On Double Standards and the Age of Consent

[darklotus1211]

I've been pondering on this subject for quite some time, and I just thought I'd put it out for others to consider and hopefully discuss in a rational manner -

This is a subject that could be quite emotive, I realise, but I hope no one flames me for posting on it - I mean no offence to anyone.

There have been more than a few instances of people having

Comments

[darklotus1211]

Very valid points re assault, rape, murder etc -

I'd forgotten about the famous (or infamous, if you like) Gretna Green elopements!

Over here, you have to be 18 now to marry without parental consent, but you can apply for court permission if over 16. The age of consent, however, while 16 if with an adult and 18 if with an adult that has a position of trust (this, however, only pertains to actual penetration - a bit iffy if you ask me)and in some states, allow (well... won't convict, actually) consensual sex from as young as 10, providing there's no more than a two year age gap between partners. I can't help but feel uncomfortable about that one, I'll admit, but it's within the law.

If someone chose to write a story on that subject set in one of the states in Australia where it was legal, while it wouldn't be my cup of tea, and I'd more than likely choose not to read it, I'd still defend their right to write about it without it being classed as a story about an illegal act, because, like it or not, it's not illegal in that context.

I don't mind if writers choose not to stick to the laws of the land if it's fantasy - fantasy, after all, is just that, and most of the HP fan fiction I enjoy is AU to some extent - but I find it hard to see why writers and other artists should be forced to adhere to a fictitious law that doesn't pertain to the era, culture or area written about should the writer choose to use it. HP does cross over into 'muggle' lands, and if the writer wants to write within that cultural setting, including local laws, I can't see why they should be banned from doing so.

At least they should be consistent about it.

If they do it with one fandom, era, culture, whatever... they should do it with all - and the problem is, they don't.

Art is all about freedom of expression and exploring boundaries is one aspect of that. I find an art site that doesn't adhere to that philosophy (especially with a name like deviantart) really can't call itself that. I can understand them not wanting to risk law suits, but in the case of these age of consent restrictions, it's not even a valid argument. It just seems extremely prissy and hypocritical to me - not in an artistic vein at all.