Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Don't Ask Rambi -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Janice Shell who wrote (9753)	4/14/1998 6:33:00 PM
From: Jacques Chitte	Respond to of 71178

I'm not sure consent is the get-out-of-jail card. There was a ruckus not so long ago about a community which had immigrated from the uplands of Afghanistan or someplace nearby. They were in the habit of marrying their daughters off at the age of eleven or twelve. The USA didn't acknowledge the legality of the marriages, and last I heard the fathers of some brides were up on charges. Any line drawn against apparently consensual sex (how consensual is seduction?) is gonna be arbitrary. I do believe a line is needed. At least to dissuade seductors of young stuff. Where to draw it - tough call.

To: Janice Shell who wrote (9753)	4/14/1998 7:10:00 PM
From: Lady Lurksalot	Respond to of 71178

Janice, Alex, All, I don't know about other states, but in California there is the Emancipated Minor Act, which is just what it sounds like. Emancipated minors have the same rights and obligations as adults, with the exceptions of voting. Holly

To: Janice Shell who wrote (9753)	4/14/1998 7:23:00 PM
From: Rambi	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 71178

That's why we have judges and juries and social workers and long tedious home studies and psychological testing yada yada...because there is nothing cut and dried about any law. If the ages are that close-I doubt that prosecution would be vigorously pursued. But with an 18 and and a 13---there should definitely be some guidelines and some consequences. As a parent, I appreciate the help certain laws---e.g.teen curfews--give me in enforcing desired behaviors in my children. Individual cases will not convince me otherwise---there is always one case that can appear to represent the wisdom of an opposing viewpoint. I fall back on my years of education and experience in the field and as a parent which have convinced me that on the whole, minors are not ready for sex and its ramifications. When an adult has sex with a child there is a great deal more involved than a sexual act. There is control and power and seduction. Children need protection against an adult who would use those weapons against someone not nearly mature enough to take on the consequences of the sex act, to make well-considered decisions for him or herself. I believe it IS criminal of an adult to take advantage of a minor in this way. 13 is a baby--I don't care how physically developed she is. That is what I meant about the discrepancy between the physical ability being out of whack with the social skills necessary TODAY to be an adult or especially to have children. It's not just the child we're protecting; it's society as a whole. Children can't raise children. Gaugie asks facetiously if we should raise the age of consent to 30 and give a test. I answer somewhat facetiously that giving a test is not such a bad idea. The readiness or the ability to make wise decisions does not rest solely on the relationship between parents and child, or the apparent maturity of a child, or how in love a young couple is. I believe we owe it to children to protect them as best we can from predators, from the pressure of their "partner", and at times from themselves.