Legal age for consensual sex being lowered to 12

[AdamR]

There was a case recently where a 15 year old boy was convicted of downloading images of naked females apparently under the age of 16 years. He was placed on the sex offenders register. The images were of females his own age. Is he a pervert for doing this? I think not.
Gore.

Read about a case in the States where a 16 year old girl took some photos of herself in 'compromising' positions and posted them on the net. She was then arrested for distribution of child pornography... madness.

I think the age of consent should stay the same but kids should be educated in a different way. As it stands little sprogs (Jesus, I sound like such a fogey, and I'm only 17!) are handed out condoms and morning after pills like sweeties, this has to stop as it only encourages them to shag like rabbits. If they get taught about abstinance and such like then the message will stick until they're ready for it. It seems to have worked in the US, cut teen pregnancy and what not, although it seems now that while they don't go and have proper nookie they do all the other stuff so they still get landed with the clap/AIDS/Syphilis.

[Sticky Blue]

Sixteen is old enough... figure it out; the speed limit is 70, how many drive at 80? Most of us. The legal age of consent is 16 and there are 14 year olds having babies. Lower the age to 12 and god only knows what will happen. My daughter is 13 and god forbid she starts playing hide the sausage, I'll kill her, and him!
Although the STDs are unlikely at that young age, it is possible, although not a great worry of mine. It is the unwanted babies, burden on the children and society, lost education and the general trouble caused to the families of all parties.

[Kanadiana]

[quote="Peds"]Right, if you have all stopped foaming at the mouth, I will further explain myself - but first of all:

I would thank you for reading some of my old posts - when I was a prominent, regular member of this Forum. They may give you a bit more of an idea of who I am.
The nickname "Peds" originated as such - Peter, in Spanish, is Pedro. A slight permutation of Pedro is Pedders. An abbreviation of Pedders is Peds. NOT what some of you were thinking.

Thankyou for your time, Peds
------------

Thanks for clearing that up regards your nickname PEDS ... PEDDERS. Got it. It wasn't hard to wonder what the PEDS meant combined with your post and topic and never having seen your name before.... (but I guess if I'd been thinking clearly I would have looked to see when you joined the forum etc. BEFORE replying) I wanted to find out if you were just some sort of out-of-the-blue "in your face stir 'em up kinda guy" or not. Your post left the impression thats what it was looking like.

This whole issue of lowering the age of consent raises a lot of issues about the open doors to abuse and pedophiles and the impact this could have on the KIDS ... especially longterm impact, which would hit physically, mentally, socially, medically and financially at all levels. It would hit the kid ... who one day will be an "adult" in the eyes of the world and courts ... and so forth.

Many abused/violated kids grow up to be very messed up mentally and behaviorally, PTSD is rampant amongst kids and adults because they suffered at the hands of pedophiles and the welfare, medical and disability, legal, including policing costs, would rise rise rise along with the poverty that usually goes with all this stuff. The costs are already astronomical and it takes money to deal with and help these kids... "forever sometimes"... there isn't enough money now in any country that I know of to cover the costs of dealing with all the possibilities. Already, there isn't enough money to police and try and protect the kids or the people victimized by acting out behavior.

what age is appropriate for "true consentual sex"? Well ... in my mind, the only realistic answer seems to be "depends on the kid and who the partner is and the agenda involved" Readiness varies with each individual ... in my mind 12 seems to be too young for many reasons. And really, it seems like there are a whole lot more realistic reasons against this young an age, than there are for.

When consenting these kids can end up paying consequences they aren't ready for ... mentally or physically. And financially. I think all the reasons it seems like a bad idea to lower the age to 12 have been said, and said well by many in here.

I, myself, wouldn't lower the age for all the reasons mentioned in my replies in here. It doesn't make sense and can benefit no one and hurt many, especially the kids. I'd keep this door shut.

Kanadiana