[Dare81]

Who are you or I to say what other people should do with their lives? As long as they are two consenting adults, what is the issue with any two PEOPLE marrying?

Oh my god people, I was just commenting on sex at 16 not about gay marriages.I agree that gay people should be allowed to get married

[ChihuahuaMomma]

I wasn't commenting on your post, I'm commenting on the topic of the thread.

[Dare81]

I wasn't commenting on your post, I'm commenting on the topic of the thread.

Sorry then

[starbuck8]

My initial point was, is that the government is involved in almost every facet of our lives. This turned into a conversation of morality. It's true that what one person calls moral, another may call immoral.

The conversation then turned to the age of consent. Just because someone believes that just because whatever the laws of their country, or religious beliefs, makes it right for a teenager to be mentally or emotionally ready to have sex, or be ready for marriage.

Will they do it anyway?. of course they will. Do most?. unfortunately yes.

Maybe if they understood the ramifications of their actions, at the age they are, they would do things differently. Maybe they wouldn't!

There is definitely a reason why there are so many teenage single mothers, so many young mothers that have either aborted, or put so many children up for adoption, or are living off the system. They were in puberty, and did not have the ability to recognise the consequences of their actions.

A 16 yr. old, or much younger as some people claim to be just the norm. is just not ready for the responsibily that comes with having sex at that age.

Clunk... fell off my soap box again.

[ChihuahuaMomma]

I agree Starbs. Couldn't agree more. I have two friends and a cousin (all under 20) that recently got pregnant. One is continuing with the pregnancy and plans to be a single mother, one continued with her pregnancy and just gave her baby up for adoption (open adoption), and one aborted. And to see the changes and challenges with these girls has really showed me lots. And solidified my desire to not have babies until at least 28.

[Dare81]

Maybe in the U.S this is true but for most underdeveloped countries it is not

[ChihuahuaMomma]

Please be more specific... which part are you referring to?

[starbuck8]

Maybe in the U.S this is true but for most underdeveloped countries it is not

And that is very sad!

[Dare81]

Marriage and sex at 16

[ChihuahuaMomma]

A lot of that has to do with the life expectancy being shorter because of poor health care. So women have children and start families a lot younger.

In America ((and a lot of other countries)) we have a longer life expectancy and want our youth to get an education before making adult choices that can change their lives.

[starbuck8]

I agree Starbs. Couldn't agree more. I have two friends and a cousin (all under 20) that recently got pregnant. One is continuing with the pregnancy and plans to be a single mother, one continued with her pregnancy and just gave her baby up for adoption (open adoption), and one aborted. And to see the changes and challenges with these girls has really showed me lots. And solidified my desire to not have babies til at least 28.

I think that is a responsible choice actually CM. By then you've got a stable life -- well you would only hope most would -- and you have had time to plan, and the experience and resources needed, to raise a child. Teenagers just think that sex is fun, a baby might be "fun", we see it every single day on the boards don't we! :rolleyes:

[Dare81]

Mr Waites, The Age of Consent: Young People, Sexuality and Citizenship

He is Professor of sociology in Glasgow university Mattew Waites has added his voice to those calling for reduction in the age of consent from 16 to 14 in Britain.Other studies have shown that fixing the age of consent at 16 criminalises above 50% of young people in UK(INTERNATIONAL CHILD AND YOUTH CARE) NETWORK)

The Haworth Press Online Catalog: Article Abstract

The fact is that even until the 18th century, reaching puberty meant becoming an “adult”, in terms of maturity, behavior and responsibility, as stated in the Journal of Social History, Online Etymology Dictionary, Journal of Marriage and the Family, and numerous academic references.

• Children now in developing countries now and then faced the daily struggle for physical and economic survival,[] and while this type of “environmental stress” actually causes puberty at a younger age, it is proven to have also speeded psychological maturity. This maturity helped in coping with the responsibilities of early marriage and childbearing.


•It was only in the industrial mid-18th century that psychological maturity started to delay, due to side effects that are proven to delay maturity such as: increasing comforts of life, diminished parental guidance and that “children remained children longer to complete their education


2“Life history theory” states that in a less stable environment, “natural selection will favor individuals that reproduce earlier... within a population


For people asking for the links here they are. You can make up your own mind

[ChihuahuaMomma]

Thank you Starbs, I agree... I want to thoroughly enjoy my 20's... I even have a TO-DO list of fun things that I need to do before starting a family. Sort of like a "bucket list", sorry for the eerie comparison.

[ChihuahuaMomma]

Dare, can you please stop quoting and tell us what YOU think?

[Dare81]

I think that is a responsible choice actually CM. By then you've got a stable life -- well you would only hope most would -- and you have had time to plan, and the experience and resources needed, to raise a child. Teenagers just think that sex is fun, a baby might be "fun", we see it every single day on the boards don't we!! :rolleyes:

This is a very U.S centric view. When I was 14 I was working in a sugar mill in Pakistan and so was my sis to support our family.All the other children working with me certainly did not think,behave or act like 14 year old from the u.s

[ChihuahuaMomma]

And that's because they are forced to grow up before they have to. That is not a fault of their own, but that certainly doesn't justify a 14 year old having sex (in my eyes)

[Dare81]

Dare, can you please stop quoting and tell us what YOU think?

I think starbucks is right when she says that 16 year old here in the u.s probably are not old enough to have sex, but this does not hold true in most underdeveloped countries where they are old and mature enough to get married at 16

[starbuck8]

I agree that children in underdeveloped countries, have hardships that we will never know. I still don't believe it is healthy, mentally or physically for a child to have sexual relationships.

Mr. Waites, just from what I read, is speaking of 18th century beliefs. Well the medical community has come a long way! There are many things they didn't know about in the 18th century.

[starbuck8]

I think starbucks is right when she says that 16 year old here in the u.s probably are not old enough to have sex, but this does not hold true in most underdeveloped countries where they are old and mature enough to get married at 16

It doesn't matter what country you are from. You may be forced to grow up sooner than you should, but this has got nothing to do with actual "maturity" in a medical sense.

I'm out for the night kids, it's 2:30am, and I'm fading! G'nite!

[Dare81]

The 18th century belief is a separate article.the article also talks about underdeveloped countries


For Mr watts book could not find the link to his book. I have a hard copy