AGE OF CONSENT PERSUASIVE ESSAY

            The age of Consent is the minimum age in which one can consent to a sexual act. The age of consent’s purpose is to protect minors from sexual predators. The age of consent should be changed when one considers the evaluation of maturity, unjust laws, and varying circumstances.

The first reason the age of consent should be changed is that people mature at different rates. When does responsibility begin? In most states, 16 is the age to get your drivers license. Although you can learn to fly at ages 14 and 15, even children as young as 11 can start flying lessons. How are these rules and regulations logical? These are only some of the factors that prove the age of consent should be made dependent on an individuals control and ability, rather than their birthdays.

The second reason the age of consent should be altered is because of unjust laws. The laws we currently have accuse the older partner as a molester. By definition a molester is one who subjects a minor to unwanted sex or improper sex. This law has been abused in the regards of consensual sex; where both the minor and legal age participant agree to the act and it is not forced. It is understandable that sex should not be permitted to young teens, although that should not give us the right to manipulate laws.

Circumstances should also determine whether the age of consent is applied. The age of consent is used to protect victims of sexual assault and/or rape. When sex is not forced or manipulated the age of consent should not be applied. For example, if an 18 year old has sex with his girlfriend who is 16 years old and the sex is in no way forced; the age of consent law should not apply. In this common situation there is not a victim who needs to protection. Both parties are innocent of crimes. A situation where the age of consent is effective is when an 18 year old or older forces or manipulates sex on a minor. In this situation there is a victim, the minor, and a criminal, the molester.

The age of consent is faltered when one considers maturity, unjust laws, and circumstances. Sex at a young age is not desirable but it does happen; more than half of teens under 18 years old have consented to sex. The age of consent law is unlawful because it manipulates and convicts innocent people.