To Catch a Contradiction

[archangel__7]

I spent much of last Saturday night watching this show hosted by Chris Hansen entitled To Catch a Predator. And unless you've seen the show, chances are you won't fully understand the intensity of my sentiment in this post

Comments

[virtual_anima]

Do you think in the future pedophilia will be accepted?

There's a fundamental difference between pedophilia and homosexuality. Homosexuals do not create mental harm by being homosexual with each other. Pedophilia causes TONS of mental harm to the child victim.

In this way your equation is horribly wrong.

[99catsaway]

I was really hoping he was taking aim more at parental notification laws and not at the morality of homosexuality. But I am not sure since he mentioned both themes.

[eeepeeep]

But would it surprise you if the age of consent dropped at some point in the future to include 16 or 14 year olds? With the way our society is going I wouldn't be surprised.

[99catsaway]

I thought it included 16 year olds in some states...

[eeepeeep]

That sounds familiar, but I'm not 100% sure on the laws. I meant the comment to imply a nationwide acceptance being the cause of legal change, rather then legal change by itself.

[99catsaway]

Hmm...I'm not sure I see that.

What about society would make you think they would lower the ages further? Just because there's an increased desire to allow minors to have a little bodily integrity does not mean that there's an increased desire for states to want to allow 40 year olds to hook up with them. In fact, it would suggest just the opposite, to me. More concern about minors' bodily integrity --> more concern about keeping them from being victimized.

I don't have data offhand, but in this case I can see the exact opposite mechanism working than one you might be suggesting.

[eeepeeep]

Why, surely the 14 year olds should only hook up with other 14 year olds. After all, that gives them "bodily integrity" without causing any developmental problems.

[99catsaway]

I don't think you really addressed the question that I asked: What about society would make you think they would lower the ages further?

[eeepeeep]

Chalk it up to disgust at the general moral leanings I see in my day to day life. While the people I interact with are only a tiny sampling of those out there, I fear they could serve as an accurate microcosm.

[99catsaway]

What about their morals? Sex before marriage? Homosexuality? Embezzlement? Murder?

Yep

[telemann]

West Virginia used to be 15, they changed it to 18.

[sasha_davidovna]

It does, and you can get married at 14 in others. (With parental consent.)

[squidb0i]

I highly doubt it will go below 16 ever, unless women again become chattel..

[eeepeeep]

To me it seems women have again become chattel by their own wishes.

[starkruzr]

Yeah, okay.

[kolden]

i'd be ok with that