emotionally mature enough to make the decision? Rather than saying "this is the age and thats that", which seems to be a too simple solution to a complicated problem. Life is never that easy and I feel that some people are unjustly punished. What guy here, whether he be 18 or in his 20s hasn't spotted a girl at the mall, and wondered, "is she 18?" We can't deny that girls that are younger than 18 look 18 and therefore are capable of getting a rise out of us guys, if you know what I mean. I can't help but feel when a girl gives consent then she's doing just that. giving CONSENT, meaning she knows what sex is and wants to do it, and if it goes bad then she moves on with her life, as most people do. It should be done case by case, like its obvious if a girl is physically appealing and also guage a girls emotional stability to subjects such as sex, then I see no reason why 14 on up shouldn't be legal if these conditions are met. It happens anyway, and with birth control, it's safer.
2007-05-28 22:32:38 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
No. The law was written that way for a purpose, and that purpose is to protect minors.
It is an absolute. Expressio unius est exclusio alterius (The express mention of one thing excludes all others). Items not on the list are assumed not to be covered by the statute. However, sometimes a list in a statute is illustrative, not exclusionary. This is usually indicated by a word such as "includes."
2007-05-28 23:08:22 · answer #1 · answered by Mark 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i want to answer your latter argument first that since birth control is in place therefore unwanted pregnancy may not occur but how about emotional pain? That certainly can't be measured or weighed. If were talking about condoms then yes that may be "safe" but how about those who go on the pill and still get pregnant? I think we ought to face it that sex under 18 is illegal not to mention regretable for most as there will always be a thinking that one could have done better. Do try to look back and think that if you would still have done the same stuff you did when you were underage and probably you'd like to change some things. Even being 18 doesn't guarantee anything
2007-05-29 05:49:42 · answer #2 · answered by meredith 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I don’t think that statutory rape laws should be based on how ‘mature’ the victim is. That’s entirely too subjective. What one person feels is ‘mature’ another may not.
The laws are very simple--it’s illegal to have sexual contact (of any type) with someone who is below the age of sexual consent. So, the way to avoid being charged with such a crime is not to have sexual contact with someone who is below the age of sexual consent. That is not complicated at all. In fact, it cannot get any more clear-cut than that.
And merely my personal opinion--anyone who thinks that a 14-year-old should be capable of consenting to sex is either very young and immature themselves or they have a fondness for little girls.
2007-05-29 09:06:31 · answer #3 · answered by kp 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. To get a case to trial is complicated enough, without then having to judge those subjective traits as maturity. Besides, "the girl looked mature to me" sounds like an easy defense by the guilty.
2007-05-29 05:44:44 · answer #4 · answered by epistemology 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nope. Used to be that way here. Lead to inconsistent sentencing. Statutory rape has dropped dramatically since a uniform age of consent was introduced.
2007-05-29 05:35:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. Teenagers are not adults & aren't at the age where they make decisions in their own best interests. Any male who dates someone underage is asking for trouble & should know better. I believe that they are taking advantage of the teenager's vulnerability & inexperience. They are also stupid; there's plenty of women of legal age.
2007-05-29 05:49:14 · answer #6 · answered by Judith 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋