I do agree that the government is too lazy to make effective laws, however, I'm not sure that there is a way to make such a law that would be effective across the board. This is mostly due to the fact that there are these differences in mentality in people.

Although the government is too lazy to create effective laws, this is true in many areas and not just this one, the ideal of protecting the young is a good ideal. The young should be protected, but how can we know if they really do need to be protected. I've spoken to people younger then myself that have much more experinece then me in the area of sex, and that are mature enough to completely handle it. Does this maturity in these area deserve any recgonition?

The sliding scale that was presented by matty_boii_13 seems to be an interesting idea, although I'm not sure if it is practical, and some of the problems already disscussed seem to still be present even there. What if there is something of a true love between people outside the age range? Further having a review of it by the government doesn't seem practical at all. And even in this case it seems as though there could be people that could cheat the system. Again pointing to people that are basically players and can fake the emotion.

I was recently reminded of a movie that seems to, at the very least, imply this exact question. "Birth" is about a young boy that is or believes he is the re-incarnation of a woman's husband. There is true love there, or so it seems. Is that a situation that can be allowed? (Granted there is much more to the movie, and it is quite good I recommend seeing it). But is true love enough to overcome all else?

i disagree
a person whose 16 who might be more mature and grounded doesnt have the same level of experience in life as a 21 year old. when your 15-16 you searching for your own identity, finding your own place in the world.

a 21 year old, regardless of him acting immature, has formed parts of his own identity in the world he chooses to act like a 15 year old cuz its his choice to do so. if the 21 year old is immature its because he chooses not to act his own age and is weak because he chooses to act and live in an age where he thinks he'll be secure with. if you put a 16 year old with a 21 year old together and they break up the one that would be worse off would be the younger one cuz he experienced something in which he cant handle as well as a 21 year old could.

as for being a 'hopeless romantic' there is no such thing, 'hopeless romantic' as you put it are people who places their security in other people thats why you 'fall' for people so easily because you hope that the person would make you feel happy and secure and loved. i might be wrong but majority of so called 'hopeless romantics' i assume would not have a relationship longer then say 1/2 year to a whole year. (not saying that there wont be some that would pass a year as a couple.) and thats because the people whom the 'hopeless romantics' fall in, so called 'love' with cant cope with your needs

mercuryheartlover:
I disagree with almost everything you said. I personally had more life experience at 14 than other people I know have at 30. I'm not saying this is always the caes, obviously, but such things can happen.

I also must ask you to define what you mean when you say 'hopeless romantic' because it really does not seem to be the same thing that I mean when I say it. A hopeless romantic does not fall for everyone as you seem to be implying. If I have your meaning completely wrong let me know.

hmm sorry i take it all back i got confused with hopeless romantics with something else nevermind umm i still dont agree with people who get involve when they arent old enough like a 16y.o. with say a 20y.o theres a age difference and mmm teens tend to be needy and teens are trying to find their place in the world.

im not saying the 20 year old wouldnt have trouble finding a place in the world but he'll have about 4 years more experience and people learn at different ages....i have no idea what im talking bout im too tired<br /><br />Post edited by: mercuryheartlover, at: 2007/08/23 03:51

i think this can be answered pretty simply

the age limit is different person to person and age to age because it is a maturity thing. because the partner in any relationship has to be on same level of maturity as the other person, no marriage would survive otherwise (apart from marriages of convenience)

at 14 i will only be comfortable with people around my age, like 12-16 because you are all at similar ages of maturity/puberty.

at my age 17, and because i am more mature than most people of my age, i will be comfortable with anyone from 16 (puberty boundary thing, not a legal one) to about 33, because i can relate to most people in that spectrum, because they have similar levels of maturity to me. anyone above 35 and especially forty, is way of my age.

the person i am currently seeing casually is in fact... 31

a lot of people may jump on me, because they have different maturity perspectives, but between me and him, we really dont, so im comfortable.

the_crampo:
I do have one question about that, how can you really discover if the maturity levels are equal or not? Some people think they are more mature than they are, and some who are older are very immature like teenagers, if someone in tehir 50's acts like a twelve year old does that make it right? And who would be the ultimate judge of if each case should be allowed if it must be judged on a case to case basis?


mercuryheartlover:
Although I agree that some teenagers are needy, so are many adults. The fact is that all people are eternally trying to find their place in the world. And in regards to experience is it the quality, or quantity that is important? Some people live into their 60's with very little variety of experiences, others get exposed to more than they should be at very young ages, so should that also be a factor in your age levels?

Ok firstly... You could have summed that up in less than what you have written, kinda got the jist of what you wanted to discuss in the first para or so..
As I'm 15, and know what I'm doing, age is not a big thing, and shouldnt be too others...
If someone underage or young, and have a grip on reality, although illegal i think they should be able to do what they want.. [in the relationship/sex sense]
I have been with guys about 9 years older than me, nothing to be proud of I know, although it was far from being taken advantage of... It was something that I enjoyed, and which so did he..
I wanted to do and, he was up for it.. so why not !!

Although on the other hand, things such as a 13 and a 40 year old, should be strictly not allowed, as obviously the 13 wouldnt be as developed, mentally to understand and realise what that older guy was trying to do..
so yeah

That can work well for some people, but from the outside looking in how can one be sure that boht people in the relationship are in fact at a point where they are mature enough? For one person at 15 being with someone 9 years older is fine for others it's not, how can we tell for sure when it is a good case and they are fine?

I sa people who are under the age of 18 can't really say that they are emotionally or physically ready for an age-crossed relationship. Older people tend to expect more and do more that no teen really understands. Age has a lot to do with maturity and the emotional stress you can take.

For instance, you were really in love with an older guy/girl and they end it, you probably would get emotional to the max while the other person sees it as no big deal and it will hurt you even more. Younger people kind of over-stretch our emotions to the point where it can possibly send you over the edge.

Do not start a relationship with an older person just because he is more &quot;experienced&quot; or even hot or awesome. Do it because you are looking for a serious relationship becase for one thing, thats what THEY are looking for.

Nothing wrong with 5-10 year age differnce (except when its a 5 year old with a 15 year old), but people who are like 20's dating 50's.. Thats exceeding the age line. Morality does not go very far afrter thatr