Yeppers... I am with @Maw. I am completely against sex with minors. I understand its hard to make bright line rules in this area. So I do believe that the when we are talking about the 15,16 and 17 age ranges that we should also look at the age of the accused. There is a massive difference, imo, of a 15 year old and an 18 year old having consensual sex than a 16 year old and a 26 year old.

I not studied this subject and I do agree that the all of my consensual sexual encounters before the age of 17 did not adversely affect me even though I was always the younger partner. BUT.... there is just too much risk involved in not heavily and strictly enforcing these laws.

Statutory Rape in my State is one of the very few "Strict Liability Laws" (meaning there is no requirement of mens rea - intent or even knowledge)

I like Washington's take on it, and Arizona's take on it. I wish the "by relationship" in Washington was 18 though.

Ah... I see. I might have missed that.... Depending on the level of the handicap there is a built in defense in most states... at least as to criminal intent. But as I just mentioned with Strict Liability Laws... in my State they would probably still be convicted so long as they were competent to stand trial

I think it's a good sort of system they have in that aspect.

Because I think age has a pretty key factor in positions of authority/power, so I don't think you could say a 16 year old wouldn't feel obliged to do stuff with someone older and more established.

Hence why I squint at 16.

The real point is pretty simple. Barring some sort of mental impairment we need to legislate against adults having sexual intercourse with minors. That has to be where we start. Then we can carve out some specific defenses or mitigating factors such as the age gap and mental ability of the adult in the situation.

But we also need to realize that a 17 year old having sex with a 12 year old, though both minors, is something we need to legislate against.

Agreed.

Nice points.

Parents can fail their child in this regard. Surely we can be logical prosecutors lawyers and adults when imposing justice in these and all bad choices

Thanks, it's actually a misconception I think people have that the left is easy on this sort of stuff, when they really aren't.

Because usually people on the left are very adamant about bringing up relationship power dynamics.

(Which is relative to the ability of being even able to consent)

Im a godless progressive liberal and I am very much for strict laws related to this sort of issue

@Massie1223

Oh... and a snowflake as well

Good to hear snow flake. I'm just messing with you JD. After all you labeled yourself. I love this social site. I love hearing or reading the differing and logical views

Power dynamics are why a lot of lefties feel like Trump was talking about the r-word when he said his infamous 'locker room talk'.

They have a sort of social equation that they equate that behavior to 'r-word'.

And it's another reason he's seen as such a divisive figure by the left.

History is comprised of male dominance sorry to say but it also was the males roll to provide for and protect females and children. Words like Trump's were of a male dominated society. I would be offended as well but I can get beyond it as long as the behavior changes and clearly that has happened

Except it's worse than that to lefties.

Yeah... we have very very liberal social views as they related to consenting adults. But we make a very fast 180 when consent is questioned as it relates to the power dynamic or age.

He's in a position of power and authority, not asking for consent, and inappropriately fondling someone without their consent. This is seen as the 'r-word' to lefties.

Then they see him bragging about being able to do it. It's a main reason they hate the dude.

Well.. not the main reason. But its very emblematic of why we dislike him

Okay, one of the key reasons.

Half of the Country has forgiven the comment and were reassured when false accusers were exposed. The left keep the conversation alive to usurp the Presidency

The other side didn't forgive him because he showed no signal that he changed that sort of thought pattern.

I really wasn't old enough to form an opinion but when I look back and see where some liberal defending Bill Clinton and Monica because it was consenting adults and none of our business, I found it to be very hypocritical of them.

But to defend my Snowflake tribe a bit..... A LOT of progress has been made over the last few years. Which is also why I didnt drop the hammer on Trump for his "locker room talk" because that was not super recent.

And the passing of time does not eliminate fault or blame on the part of either of them... its still important to take all things in the context of that particular period in time.

👍

All they saw was after that comment, was he paid off Stormy.

Presumably

No proof

I just felt like some liberal were trying to have it both ways. They defended Clinton saying it was consensual ignoring the massive power dynamic and that the era was different.

But then they did not allow Trump any of those same mitigating factors when the "grab em" tape was released.

Im liberal and I have my biases I know... but I really despise hypocrisy

So here here comes the hammer

What Clinton did was absolutely unacceptable.

It's another reason I highly dislike the Clintons.

You will never see me defending the sort of behavior we are discussing regardless of a D or R after their names

I don't know how y'all handle the vast topics. My head is hiring already

Hurting