[Backslash]

What do you think should be the legal age of consent?
I think 16, because it is common for someone at age 17 to have a sexual relationship, not necessarily at age 18.

[Seablue]

It's 15 in France. That's fine, in my opinion.

I should add that there can only be a prosecution if the age difference between the two partners is of more than 3 years. So, as far as I know, a 17yo wouldn't be prosecuted for sleeping with a 14yo despite the fact that it's technically beneath the age of consent. Same with a 13yo and a 16yo, etc.

[sunitaishot]

difficult to determine, since everybody matures sexually at a different rate (morphologically, physiologically and psychologically).

IMO, there should be a test. if one passes the test, one is free to do it, so to speak. the current method sets an absolute, when human development doesn't subscribe to that.

[Seablue]

	Originally Posted by sunitaishot To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	IMO, there should be a test. if one passes the test, one is free to do it, so to speak. the current method sets an absolute, when human development doesn't subscribe to that.

Unrealistic. It's hard enough getting people (especially teenagers) to use contraception, nevermind making them ask permission to a legal authority.

[JC22]

18

[SelfMadeBum]

It's 16 here, however you can't visit a doctor on your own until you're 18. Checks and balances or fucked up hypocrisy? You choose.

[Zsych]

Perhaps its better to think in terms of unwanted results.

You don't want people getting physically or psychologically harmed. It is assumed that some people are better able to make judgments about what will do them good.

... you could as well develop a training course, and set of tests to verify that the kid understands enough about relationships to be able to make their own decisions.

Amusing info about the rest of the world:

Originally Posted by Israel

The age of consent in Israel is 16 for any form of sexual relations. A special case arises when a person aged 14 or 15 had sexual relations with an older partner; in this case the older partner would be exempt of criminal liability if three conditions are met: the age difference between the partners was less than three years, the younger partner gave consent and the act was done out of "regular friendly relations" and without the abuse of power.

In other words, you can have sex at 14 with someone older, if you're just having fun.

	Originally Posted by Japan
	The national age of consent in Japan is 13. Certain prefectures change that. Rape is defined in terms of forcing a female...

13 ... and men are immune to being raped.

	Originally Posted by Indonesia
	In Indonesia the national age of consent for heterosexual sexual activity is 19 years for males and 16 years for females. The age of consent for homosexuals is 18.

... Not only are the ages different for men and women, they are again different for homosexuals
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	Originally Posted by Kazakhstan
	Sexual intercourse, sodomy, or lesbianism or other acts of sexual nature, with a person who did not reach sixteen years of age, the guilty party being aware of that fact, shall be punished by restriction of freedom for a period up to three years, or by detention under arrest for a period up to six months, or deprivation of freedom for a period up to five years.

... So no getting screwed for sex with a minor if you didn't know.

	Originally Posted by Lebanon
	18 - but 15 if you're married.

The US system would let you get married with parental consent, but likely not have the right to have sex if it violates the usual restrictions.

	Originally Posted by Phillipines
	The age of consent in the Philippines is complex. Interpol lists the age of consent of Philippines as 18. However, the adult involved in perpetrating the lewd act cannot be prosecuted due to limitations in the law. Sex with a child under 12 is considered rape

So there's no punishment for sex with a minor, unless the minor is under 12. I've heard funky things about what goes on over there.

	Originally Posted by Qatar
	No age restriction, but no sex outside marriage, and no marriage without parental consent.

I expect that many parents would feel a lot better with that rule, when their kids are about to do something stupid.

	Originally Posted by Singapore
	16, but no male gay sex. Two years in jail for male on male.

	Originally Posted by South Korea
	13 and only females can be raped.

Being practical... even in the US, where women are over-protected (to the point that false accusations will often still land a guy in jail), people don't really care much about it possibly happening to guys.

	Originally Posted by Thailand
	15... but until 18, you can't see a prostitute, and if the minor changes their mind about whether or not they liked it at any point... they parents can file a complaint.

... best make sure not to piss off the girl for the next several years if she's 15.

---

Punishments for violation also naturally vary across countries, and various places won't do anything unless someone formally lodges a complaint (like a parent)

[Phaze228]

I think I'm with Israel on this one.

[sunitaishot]

	Originally Posted by Seablue To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Unrealistic. It's hard enough getting people (especially teenagers) to use contraception, nevermind making them ask permission to a legal authority.

Let's say in a hypothetical jurisdiction, the consent age is 16. A boy aged 17 has sex with a 15 year old, and the 15 year old fully understand the ramifications of sex. I don't see why the 17 year old should be prosecuted, since it is an arbitrary limit.

[UltraIncredible]

	Originally Posted by Zsych To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	The national age of consent in Japan is 13. Certain prefectures change that.

This explains quite a bit.

[Zsych]

	Originally Posted by sunitaishot To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Let's say in a hypothetical jurisdiction, the consent age is 16. A boy aged 17 has sex with a 15 year old, and the 15 year old fully understand the ramifications of sex. I don't see why the 17 year old should be prosecuted, since it is an arbitrary limit.

I think that since a decent number of kids do end up having sex much younger, that the sexual competency schooling might make sense around 10+, with the kid preferably expected to pass by 13 or so (at least the girls), so that they never go into it without understanding the implications.

You can also have punishments that aren't unreasonable - one week hard labor, if you haven't passed the test.

	Originally Posted by UltraIncredible To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	This explains quite a bit.

I think it tends to be higher in more urban areas. Its 17 in Tokyo.

[Tito]

In the United States it depends on the state. Where I live the age of consent is 16. However, it appears to me that most people living here are not quite well versed on this and think its probably higher.

In a neighboring state, which the border is less than 30 minutes from my house, its 18. I suspect that many people from that state come into my state just to legally have sex with a minor.

[Seablue]

	Originally Posted by sunitaishot To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Let's say in a hypothetical jurisdiction, the consent age is 16. A boy aged 17 has sex with a 15 year old, and the 15 year old fully understand the ramifications of sex. I don't see why the 17 year old should be prosecuted, since it is an arbitrary limit.

I covered this, sort of. Like I said, in France there's not just an age of consent, there is also the fact that it's okay as long as both partners are not more than 3 years apart. So in your hypothetical scenario, a 17yo couldn't be prosecuted for having sex with a 15yo, as they are only two years apart.

But of course that's limited. You can ask the same question with a 13yo and a 17yo and I would have to answer that yes, the 17yo could be prosecuted even if the 13yo is more mature than some people are at 18. In practice though, I would have to say that as long as it happens between minors who have both reached puberty and as long as there are no signs of coercion, people don't really care even when it's technically illegal. My sister was screwing 18yo boys when she was 13 and I don't think there was much my parents could have done even if they had tried to go to the police. At least I have never heard of anyone being prosecuted for such a thing.

[Yardy]

Leave it where it's at and fuck in private, or use self-restraint 'till it's legal.

[MAllen7424]

PUBERTY
The age of fourteen in males and twelve in females, when they are held lit for, and capable of contracting, marriage. Otherwise called the “age of consent to marriage.” 1 Bl. Comm. 436; 2 Kent, Comm. 7S. See State v. Pierson, 44 Ark. 205.

Definition of PUBERTY (Black's Law Dictionary)

[MechanicalSun]

30

[ModernLit]

17-18. lol at ^ if it was 30 i wouldnt be able to have sex and that makes me
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[JYFly]

I don't think a set age is necessary. At whatever age the child is determined to be independent from their parents is good enough for me, because at the end of the day, parents can persuade a child over 18 to break a relationship if the child relies on the parents for something.

It's arbitrary, but society has a role in this. If it's hard for anyone under the age of 16 to get a job that pays well enough for the child to live on their own, then the parents can prove that their 14 year old child cannot be considered independent.

[Saggita]

I think it changes from person to person, but here the age of consent is 14 and I am kinda okay with it...? 16 seems too old, and 12 too young to be considered an average, me thinks. Although these are just guesses. I don't really have any data.

[UltraIncredible]

	Originally Posted by Saggita To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I think it changes from person to person, but here the age of consent is 14 and I am kinda okay with it...? 16 seems too old, and 12 too young to be considered an average, me thinks. Although these are just guesses. I don't really have any data.

16 seems too old? Brazil must be an amorous location indeed.

[Selene]

As long as it coincides with the legal age to medical treatment (abortion) without parental consent, I'm good.

18 would be ideal
16-17 is fine
15 is a tad too young
14 out of the question
13 you've gotta be kidding

[AliceFoster]

Well, I think people who have hit puberty should be allowed to have sex with other people (who has also hit puberty) within a 2~3 years range. So a 13 and 15 year old could have sex if they wanted to, for example.

As of 16 though, I think everyone should be able to have sex with anyone over 16.

Consent age is 14 where I live, I'm fine with that.

[Tocsin]

I used to know someone who stated their thoughts on the age at which girls should be allowed to have sex as "if she's old enough to bleed she's old enough to butcher." Not the most wholesome of attitudes, but he was at least honest about his intent.

[DroppedG7]

If they're 16 and watch Disney and Spongebob what makes it okay to show them your genitals?

[ectopic]

You know what they say. If there's grass on the field, play ball.