A
male
age
36-40,
anonymous
writes:I was born in Germany, and I moved to the USA at the age of 12, since I've moved here I have always been curious as to why having sexual intercourse is such a bad act and disrespect to the parents for Teenagers under 18. In my town, it was definitley not unusual for boyfriend and girlfriend to have sex at around 15, it is always taken responsibly, simmilar to drinking in Germany. Sure people can say, if you dont do it carefully there are consequences, but most people that I have met do take responsible action, and if its not a problem in Europe, then why is it such a huge deal here. Also, I have met more conservative parents here than in Germany, and Germany is a very religious country that values tradition, but adapts to modern day and age. Reply to this Question
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male
reader, wizardo +, writes (23 July 2008):
It has more to do with the ability to deal with the consequences of the sexual act than the act itself. A child of 16 is in absolutely no situation to care and provide for an infant. And if they do try, their lives are forever changed and their dreams are kaput, gone. On top of that, usually, the burden of supporting these illegitimate or children of child-parents children will fall upon the state, that is the tax payers. Now, if someone is old enough to consent to sex and understand the everlasting consequences of that act, fine. Let them have all the sex they want. Just don't ask me or any other tax paying citizen to support them or their progeny. This doesn't even take into account the innumerable chances of incurable diseases that underaged sex is probably going to encounter and a some will contract. How tragic that a child of 15 could have a sexual encounter with an HIV positive individual and contract aids. That child will be forever trapped in the stigma of the disease. And it DOES happen. The law is mean to minimize the chances of these things happening. It isn't there to stop someone from enjoying sex.
A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (22 February 2008): I personally feel that sex is when actual sex intercourse is done, P-V contact.
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (21 February 2008): What is Considered "sex"? For instance if the Male and female are in the US but the male is 18 and the female is 17 and the female gives, for lack of better words a "hand job" would that be illegal and considered "Sex"? and the 2nd question would be: If the male "fingers" the woman. Would this be considered illegal due to the male being 18 and the female being 17? Also would these two acts be considered sex?
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A
male
reader, daglish  +, writes (2 September 2007):
 Its basically that way without a clear explanation. After all some people are still big babies after 18, the maturity factor doesnt seem to hold for me.
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (31 August 2007): The legal age is to protect some of the most vulnerable people in society. The reality of it is that most people do have sex younger, just as they do here in England where the legal age is 16, but the stricter laws are simply designed to protect people from predatory adults - nothing wrong with that.
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A
male
reader, Danielepew  +, writes (31 August 2007):
 Being from Latin America, I would like to add something to the debate. Our country was not founded by Puritans, but by Catholics. And is still run by Catholics or former Catholics. However, the age of consent here is 18, and that was established by the left-leaning NGOs. Any thoughts on this?
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A
female
reader, Basschick  +, writes (31 August 2007):
 We're just not as liberal about things like that as other countries are. Case in point, when I was in Paris one summer, I was shocked to see such porongraphic billboads and ad posters right on the street and sidewalks for God and everyone to see, children and all. Europeans are just not as hung up about things like that, wine is one of their main drinks and even children drink it, they are more laid back and less "politically correct" about things and to tell you the truth, it was refreshing. I suppose alot of it has to do with our heritage and because this country was based on Christians fleeing the Roman Catholic church in Europe to form a new breed of Christianity in the 'free world'. Take Amsterdam for instance, where else in the world can you go into a coffee shop and buy pot, and smoke it legally? Lucky stiffs! It's just a different culture than we have here. There are some good things about it, some bad. I hope you can adjust. Welcome to the USA.
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A
female
reader, samohir  +, writes (31 August 2007):
 Because most Americans,at least ordinary ones, have their brains washed my media and comercials... damn , im born in Macedonia, which is one of the most conservative countries... when i was in USA and staying in a family i said i must have headed in wrong direction. They were so conservative about things, so narrow minded i simply cannot explain.
yeah, most americans are not capable to think for themsleves, affected by mass culture, they go to the markets spent plenty of time to read the calories facts, and still have problem with over weight.
It is the same, the girls are infected by mass opinion and media about having their virginity lost at 18 in romantic envirioment,taking so much care about it, putting themselves on stress about whole think and that is the answer. Or at least my opinion, and experiance of USA.
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A
female
reader, penta +, writes (31 August 2007):
 It's what happens when you have a country founded by Puritans.
Seriously, though, in most states a person is not considered an adult until they are 18, and it's not legal for a person to have sex until they're an adult.
Also, there are consequences to sex that people under 18 aren't prepared to deal with (mostly I mean pregnancy or STDs, but I also mean emotional issues).
I personally don't like the "abstinence only" education in the US -- I think a teen makes better decisions when given the whole truth -- but that's where we are right now.
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