4 ms·

Not the main point of the article, so off topic, but isn’t “underage children” a pleonasm? Or is it a term that respects that we are all someone’s child, so als

Not the main point of the article, so off topic, but isn’t “underage children” a pleonasm? Or is it a term that respects that we are all someone’s child, so also when we reach adulthood? The term seems to suggest there is an age from which it is acceptable for children to receive sexual attention from adults. I prefer to think that there is no such age. Most people would probably agree with this. Pleonasms are very common; “your personal belongings” is a funny one. In the case of ‘underage children’ though, it undermines the message.

yorwba 8y ago
> Most people would probably agree with this. I think you might be overestimating how common your opinion is. In many (maybe most) countries, children are considered capable of consent even before they are granted all privileges of adulthood. Sometimes it's only if the partner is underage as well, but then one will be an adult sooner than the other, so there are exceptions for cases where the age difference is small. Because of the various exceptions in traditional consent law in contrast to bright-line rules against child pornography (below 18 is illegal, no exceptions), it's possible for legal sex to become illegal as soon as there's a camera between the participants. The best-known cases are probably of teens being prosecuted for child pornography when they take nude selfies.
- mosselman 8y ago
  What you say is true for interpersonal relationships. The article is about imagery with an erotic element. So in the context of erotic photography I think that most countries would consider participation of children illegal and I think most people would agree with that. So I'd think that in the context of the article it could be a pleonasm, but an understandable one then.
henriquemaia 8y ago
Well, you can have shared belongings, as with things you own with your family members (usually spouse). So my personal belongings is a valid distinction, not a pleonasm.
- mosselman 8y ago
  It depends on the context. In case of selling a house while you have shared belongings with the neighbours, then yes. When the train conductor says: "Don't forget your personal belongings when leaving the train", then it is a pleonasm as the distinction is probably not intentional; I doubt the conductor wants you to leave your shared belongings in the train.

yorwba 8y ago

> Most people would probably agree with this. I think you might be overestimating how common your opinion is. In many (maybe most) countries, children are considered capable of consent even before they are granted all privileges of adulthood. Sometimes it's only if the partner is underage as well, but then one will be an adult sooner than the other, so there are exceptions for cases where the age difference is small. Because of the various exceptions in traditional consent law in contrast to bright-line rules against child pornography (below 18 is illegal, no exceptions), it's possible for legal sex to become illegal as soon as there's a camera between the participants. The best-known cases are probably of teens being prosecuted for child pornography when they take nude selfies.

mosselman 8y ago
What you say is true for interpersonal relationships. The article is about imagery with an erotic element. So in the context of erotic photography I think that most countries would consider participation of children illegal and I think most people would agree with that. So I'd think that in the context of the article it could be a pleonasm, but an understandable one then.

henriquemaia 8y ago

Well, you can have shared belongings, as with things you own with your family members (usually spouse). So my personal belongings is a valid distinction, not a pleonasm.

mosselman 8y ago
It depends on the context. In case of selling a house while you have shared belongings with the neighbours, then yes. When the train conductor says: "Don't forget your personal belongings when leaving the train", then it is a pleonasm as the distinction is probably not intentional; I doubt the conductor wants you to leave your shared belongings in the train.