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The Straight Story

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9. If we trust an 18yr old to vote we can trust em to obey basic laws I hope

Sun May 26, 2013, 10:30 PM

May 2013

My rule, were I judge, would be - if you were having sex with the same person before you turned 18 then I would understand.

It is not always logical but at some point you have to draw a line and stand by - and when that line is blurred give judges enough leeway to make a decision based on other circumstances.

When we tie the hands of judges (like we do at schools with zero tolerance crap) their ability to 'judge' is compromised.

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Should sex between an 18 year old and someone younger than a specified age always be illegal? [View all] Nye Bevan May 2013 OP

One of my aunts, that lived two doors down from me when growing up, was married when she was 13. Tx4obama May 2013 #1

Did she marry a three-year-old? WTH?? WinkyDink May 2013 #34

Huh? He was older than her. He died first. She lived many more years after his death. Tx4obama May 2013 #40

I didn't consider that! WinkyDink May 2013 #43

Raising the age of consent to 35 would solve a lot of problems. nt Robb May 2013 #2

I'm so hard core, I think it should be illegal for someone to masturbate on their own 18th birthday. Warren DeMontague May 2013 #3

I have adult gay male friends who were seeking out sex with adult men when they were 14 MNBrewer May 2013 #4

I guess it's not as black and white as some of us (maybe most) would like it to be. nomorenomore08 May 2013 #5

Well, the adult men having sex with 14 yr olds. uppityperson May 2013 #10

If you say so. MNBrewer May 2013 #16

And what about your friend's parents? Did they not care if their son was statutorily raped? randome May 2013 #18

His parents would have kicked him out of the house had they known he was gay, MNBrewer May 2013 #19

Thanks for the answer. randome May 2013 #20

Sexual orientation doesn't matter, what matters is the power differential between 14 and an adult. uppityperson May 2013 #25

The criminal is the one exploiting the judgement (or lack there of) of horny teenagers Sen. Walter Sobchak May 2013 #36

He didn't need legal protection from either of those things MNBrewer May 2013 #39

I have had about half a dozen extremely young girls pursue me over the last twenty years Sen. Walter Sobchak May 2013 #42

The libido doesn't always mesh with the intellect. Hence, laws. WinkyDink May 2013 #45

The chicken-hawks. WinkyDink May 2013 #44

Without a line Peregrine May 2013 #6

Agree completely. randome May 2013 #13

Do you feel that the majority of teens are manipulated? LadyHawkAZ May 2013 #23

I think the majority are not ready for sex before 18. randome May 2013 #35

But those not ready before 18 generally aren't having sex before 18 LadyHawkAZ May 2013 #48

Good point. nt RedCappedBandit May 2013 #46

...and trash this thread... Iggo May 2013 #7

I haven't weighed in on this issue Aerows May 2013 #8

Thanks for the thoughtful answer. NaturalHigh May 2013 #38

If we trust an 18yr old to vote we can trust em to obey basic laws I hope The Straight Story May 2013 #9

I don't always agree with you, but here I have no objections. nomorenomore08 May 2013 #21

I think the line should be there but I think you're right about tying the hands of judges, too. randome May 2013 #22

Wow, I'm surprised that 2/3 want to draw that firm line at 18. Comrade Grumpy May 2013 #11

Do you feel that "no line" way about the vote? Drinking alcohol? Signing contracts? Buying a gun? WinkyDink May 2013 #14

You draw the line at 729 days and someone will come along and say "Why not 727?" randome May 2013 #15

Look. Try seeing this NOT from some imaginary "in-love" "nice" 18-yr-old's viewpoint. Try WinkyDink May 2013 #12

I'm more concerned with the circumstances than age LittleBlue May 2013 #17

I'm comfortable with a 4 year leeway LadyHawkAZ May 2013 #24

+1 Go Vols May 2013 #26

This message was self-deleted by its author JimDandy May 2013 #27

Does anyone ever fall in love anymore? defacto7 May 2013 #28

In Sweden, sex between an 18 year old and someone younger than 15 is illegal without exception. Nye Bevan May 2013 #29

OK. defacto7 May 2013 #30

Yeah but look at Germany, Italy, and Spain davidn3600 May 2013 #31

Under 16 should be illegal but not always charged - leave some room for prosecutorial discretion. Donald Ian Rankin May 2013 #32

We need a two year rule, sex with a minor two or more years younger is illegal. bemildred May 2013 #33

Yes In_The_Wind May 2013 #37

It is difficult to select one specific age sarisataka May 2013 #41

I like the 'peer group' consideration raised by other posters ITT RedCappedBandit May 2013 #47