General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Is it okay for a 18 year old to have sex with a 14 year old [View all]LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)I don't pretend to know one way or the other.
We create imaginary and arbitrary lines for so many things; it's completely legal to drink on the day of one's 21st birthday, but try it 24 hours earlier, and one may be in quite a bit of legal trouble. Engage in sex with a person who turns 18 in three hours and it could be statutory rape... wait three hours and it's perfectly fine.
I don't disagree with the emplacement by a society of arbitrary standards as they allow us to better define the social mores that all cultures depend upon, but if, or when those arbitrary standards no longer reflect our culture, they should be re-evaluated.
Loving v. the state of VA in 1966 (?) and the issue of gay marriage in the here and now illustrate that far too often, the state may lag rather far behind the current evolution of social mores.
So I play it safe, and avoid any sweeping indictments of a statute or a law, and rather focus on how that statute or law applies to a specific and particular case. In the specific and particular case I imagine is being alluded to, I have no negative judgment.
Note for idiots: as qualified in the last three grafs, does not mean I think X is fine or Y is horrible... X and Y being whatever imaginary or non-fictional case you may bring up to contrast and compare... and validate your own opinions with.