Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: what do you rhink the legal age to consent sex should be? [View all]Spider Jerusalem
(21,786 posts)129. No, it really isn't
paedophilia has a clinical meaning; it refers pretty specifically to sexual attraction to a prepubescent child. Most 15-year-olds are sexually mature. An adult who is sexually attracted to a 15-year-old isn't a paedophile. It's creepy for all sorts of reasons that have to do with power imbalances and maturity and the ability to make a freely informed choice, but it's not really sexually abnormal the way that actual paedophilia is.
Edit history
Please sign in to view edit histories.
143 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
RecommendedHighlight replies with 5 or more recommendations
I was thinking 18 and everything under 18 is governed by the age difference. 19/17..ok etc
Leme
May 2014
#139
You think there are 'valid reasons' to arrest a 16 & 15 y/o for consensual "stupid teenage sex"?
Warren DeMontague
May 2014
#126
Not having an encylopedic knowledge of every discussion ever had on DU, I couldn't say.
Warren DeMontague
May 2014
#140
It's telling that the discussion isn't usually about the need for more Romeo and Juliet laws...
redqueen
May 2014
#89
Can we get an option for "Why does it always seem to be adult men who ask about this?" nt
redqueen
May 2014
#8
I meant to put it before "always". Regardless, I wonder what prompted this man to ask.
redqueen
May 2014
#28
"You're not allowed to discuss this aspect of the law, otherwise you're a pedophile"
Kurska
May 2014
#120
It's a lot more than "semantics" when your 17 year old kid is charged with a crime
jberryhill
May 2014
#43
You want to throw an 18-year-old in jail for having sex with a 17-year-old?
Comrade Grumpy
May 2014
#39
If we had mandatory "neutering and spaying prior to the onset of puberty"
Louisiana1976
May 2014
#102
Probably something to do with preventing adults from taking advantage of minors. nt
redqueen
May 2014
#54
As far as health is concerned, I read a long time ago that when a 16-year-old gives birth, the
Cal33
May 2014
#49
Be close to your children, talk to them about things. everything, when they are young.
panader0
May 2014
#50
Teenagers have sex with each other, which is not the same as adults having sex with them.
Warren DeMontague
May 2014
#59
The states voted on this: 16% chose 17, 24% chose 18, and 62% chose 16
struggle4progress
May 2014
#98
with someone comparable or someone much older, teacher, person of power differential?
uppityperson
May 2014
#110