a little freedom, even hypothetical freedom, makes people panic

I've lived in countries where the age of consent is 15 and 16, and the number of teens dating people twice their age is very small even there.

Maybe we should discuss our society's frequent Hypothetical Moral Panics.

In the 80s I talked to a trad who was adamantly opposed to legalizing prostitution. He was sure that such a change would dramatically increase the number of men paying for it. (we have lots of data proving that false)

In the 80s I talked to lots of trads who firmly believed that if we legalize marijuana everyone will be stoned all the time, no one will go to work and the economy will collapse. (we now have lots of data proving that false)

There was a similar panic about the end of all marriages if we let the queers have weddings.

Now peeps are terrified that the State isn't doing enough to police the bodies of young women who might decide to make love to an "age-inappropriate" partner.

It's a simple matter of fact that most 15 year olds don't have sex anyway, and sex being legal or not isn't the deciding factor for them.

A change in the law, quite likely, wouldn't change anyone's behavior at all.

There would be a psychological boost tho'

Lowering the age of consent would send a positive message of "Hey, they treat me with a bit of respect"

#SPR860