At what age is it okay to have sex?
This is the age old question and everyone has a different opinion. However, this debate has been settled since Parliament amended the law decriminalising sexual activity among consenting children.
The amendment states that it is no longer a crime when two children aged 12 to 15, or a child under 16 and another child over 16 where the age difference is less than two years, engage in sexual activities – including penetrative intercourse.
Say what! I think this is completely insane. How is this going to prevent children from having sex and being responsible?
The Department of Social Development seems to think that these changes to the bill addresses the issue of responsible childhood sexual activity, but I think it is going to cause more harm than good.
Giving 12-year-olds a “license” to have sex with their girlfriend or boyfriend is not going to make them more responsible. If anything, knowing that it is illegal would rather deter them.
Perhaps I have blinkers on when it comes to this subject, but I think that sex is complicated emotionally and I do not think that children have the mental capacity to understand the emotions that are associated with sexual intercourse.
I also do not think that children should be raising children of their own. Being a parent is not easy for adults, so can you just imagine how difficult it is for a child. I think parents have failed their children if they allow them to do what they like.
A child at this age cannot vote, or get a driver’s license, or even get a job – so how can they be allowed to have sex and potentially fall pregnant?
What are your thoughts?
Related article:
POLL: 12- to 15- year-olds can now have sex
GALLERY: The birds and the bees
