So do you think it is a good thing that 30 year old men can date 15-17 year old girls? Obviously there is a vast difference between the maturity of a 17 year old compared to a 30 year old.
Whether I personally happen to think it is a good thing is irrelevant to whether or not criminal prosecutions are the best course of action. If, as in Michelle's case, no one views themselves as being hurt or victimized, then there is no reason for law enforcement to get involved. I don't understand why a 30 year old man would want to date a teenage girl, and I find it kind of creepy, but unless someone is clearly being harmed there is no reason for the government to get involved. Also, I don't think there is a clear difference between the maturity of a 17 year old and a 30 year old. I have met exceptionally mature and intelligent teenagers and exceptionally immature people who are middle-aged. Age is not an accurate indicator of maturity.
I'm not agruing for "control" over anyone. I'm explaining a reality. Do you have any suggestions how how we can program men to stop abusing young girls? because that sure is a big problem.
This is a straw man because no one is arguing that men should be allowed to abuse young girls (or, for that matter, women of any age).
Perhaps the fact that they are dependants, they are not-fully-developped children who require guidance, financial protection and every other bit of care under the sun?
Sounds to me like exactly the same arguments that have been used for centuries to keep women under the control of men. Oh, but with children those statements are [i]really[/i] true, right? I'm not convinced. Those are social roles we put people into, not natural biological categories carved in stone.
Youth are also not allowed to drive until age 16. Is that controlling behaviour by adults? Definitely and it is necessary!
Laws preventing younger people from driving may be necessary to prevent them from harming other people, but they should not be used to prevent them from harming themselves. That being said, I don't see why we couldn't allow someone under 16 to drive assuming they could demonstrate the necessary competence.