Totalitarianist

I disagree.

What if the child is perfectly educated on the subject of sex? What if a man aged fourty did not understand sex? By your logic, he too should not be engaging in it. Also, tell me why the constitution of a child's mind is such that he is utterly incapable of comprehending the "sex" situation. I say that "age" is again irrelevant; the question, as you stated it, is the child's understanding, and not his age.

Also, I can say that I perfectly understood it when I was younger than twelve owing in part to education.

So long as they are sufficiently educated. So long as the people, regardless of age, are "capable of fully understanding a situation like sex". That is the question!
If the toddler is intelligent and educated enough to understand politics and all relevant discplines, then what is the problem? Of course, there are no toddlers likes this, but that is not question. It ought to be determined by whether one is qualified or not: not one's age, race, etc.

Dominus Paradoxum

Yes, but you see, contrary to popular belief, some people's opinions don't matter. Yours is one of them.



No, I am afraid that is not the question. It has noting to do with either education or intelligence. The issue is whether or not the person has reached such a level of maturity that they are capable of making that kind of a decision. Maturity is something that only comes with years of experience. Even child progidies still act like children.

Totalitarianist

A very weak criticism, plus an attack.

In what way exactly does this behavioural "maturity" affect one's ability to comprehend the "sex"situation?

Or as I said previously:

And what of immature adults whose sexual behaviour is identical to mature adults?

Who is "they"? I thought it was "the person". You mean "the person".

1) What is the correct level of maturity with which to make that decision? Perhaps you could tell us the average age at which people reach that level.

2) Why is that particular level of maturity absolutely necessary for one to be qualified for making decisions of that nature?

3) What exactly is a "bad" decision of this nature on the part of a young person, and what makes it a bad decision? Should he determine his decisions by reason of the possible harmful effects induced thereby?

Calzaer

Would I be a bad parent if I let my 4-year-old drive the tractor? If so, why? Aren't you being ageist for suggesting that a 4 year old can't be intelligent enough to drive a tractor?

Totalitarianist

the word "parent" is unnecessary. The age is unnecessary. Would you be a bad person if you let anyone for whom you were responsible drive a tractor when that person was clearly not capable of properly controlling a tractor?

Also, this is a poor analogy because driving a tractor is something which requires skill, and a lack of skill on the part of the person in control of the tractor could cause serious damage. Such is not the case with the sexual act.

August Spies

Totalitarian:

I say that "age" is again irrelevant; the question, as you stated it, is the child's understanding, and not his age.

Lucky for us there is a STRONG correlation between the two things. Luckily because we can't regulate understanding, but we can regulate age.

So long as they are sufficiently educated. So long as the people, regardless of age, are "capable of fully understanding a situation like sex".

But only a fool would pretend that age doesnt' factor into your understanding. If you disagree with me please explain how a 2 year old could fully understand sex. How about a 2 week old baby.
or wait.... do little kids not count in ageism?

If the toddler is intelligent and educated enough to understand politics and all relevant discplines, then what is the problem? Of course, there are no toddlers likes this, but that is not question. It ought to be determined by whether one is qualified or not: not one's age, race, etc.

are you proposing some type of system where being able to vote, have sex, be in porn, drive etc... is based on tests on each individual in the country?

this is a poor analogy because driving a tractor is something which requires skill, and a lack of skill on the part of the person in control of the tractor could cause serious damage. Such is not the case with the sexual act.

sounds like someone is a virgin

August Spies

Totalitarian:

Im not going to pretend to be a psychologist, but from what ive read there are certainly things about a young childs mind that make them less able to understand things.

Also, I am really surprised you would say sex can't cause serious damage. I would think our culture has been so immersed in fruedian psychology by now to know sex can cause SERIOUS psychological damage. Especially sexual stuff when young.

emphryio

Totalitarian:

Do you think all porn is bad and should be illegal?

For instance what if a couple tape theirselves making love and want others to get to see their beautiful act? Well? Does that hurt anyone? Should it be illegal?

The Naked Mage

And it also sounds like someone is going to stay that way long after the earth has crashed into the sun

Totalitarianist

August: I do not believe that there is "understanding" which has nothing to do with education involved in sex. Only education can give us understanding of the sexual act. For otherwise it is to us pure sensation, just as much in you as in a child. Although the sensations are not as developed in a child as in an adult, still, their understanding of them and feelings for them without education is identical to that of anyone else. I doubt mankind really understood it five thousand years ago. There is no "maturity" involved in sensations which wellnigh everyone can experience. Obviously savages are in the habit of indulging in the sexual act, and no one asserts that the majority of savages understand the whole process of procreation. Such understanding only education can provide. Is this education required? Obviously not. Therefore, understanding is not required.

I maintain that the uneducated child has just as much understanding of it as the uneducated adult. It is pure sensation, like sight, and no one maintains that an education or "understanding" is required to sense it, and I disagree with any man that maintains that this very recent understanding of the sexual act in human history is requisite to justify sensing it; to say the contrary would be equal to acknowledging crimes of thought. Children find it nearly as pleasing as adults; to me it is just as detestable as all other forms of non-procreative sex.