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[Eilonnwy]

Not at all You would agree that there is a great maturity difference between a mentally stable 10 year old, and a mentally stable 60 year old, correct?

But how much difference is there between that one year old... and a three year old? Not a great deal... And a 5 year old from an 8 year old? Very similar.

Actually, that's completely wrong. Mental capacities between a 1 yr old and 3 year old are HUGE as well as a 5 year old from an eight year old. This is the crucial time when brains are developing very rapidly. Cognition and understanding are vastly different from year to year. It's only when you get older that these gaps begin to narrow. A 15 year old would never date a 12 year old, but no one would raise an eyebrow at a a 35 year old dating a 32 year old.

Age only allows for more time in which to obtain wisdom, knowledge, and experience... it does not dictate that one does. So long as people are different: there can be no line drawn. It is quite true that the vast majority falls between 15 and 25 when it comes to having the maturity level expected of an adult... but there are some rare individuals who fall outside of that.... and those individuals deserve to not to be held back nor pushed forward into having increased rights.

Age dictates nothing. It is experience from which we derive maturity.

You directly contradict yourself. You admit that age allows time to obtain wisdom, knowledge, and experience and then dismiss it and say it's all about experience, which you just admitted Age plays a major role in.

A 15 year old will never have the same maturity level as a 25 year old, but it's a different story when you're talking about a 45 year old and 55 year old.

Age plays a huge role. It's not the only factor in determining maturity, but it is an important one, especially children and teens. Meatball is correct in his post above.