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The DOTD (Debate of the Day) | by slayer | 2002-08-26 04:43:33 |
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I smell a flame war, but here's my opinion: | by chuckab | 2002-08-26 05:10:42 |
| I agree. |
by plblark |
2002-08-26 05:43:59 |
There have been some good points made so far, and I expect this thread to grow.
Here’s my take on things:
The age restrictions are intended to determine two standards:
Understanding of Consequences
Fiscal Ability
As to Age-Of-Consent (sex)
Understanding of consequence
Sure, a small child can play doctor, but can they understand the changes that will have to be made in their lives if they continue their behavior past puberty?
Do we say: You can play doctor from birth til 8 then NOT until you’re 18? Otherwsie, we’d have children conditioned to think that sex was safe and when they hit puberty there could be issues.
Also, since an 8-year old could posibly get pregnant, we need to consider the ability to cope with the outcomes. Could an 8-yr-old effictively raise a child? Aside from some obscure and freakishly rare example which I’m sure someone will try and throw out there, I’dsay NO.
Fiscal ability
Can this young pregnant woman / couple afford to support their offspring? Can they affor to pay for any alternative?
As to Drinking:
Consequences:
I think that If you’re old enough to go to war, you’re old enough to drink. But, they say that the armed forces instill discipline and willpower into their recruits. MN and WI, USA had drinking ages of 18-19 for awhile, but eventually went back to 21 because the rise in DWI/DUI/traffic deaths was too much to bear. At what age do you lose the “I’m invulnerable” feeling? I don’t know, but for me it was somewhere around 25. For some, it never happens. Maybe part of the Understanding of consequences here is the realization that my actions affect others and the loss of a self-centered all-about-me attitude. Some people never reach this.
Fiscal ability:
Not really present here. Maybe by setting the age higher, you will be more established and able ot pay reparations if you are irresponsible with alcohol?
I agree tha using age to determine maturity and ability to decide is problematic, but what other litmus test would you apply to make these decisions. By using age, you are assuring both physical maturity and worldly experience. Hopefully, better decisions would apply
How did 3rd-cousins get involved? I think it's No FIRST cousins here in MN. ANd studies have shown that the risk isn't as much in the first generation of intermarriage, it's in the subsequent ones. The risks rise exponentially. I thin kthe US is so severe about this because we started from several iolated religous communities. I'll be dissapointed if the thread goes off in the direction of in-breeding. Not surprised, just disapointed :-( |
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[ Reply ] |
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But fiscal responsbility | by slayer | 2002-08-26 06:13:02 |
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fortunately, luckypup was more eloquent than I | by plblark | 2002-08-26 06:17:33 |
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I think | by caffine-iv | 2002-08-26 06:25:04 |
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A correction | by Maluga | 2002-08-26 07:19:50 |
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At which time, | by caffine-iv | 2002-08-26 07:24:36 |
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wouldn't that raise the dependance of minors | by plblark | 2002-08-26 07:26:12 |
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Hmmm... that makes sense | by paradigmxp | 2002-08-26 10:49:58 |
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