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Isn't that just a statement of contemporary popular standards? They're not rules set in stone. The definitions of "underage" and "consent" are not nearly as cle

Isn't that just a statement of contemporary popular standards? They're not rules set in stone. The definitions of "underage" and "consent" are not nearly as clear cut as you might hope. Lots of people (in couples) have sex as a kind of trade for something they want. Is that consensual? What if it's a trade for something really really important to them? What if it's a trade to avoid being verbally abused by your partner? What if it's for money you need to survive? Regarding age of consent, what if a mature 15yr old seduces a naive and vulnerable 21yr old and causes lasting emotional harm? How is that "none of my business" but the reverse isn't? What if a 16 year old from England travels to America and has sex with a 20 year old? Is that OK (UK law) or not (US law)? What you call a revolution sounds more like the way it already is for many people, and is full of arbitrary and changeable definitions that unfairly discriminate against harmless activity while also allowing harmful activity.

gaius 11y ago
This is one thing the EU has yet to work up the courage for, "harmonizing" the age of consent, which varies from 13 to 16 in member countries.
- kwhitefoot 11y ago
  Why should the EU harmonize such things? I'm not necessarily disagreeing but it would be interesting to see the reasoning.
  - gaius 11y ago
    Because harmonizing things is what it does, it is bound to make the attempt at some point. It will be very interesting see how member countries react...
nailer 11y ago
> Isn't that just a statement of contemporary popular standards? No. Some sexual acts are still seemed shameful by society.
rm_-rf_slash 11y ago
I find Japan's model of consent ages intriguing. I believe the standard age is 18, but exceptions can be made with parental consent down to 13. Not that it should be 13, but I do think it's rather absurd to create legal issues for, say, a 16-year old and a 19-year old who have been dating for three years,

gaius 11y ago

This is one thing the EU has yet to work up the courage for, "harmonizing" the age of consent, which varies from 13 to 16 in member countries.

kwhitefoot 11y ago
Why should the EU harmonize such things? I'm not necessarily disagreeing but it would be interesting to see the reasoning.
- gaius 11y ago
  Because harmonizing things is what it does, it is bound to make the attempt at some point. It will be very interesting see how member countries react...

nailer 11y ago

> Isn't that just a statement of contemporary popular standards? No. Some sexual acts are still seemed shameful by society.

rm_-rf_slash 11y ago

I find Japan's model of consent ages intriguing. I believe the standard age is 18, but exceptions can be made with parental consent down to 13. Not that it should be 13, but I do think it's rather absurd to create legal issues for, say, a 16-year old and a 19-year old who have been dating for three years,