid argument in the United States. For the US adulthood is reached at the age of 18 which is also our age of consent. If you live in the US the age of consent is 18. Just because girls and guys are hot to trot at the age of 14 does not make it ok for a 20, 30, 40 something etc guy/girl to have sex with a minor.

Answer 4

We coddle children. I won't be surprised to see it raised to age 21... then 25. Nobody is responsible for their decisions and actions. By raising the age to 25, even more people will be excused for the poor decisions they made.

There was a time when a 14 yo person was an adult. Today, it's 18. What changed? We became victims. We're all victims. You looked at me funny. I'm a victim. I'm going to sue. It's your fault.

Is an 18 yo really an adult? They are barred from many things: rental cars, strip clubs, alcohol, gambling. But oh yes, they can dance nude on a pole. Why? Today, the real age of consent is 21. That is the age when a person has full rights as a citizen.

Consider this. If a 17 and 364 day old has sex with an 18 yo, the 18 yo can go to jail. Wait one day. What changes? Nothing. Except no jail. Is that justice? But then, why is it legal for an 18 yo to be with a 75 yo? Isn't that far more abusive than 17 and 18? No sense.

Answer 5

I suppose this law is more about protecting those who are not ready for sex. When boys know you are old enough to legally have sex they expect that you will. I went to high school with a couple pregnant teenagers and while they thought they were old enough plenty of us were just not ready. As far as predators go some do want the age of consent lowered - what about the "Eight is too Late" contraversy a few years ago.

Answer 6

Correct Age for Legal Consent for sex?
That sounds more like a legal matter afterall ....

More like the answer to the question i just said (above) would be like not have sex at all until you a legally married with someone.. so i dont see why age would be a problom since u should waitin to have sex until ur married.lol

I Dont know sorry

Answer 7

I think it should be 19. As long as a kid is "school aged" that kid should have all the legal protection and legal incentive to not become pregnant while still in school.

Now, I know it won't make a huge difference, but it's the principle that's important. We make 18 year old high school seniors have a permission slip from their parents to go on a field trip, and a note to be excused from an absence. Why should we foist on them the very adult decision of when they're legally ready to have sex when they can't go to the bathroom without a hallpass?

Answer 8

Different states in the United States have different ages of consent. I think the correct age for legal consent could be different for everyone.

Answer 9

First of all, those entrapment shows aren't real; just a bunch of actors (and bad ones at that) paid to entertain a brain-dead television audience. I'll bet after the filming stops, those "perps" and "cops" get together at the local bar for a cold one to laugh at how they pulled another one over on a gullible viewing public. But I digress.

Seriously, I agree with the person who complained that we're coddled as a society. Biologically, we reach sexual maturity at around 12--girls mature a little faster than boys, but 12 is a good median number. Am I saying that it's okay for adults to have sex with 12-year-olds? Of course not, that's preposterous. But we should really learn to loosen up over these things, and stop trying to keep our offspring locked in a metaphorical cage. I know plenty of very mature acting teenagers who could, theoretically, handle adult relationships with their peers; and plenty of adults in their twenties or thirties who clearly should still be under their parents' care. Better, I think, for parents to rationally prepare their children for adulthood at as early an age as practicable-- while still allowing them room to grow at their own pace--then to try to protect them from the world, which is really impossible. Put another way, better to take the matter into your own hands than to let the world do it for you and permanently mess up your kids.