ichimarufoxeyes said: Now, in my state, the age of consent is 17. The specifics to this are if you are under 17 and the other person is over 21, it’s statutory rape. Over 17, you’re golden. What is your take on this?



My take on this is a bit long so bear with me. First off, I think there should be a federal law regarding age of consent. Not to bring politics into this too much, but I’m very much against states rights in that I don’t want to not be able to move to a state within the country that has awesome weather, nature, industry, and stuff like that because say, they restrict my body autonomy as a woman, or, if I was someone with children, my children wouldn’t be safe from predators, etc. I think the fact that a person is legal in one state and illegal in another is problematic because predators can strategically choose where to commit what would be a crime in another state. I don’t think that makes sense that one country can be that different from state to state, and I don’t like the idea that horrible laws limit my freedom to move within my own country.



As for the legality of it, I think laws and morals don’t always align. Many immoral things are not illegal, and many things are illegal that have nothing to do with morals. I think the law should protect us from each other, not ourselves. We have people spending half their life in prison for being sick (addicted to drugs) when we have child molestors and rapists doing a year or two, if any time at all. That is wrong to me. I don’t support a legal system which punishes someone for making a choice with their own body while letting someone who preys upon others off with a slap on the wrist.



I think that an adult who seeks out a teenager to sleep with has problems, whether the teen in question is “legal” or not in their state. As an adult (near 30), the idea of sleeping with even an 18 year old guy is not appealing to me, and I draw a line where, from my experience, brain functioning and decision making has changed enough from adolesense. I would consider myself a predator if I was at a show trolling for 18 year olds and younger.



On the other hand, within reason, there is a range where, if you’re both in your late teens but one is still under age, there’s a bit of leeway, but not that much. An 18 and 14 year old? Absolutely not. An 18 and a 16 year old is a little different. A 30 and 16 year old? What the hell does a 30 year old want from a 16 year old besides to play out some sick, predatory fantasy? Nothing. I don’t care how old a 16 year old seems, or how mature they think they are, they are not mature enough, and an adult is taking advantage of them.



I don’t like the idea of minors having sex at all as an adult looking back on just how much growth takes place between the ages of 14-30, but I “get” it happens, and clearly I’m not trying to force them to not have sex with each other. I just think when you bring an adult into the equation there is something morally wrong with that adult’s decision, and that the adult has the responsibility to say, “No, you’re too young, it’s not right,” and walk away. I think it should be prosecuted and put to 18 years old (with some leeway for teens within a few years of each other) across the board. And I think an adult who is purposely making themselves attractive to teens, people over ten years younger than him, is a predator, plain and simple.

But that’s my two cents, I understand there are differing opinions. I just know that I’m a completely different person now than I was at 14, 16, 18, 21, 25, and now almost 30. Such drastic change and growth happens during these formative years, and so many experiences give adults a leg up over teens and young adults, that being intimate with someone below the age of 21 when you’re in your late 20’s or older is messed up. Sure, best case scenario they enjoy themselves and don’t think twice about it, but worst case scenario they’re seriously harmed by it. I think it’s best to be cautious when it comes to whether or not I could hurt someone in the worst way imaginable. I’m ok with having significantly less sex if it means I’m not risking scarring someone for life.