[Vision2020] Age of Consent

[Joan Opyr]

On Jun 15, 2006, at 1:16 AM, Scott Dredge wrote:

> Doug,
>
> Curiously within the topic of the Sitler case, you've asked Ralph what 
> he thought age of consent should be and now you're asking Joan what it 
> should be which indicates to me that you don't agree with the present 
> age of consent laws.  True or untrue?  And if true, what do you think 
> age of consent should be?
>
> -Scott
>
> ===============================
> Doug Wilson blogged 6/14/2006 3:14:25 PM
>
> "I have an article suggestion for Joan, one that should go over well at
> New West some time in the future. Why don't you write something on
> when you think the age of sexual consent should be, and why?"
>
> ===============================

While I appreciate suggested article topics for New West, I'm not 
particularly interested in writing about age of consent laws.  First, 
they are not uniform from state to state, much less country to country. 
  I will say that I think the law should be the same for homosexuals and 
heterosexuals.  In Idaho, and several other states, the age of consent 
for gays and lesbians is older than the age of consent for straight 
people.  I believe the breakdown is 16 for heterosexuals and 18 for 
gays and lesbians.  Why the difference?  Who's more likely to be faced 
with an unwanted pregnancy?

Let's remember, Doug, that there were two cases discussed in the New 
West piece.  One, that of Steven Sitler, a child molester and sexual 
predator, has received the most attention.  The other, that of Jamin 
Wight, has been lost in the shuffle.  Wight, a 24-year old Greyfriars 
Seminary student, embarked on an eighteen-month long sexual 
relationship with a 14-year old girl.  Was that 14-year old 
psychologically ready to engage in consensual sex with a man ten years 
her senior?  In my opinion, no.  Was she legally ready?  In the court's 
opinion, certainly not.  Was she old enough to engage in sexual 
relations with another 14-year old of the same or opposite sex?  
Legally, logically, and speaking as a parent, no.  Should 12 and 
13-year olds be allowed to marry with parental permission?  No.  In 
some countries, Doug, the age of consent for young girls is in the 
single digits.  Do I approve of that?  Of course not.  I think it's a 
disgrace.  What do you think?  Would you be willing to pick a marriage 
partner for your underaged teenager?

The general consensus on age of consent seems to cluster at age 16.  
Perhaps that's old enough for some; I think it's too young.  But then 
I'm conservative on these issues.  I would certainly prefer that young 
people at least wait until they're old enough to vote.  When you're old 
enough to pick a President, to pay taxes, and to serve in Iraq, then 
you're probably old enough to pick a sex partner.  Probably -- but not 
always.  Clearly, even at the ripe old age of 24, Jamin Wight wasn't 
fit to make that choice.

Joan Opyr/Auntie Establishment
www.joanopyr.com


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