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]Ms. Toad
(34,244 posts)about sex for their students?
I am talking about the legal standard. A criminal conviction for rape or sexual assault between high school peers (or college peers) should not be based solely on the mere fact of sexual activity, which - in most instances - was freely chosen by both parties. I think the percentage of high school students engaged in sexual relationships is around 25%. I don't think that is a good thing - but I don't think it should be criminal just because it took place and one of the kids (in the same peer group) had crossed the magic age barrier before s/he graduated from high school.
As for the parents -
There are a lot of things kids do (including dating or having sexual relationships) that parents don't approve of, or that violate family rules. They should be free to use whatever parenting tools they have to enforce the family rules as long as their child is a minor. Ground the child. Require double dates with a trusted adult. Prohibit the child from seeing the partner. Impose curfews. There are all sorts of things a parent can do to address what they believe to be inappropriate behavior. But my bottom line is that if the relationship is consensual between the kids, but the parents do not approve of it, resolving it should be a parenting matter, not a criminal one.
If truly isn't consensual, that can still be proven in court.