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Original poster

Why not lower age of consent to 14?

106 replies

CustardSliceAndAMugOfCoffee · 11/01/2013 12:20

Becoming sexually active - why not lower the age of consent to 14?
This was one of the topics for discussion on The Wright Stuff on channel 5 this morning. What are your opinions? I personally think the age of consent should remain 16 years of age.

OP posts:
FastidiaBlueberry · 11/01/2013 12:51

Because then a 40 year old perv could legally sleep with them.

Good idea? Really?

Mitchy1nge · 11/01/2013 12:44

In what cases of statutory rape? It's not a term used in English law although the concept is sort of defined when it comes to sexual activity with a child under the age of thirteen I suppose.

Think the law is already quite well set up around protection from predatory older adults (it's not used to prosecute 16 year olds for having sex with 15 year olds is it) so it probably wouldn't hurt to lower the age of consent - once all teenage boys are vasectomised of course

DSM · 11/01/2013 12:42

Taggie - though I agree in principal, I don't like the sweeping generalisation, sorry. I know a girl who had her DD at 14. She is a wonderful mother.

I think there are better arguments TBH. There are some 16 year olds who would be incapable of parenting effectively. There are some 25 year olds who would also fit this description.

Lowering consent means it will be legal to sleep with a 14 year old. Regardless of your age. Surely that is a more compelling argument?

Conflugenglugen · 11/01/2013 12:29

Taggie - I think that is the most compelling argument for keeping it as is.

TaggieCampbellBlack · 11/01/2013 12:26

Because 14 year olds are completely incapable of parenting effectively.

DSM · 11/01/2013 12:25

I think 16 is awful young, but then I also think the only time this law matters is in cases of statutory rape. I don't think two randy 15 year olds will necessarily wait a few months just because the law tells them to.

But lowering it to 14 means older people can sleep with 14 year olds with no legal repercussion. I do not agree with that.

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