The Rants of Issachar
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Foes of the proposed Sexual Consent Law
This morning's National Post has a short column on the opposition to the Conservatives new sexual-consent law. For anyone who doesn't know, it is currently legal under Canadian law for an adult to have sexual relations with anyone aged 14 years and older. The proposed law would raise this to 16 and contain a "close-in age" exemption of 5 years. (So teenagers having sex with each other aren't doing anything illegal, just foolish).
This one appears to be a no-brainer to me. I teach high school, (until the end of June anyway), and I work with teenagers every day. We're talking about ninth graders.
So where are the objections coming from? Justice for Children and Youth, Canadian Federation for Sexual Health, (formerly known as Planned Parenthood), the Canadian AIDS society and Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere. (What does raising the age of sexual consent have to do with a gay rights group?) According to The Post, these groups say there is no reason solid reason to alter the age which has been in place since 1982, and that the changed law could drive teen sex underground.
I fail to see how. The law does not criminalize teen sex. It criminalizes sex between adults and 14-15 year old teenagers. As for a good reason? Making it possible to prosecute adults who seduce 14 year olds? Does anyone else think that's a good reason?
I'm seriously at a loss here. Anyone?
This one appears to be a no-brainer to me. I teach high school, (until the end of June anyway), and I work with teenagers every day. We're talking about ninth graders.
So where are the objections coming from? Justice for Children and Youth, Canadian Federation for Sexual Health, (formerly known as Planned Parenthood), the Canadian AIDS society and Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere. (What does raising the age of sexual consent have to do with a gay rights group?) According to The Post, these groups say there is no reason solid reason to alter the age which has been in place since 1982, and that the changed law could drive teen sex underground.
I fail to see how. The law does not criminalize teen sex. It criminalizes sex between adults and 14-15 year old teenagers. As for a good reason? Making it possible to prosecute adults who seduce 14 year olds? Does anyone else think that's a good reason?
I'm seriously at a loss here. Anyone?
5 Comments:
Posted by: 
GravesI'm impressed that people are willing to change a law that's been in place for over twenty years.
Gorman, I'm with you that this is a no-brainer. Adults should not be allowed to have sex with children. And as for the sexual rights of teenagers, the close-in age exemption should satisfy anyone with the best interest of children in mind.
GravesI'm impressed that people are willing to change a law that's been in place for over twenty years. Gorman, I'm with you that this is a no-brainer. Adults should not be allowed to have sex with children. And as for the sexual rights of teenagers, the close-in age exemption should satisfy anyone with the best interest of children in mind.
Posted by: issacharTry telling my students they're "children"... :P
issacharTry telling my students they're "children"... :P
Posted by: SarahI've got to agree. Adults shouldn't be having sex with 14 years olds. But changing legislation is no substitute for education - 14 years olds still need to know what sex is and what the consequences could be.
SarahI've got to agree. Adults shouldn't be having sex with 14 years olds. But changing legislation is no substitute for education - 14 years olds still need to know what sex is and what the consequences could be.
Posted by: issacharVery true Sarah. Legislation doesn't replace parenting.
issacharVery true Sarah. Legislation doesn't replace parenting.
