How young is too young?

[Hooper]

Interesting thread colin.

Also a child really can't consent to a sexual act as they do not fully comprehend the act and it's ramifications

I think that point actually applies to anybody who is new to sex... i think that would apply equally well to a 25 year old virgin.

While i dont disagree that lines certainly need to be drawn, the laws are just plain silly.

How about this.

A 28 year old boy with a 19 year old girl.
An 18 year old boy with a 17 year old girl.
An 18 year old boy with a 16 year old girl.
An 18 year old boy with a 15 year old girl.
An 18 year old boy with a 14 year old girl.
A 17 year old boy with a 13 year old girl.
A 17 year old boy with a 12 year old girl.

Clearly we start violating what is right when we hit a 17 with a 12 year old right? Or do we? I mean.. it's legal. But one cant really argue that a 12 year old girl has a level of maturity equal to or even close to that of a 17 year old boy... but it's legal. But the 18 year old boy and the 17 year old girl? They are so close in age and maturity (in fact likely the girl is far more mature)... but the boy could be arrested for that one. And the age difference is tremendous between the 28 and 19 year old but everybody is an "adult".

What really offends people isnt age differences.. it's when one person takes advantage of another person in a predatory way. If you can find a way to make that illegal i'll vote for it.. but then you'll have to shut down every bar in america where men buy women drinks and say " i love you" to get some one night nookie.

I dont like laws that regulate sexuality. Parents should monitor who their children hang out with and teach them about sex and responsibility before they have an opportunity to get involved with the wrong people.. and in the end, sex is a big part of our humanity... whether it's pretty or not.