Age! Why does it still matter?

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Brutha

What about active and passive voting rights?

What does that mean?

[BeyondtheWrap]

Originally Posted by James81

I'm thinking the issue here isn't so much about "kids" as it is that little grey area in the teenage years.

Before they are 18, but older than, say, 16.

Cases where, say, a 21 year old man has sex with a 17 year old girl and gets the book thrown at him. I think those laws are ridiculous.

A 40 year old man having sex with a 17 year old girl, however, is just wrong. Why? Becaue a 40 year old man has far more "resources" with which to persuade a 17 year old girl than a 21 year old man.

A 40 year old and 17 year old is not ok, but a 40 year old and an 18 year old is?

Thank you for bringing up teenagers. To me, this is what the issue is about. I'm 19, and personally, my "internal check" says that high school girls are hot.

[aggie]

i think this not just about grey areas but a wide variety of scenerios as well.


it is about protection of children, not violating anyone's rights, not discriminating, not forcing your personal beliefs on others, etc.


there is also a big difference in a law that needs to exist to at least attempt to protect society from harm and a parent that wants to protect their children by enforcing some boundaries and morals for them to abide by.


this does not mean that no one is going to break a law and a child is not going to test those boundaries and morals...but at least we all have some guidines for a civilized way to live. it is the right of everyone to follow as much as unfortunately it is the freedom of anyone to not.


i personally think it would be disastrous and chaotic if we were all just running amok doing whatever, whenever and with whomever we wanted no matter how old we were!

[James81]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheWrap

A 40 year old and 17 year old is not ok, but a 40 year old and an 18 year old is?

Nope, not according to the constructs that I base my arguement upon.

[Brutha]

What does that mean?

Active voting rights are the rights to vote in an election while passive voting rights are the right to get elected.

If you are 25 years old you for example don't have the passive voting right of being elected as president of the United States because you haven't reached the minimum age.