A-1 (imported) wrote: Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:53 pm
I can see that this discussion is clearly too complicated for an easy answer.
Certainly, age 'differences' of lovers IS significant. It is especially significant in today's modern world. However, there are historic times when it is more blurry. Also, there are times when it is obvious that society ENFORCES its irrational rules upon those who express LOVE to each other and forsake family and society to be true to that love.
Take for example the most often discussed Shakspearian play "Romeo and Juliet"
Some sources place Juliet at age 13, almost 14 while Romeo is 15, maybe 17?
SOURCE#1 (
http://www.shakespeare-online.com/faq/romeofaq.html)
SOURCE#2 (
http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qs ... 5001636493)
Then, there is THIS (
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/04/ ... 4606.shtml) sort of problem...
The problem with 'young love' is primarily sociological. The Western world with a 50% divorce rate hardly qualifies as a perfect sociological example.
So, as age differences of over 5 years make western societies VERY nervous, none can deny from the EVIDENCE (
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... -cent.html) that minor ARE having sex, with whom they have it seems to be their decision. Just because there may be laws against it does not mean that it is not happening.
Then, of course there is THIS (
http://women.propeller.com/story/2008/0 ... -two-years) opinion by a blogger...
If the girl consents, especially if she has a history of molestation by a family member or a close friend, the act of getting pregnant by a male of her choice is a statement of claim to her own body.
I shall not comment on Gay relationships, but similar psychological mechanisms are undoubtedly in existance in these, too.
BUT THIS IS PURE BULLSHIT... (
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx ... derage+sex +incident&articleId=0bf55a89-dbba-489f-8555-cc30d7e81e71)
If I was the goddamned judge on this case I'd marry these two in open court...
But truly, this is OVER the TOP...
So we don't know the particulars of this case, clearly the boy may be acting like a 25 cent stud and in which case, he DESERVES to be accused of molestation.
However, they may be IN LOVE and the girl's family may be trying to split them up.
...you just don't know.
That is why mandatory laws with mandatory penalties are NOT a good idea. This is why we have judges. However, the religious fundaMENTALISTS insist on NO flexibility or discretion on the part of the judge, unless, the judge adheres to the fundamentalists philosophy. A bit like an Arab Muslim-dominated country.
Yet, with a straight face they tell the story in Genesis of Lot and his daughters, after they left Sodom and Gommorrah and Lot's wife is turned into a pillar of salt, who get 'daddy' drunk, take him into a tent and BOTH get pregnant by him... So, lot was 'saved' from fire and brimstone destruction to molest and impregnate his two daughters... so do they burn incest...er... incense at your church?
Do you REALLY want your morality in the Judeo-christian or MUSLIM tradition? Need I remind you about Mohammad's SIX YEAR OLD WIFE?
Therfore, I wish to suspend judgment. Suffice it to say that I know molestation when I see it.
It is a bit like the old lady who calls 911 and tells the operator, Hello! There is a naked man in my bedroom. The operator responds, we will send the police right over. The woman replies, no hurry. Just have them stop by in the morning after breakfast...
So, yes, a pattern of a preditor implies molestation guilt but lovers with only an age difference implies something else entirely.
It is very hard to sit in judgment on these things with mandated laws and still claim to have a shred of humanity...
However, then there is the PREGNANCY PACT (
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080620/ap_ ... nancy_pact) and the SUBSEQUENT DENIAL (
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/06/22/pregnancy.pact.ap/) story...
:shakemitk
Then, there is the story of the mistake that never goes away. (
http://www.talkleft.com/story/2005/10/21/111/94392)
When you look at it in a certain light it is ALL FUCKED UP... beyond repair...
:shakemitk