Laws against underage sex need to have more realistic exemptions.

[Tiberius]

The story: http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2013/05/flori...ationship/

What makes me annoyed isn't the fact that this girl is gay and is clearly being targeted for her sexual orientation, but that she could even be arrested in the first place.

Underage sex, or even underage relationships should not be a black and white issue, because they aren't always so simple. Yes, a 50 year old man having a relationship with an underage girl should be cause for both concern and for criminal action. However, when you have teenagers who are separated by only a few years, and the elder of the two becomes a legal adult, he/she should not be treated in the same way as the 50 year old would.

It should be common sense, but these laws aren't based on common sense at all. They are based on arbitrary age limits which should not be applied generally. It pisses me off to no end.

If you want to help out the girl in the article, there is a petition here: http://www.change.org/petitions/indian-r...lationship

However this kind of thing will only end when stupid laws are rewritten to account for what happens in reality.

[rexbeccarox]

Goddamned Florida. This makes me sad. It's so twisted.

[cratehorus]

the laws state the two's birthdays must be no more than 24 months apart, what would you consider reasonable? 36 months is that what this is about? if this is some "well they were in love and destined to be together" bullcrap then they could've waited the 3 years too have sex again

what's the problem here?

[Violet]

Underage sex, or even underage relationships should not be a black and white issue, because they aren't always so simple. Yes, a 50 year old man having a relationship with an underage girl should be cause for both concern and for criminal action.

Concern, yes... but legal action only if 'criminal' actions are taking place.

Even then, many observations of 'criminal' behavior completely miss the mark.

---

the laws state the two's birthdays must be no more than 24 months apart, what would you consider reasonable? 36 months is that this is about? if this is some "well they were in love and destined to be together" bullcrap then they could've waited the 3 years too have sex again

How about affixing the arbitrary segregation to a quality that makes a difference, instead of one as utterly ineffectual as the separation of ages?

Just a thought.

And really, who cares why two people might deign have sex with one another? Does the reason matter to you, as long as both parties agree?

what's the problem here?

Legal arbitration causing problems. Nothing unusual there.

[Tiberius]

the laws state the two's birthdays must be no more than 24 months apart, what would you consider reasonable? 36 months is that this is about? if this is some "well they were in love and destined to be together" bullcrap then they could've waited the 3 years too have sex again

what's the problem here?

I'd suggest that no arbitrary limit be put in place, but instead judgement be made on a case by case basis. Puberty hits different people at different times. Some people mature earlier than others. A 15 year old dating an 18 year old isn't really that bizarre. 15 year olds can be mature enough to make responsible decisions about their lives. It's all dependent on the people involved.

In this case, it seems that the girls in question were consenting and close. Whatever sexual activity they did participate in was not abusive.

It seems silly and downright unjust that two underage people can have a relationship, potentially sexual, and likely not face prosecution if caught, but if one of the pair becomes a legal adult, will face prosecution.

At the very least, the punishment should not be as life-destroying as it would be for someone who was purposefully abusing their victim.

[cratehorus]

I'd suggest that no arbitrary limit be put in place, but instead judgement be made on a case by case basis. Puberty hits different people at different times. Some people mature earlier than others. A 15 year old dating an 18 year old isn't really that bizarre. 15 year olds can be mature enough to make responsible decisions about their lives. It's all dependent on the people involved.

In this case, it seems that the girls in question were consenting and close. Whatever sexual activity they did participate in was not abusive.

It seems silly and downright unjust that two underage people can have a relationship, potentially sexual, and likely not face prosecution if caught, but if one of the pair becomes a legal adult, will face prosecution.

At the very least, the punishment should not be as life-destroying as it would be for someone who was purposefully abusing their victim.

there has too be a line somewhere....a 17 year old can't have sex with a 3 year old, and a 50 year old (as you mentioned) shouldn't have sex with a 15 year old so where is the line???

there's also the matter of this "criminal" being the "victim" of a false accusation, let's say they broke up at one point couldn't the 15 year old hold this 18 year old accountable for rape after they break up just as a matter of spite??? what would hold up in court? the testimony of the 15 year old perhaps.........are love notes now considered evidence? if so then there are plenty of teens in relationships with middle aged men (and women) who have such love notes and wouldn't be considered rapists????

so where is the line?

[Minimalist]

I'd suggest that no arbitrary limit be put in place, but instead judgement be made on a case by case basis.

Whew....be careful what you wish for, Divi Tiberio.

http://www.democraticdiva.com/2012/09/08...xceptions/

Coconino County Superior Court Judge Jacqueline Hatch became a viral internet sensation the other day when the news got out that she told the victim of a drunk groper that she shared part of the blame for the attack perpetrated against her. And apparently the judge thinks bars and pretty much all other public spaces should be total sausage fests after 10 pm.

That robe ( or wig on your side of the pond ) does not mean they can be trusted.

[cratehorus]

Whew....be careful what you wish for, Divi Tiberio.

http://www.democraticdiva.com/2012/09/08...xceptions/

Coconino County Superior Court Judge Jacqueline Hatch became a viral internet sensation the other day when the news got out that she told the victim of a drunk groper that she shared part of the blame for the attack perpetrated against her. And apparently the judge thinks bars and pretty much all other public spaces should be total sausage fests after 10 pm.

That robe ( or wig on your side of the pond ) does not mean they can be trusted.

It amazes me how people think american and english judges are somehow morally superior than those of the middle east

You think it’s hard to get justice in the courts against your rapist? Imagine it’s Judge Hatch from whom you have to get permission to abort a pregnancy resulting from rape or even to get emergency contraception* after the incident. God forbid you were out anywhere after 10pm because you are in for a stern lecture! And good luck getting a dispensation at all if you are facing an authority figure like Todd Akin, who doesn’t even believe the majority of victims are “legitimately” raped.

[Gilgamesh]

what's the problem here?

The part about waiting 3 years for sex. Intimacy with another being is the best thing this world has to offer. Yes, they 'can' wait but they shouldn't 'have' to. There's no reason they should have to. They did something that caused nobody harm and that they both enjoyed, so what the fuck? Why punish that which is not a crime?

Also, why can't a 15 year-old and a 50 year-old have sex, again?

[cratehorus]

what's the problem here?

The part about waiting 3 years for sex. Intimacy with another being is the best thing this world has to offer. Yes, they 'can' wait but they shouldn't 'have' to. There's no reason they should have to.

well than u shouldn't be fucking 15 year olds??? theres no reason for someone to be in that kind of relationship with a minor without the parents permission and expect it to be "alright" there are age restrictions this specific case may tread the line "a little closely" but they are still over the line if it's that important to be together they can wait too have sex or get involved in a polygamous relationship....that or they can just go fuck themselves