Should the Age of Consent be different for Men and Women?

Question

Bear in mind that the age of consent for girls was 13 just 130 years ago in the USA, and the idea that boys would even need to consent to an act they found enjoyable from puberty was humorous, do you think that the legal age should be different between the genders?

Why or why not?

Answer 1

I agree that the age of consent should be 18. However I am the person that believes age doesn't mean a thing. The fact is that a lot of people prey on younger people weather they be male or female. It is sickening to think that older people such as the age of 18 and so on bring themselves to have sexual relations with miners. It seems that while they are still younge they are also stupid and naive therefor easier to manipulate. That is why it should be 18. If they do not know how to think for themselves at 18 then they are pretty much helpless. at least while they are you ng they still have time to learn.

Answer 2

The age of consent should be 30 for everyone, enforceable by lightning bolt.

That would solve a LOT of problems.

Cheers :-)

Answer 3

No, it should remain 16 (as it is in the uk) for all. Because if teenagers have s*x the courts don't care, lots of teenagers do it when it's ready. The law isn't for that, it's to prevent child peodophilia.

Answer 4

Yes.  An average 16 yr old girl knows the implication of s*x, conception and motherhood in a much better way compared to an average 20 yr old guy.  This is due to the level of sexual education and the cultural factors.  

In my opinion the average 16 yr old girl's awareness about s*x at present times can be treated as the basis for maturity regarding consent to s*x.  Hence the age of consent for s*x and ALL matters related to s*x for females should be 16 and for males should be 20 at present.  If a guy father a child before age 20 he should be allowed to walk away from it.

If the awareness and cultural factors change and boys are made to realy understand the implications of having s*x before age 20, the age of consent can be adjusted at that time.

WOW so many thumb downs!  lots of women are afriad of responsibilty at age 16!

Answer 5

The age of consent should be raised to 18 for all people everywhere. It would prevent a lot of confusion about 'age of consent' laws from State to State. I also think the drinking age should be lowered to 18. We need to all agree on when exactly someone is an adult.

Answer 6

No because thats being sexist. Why start being sexist now the world is already Fkd up as it is.

Answer 7

If parents were responsible enough to provide their kids appropriate s*x education, it would not be much of an issue.

Making it 18 for both might serve as a mild deterrent, but it certainly won't stop younger kids from having s*x and getting pregnant.

I find the legal age of consent to be mostly irrelevant, since I am constantly teaching my kids that s*x

~should happen in the context of a caring relationship

~should happen only when both individuals WANT it

~should happen only when both individuals are prepared for any potential consequences  of it (STIs, pregnancy, emotional effects)

Answer 8

Of course not.  Kids socialise with other kids.  Kids like themselves.   To have age of consent based on gender of the child is clearly sexist.

Answer 9

may b

Answer 10

The age of consent is the same for boys and girls in the United States. The age of consent differs by state as some are 16 and others 18.

I don't see a reason why the age of consent should be different for boys and girls. Boys need protection from pedophiles just as girls do.

Answer 11

no children should be able to have there childhood b4 the possibility of s*x pregnancy std's away from molestation

Answer 12

were in the 21st century still struggling to prove equality between the sexes!  Its really sad when you think about it.  To make any kind of dividing line is a step backward for women.  Age of consent has little to do with willingness to participate in a s*x act and a lot to do with at what age society stops viewing a person as a child.  And that age is the same for boys and girls

Answer 13

130 years ago, girls age 12 and 13 were getting married, and the age of consent reflected that.  They're not getting married at that age anymore.  And yes, I think the age of consent should be different for boys and girls-- studies show girls mature faster, and that boys tend to be more reckless and less capable of understanding consequences.  Besides, girls are the ones who have to deal with the consequences if there's a pregenency.  I'd say the age of consent should be higher for boys, since they take longer to understand the seriousness of s*x and its consequences.  Just because a boy finds an act enjoyable doesn't mean he can't be coerced into it, can't feel bad about it later, or doesn't suffer emotional or psychological consequences for it.

Answer 14

no.

children do not need to be having s*x. period. i believe the age should be set at 16 for everyone across the board and be done with it.

Answer 15

While I agree that more boys find s*x enjoyable at a younger age than girls do, that's not the point of age of consent laws. The idea is that some children are not mature enough to decide for themselves whether or not they should have s*x.

No, I don't think the legal age should be different between the genders. Personally, I think we should simplify matters and choose one age for majority, to cover military service, voting, drinking, tobacco, independence from guardianship, and consent to s*x/marriage. 18 sounds about right for all of those.

Answer 16

The age of consent is about the capacity of the person to understand the consequences of their actions, in this case, s*x. Under a certain age (and this differ in different societies), it is assumed that children do not understand the consequences of their actions and hence, cannot be held responsible for them. It is also a way of protecting children from being exploited by people who are more experienced than them - e.g. the difference in experience and knowledge between a 13 year old and a 25 year old is quite significant making it very easy for the 25 year old to abuse the relationship.

Your point re boys and enjoyment of s*x would imply that it is impossible for boys to be sexually abused. Biology means that if you m********e a male (young boys included) to o****m, there is no way he cannot experience pleasure. Similarly for girls. This does not mean that they "enjoy" the experience. That a child is seen to get pleasure from being sexually touched is often used as a justification for abuse by many perpetrators.

Legal age should be the same for both genders. The cut off is somewhat arbitrary but 18 is when people are considered adult usually so why not then. s*x between similarly underaged individuals is not prosecuted as illegal where I come from.

Answer 17

the age of consent in the UK is 16. the majority of both sexes have s*x at 16 in UK. i have lived in different towns and that is the average age people lose it. our country isnt as religious as yours.

Also i wanted to have s*x from very young. i am a girl and started masturbating at 12 and love having s*x. i always have done and i always will.

Answer 18

I think it should be, and remain at 18.  it should be the same with both sexes or someone will get mad and say it is sexist.

18 because that is the age people become truly dependent on themselves and are mature enough to take care of themselves.