Discussions about the age of consent laws are not common but it is important to show the truth about how these laws affect a modern generation of underage teenagers. Most adults think of teenagers as unable to give their consent to have sex and although there are safety risks for unprepared teens, lowering the age of consent in California from eighteen years to sixteen would benefit the teenagers and the state in the long run. In order to lower the age of consent, it is crucial to first understand the laws, give teenagers proper sex education and take a look at how it affects everyone and how the potential changes could improve the lives of teenagers. On the other hand, changing the age of consent laws could mean trouble for the unprepared
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Melissa Kang writes in her article, "Age of Consent Laws: Puritan Notions of Right and Wrong," that “In a civilized world that acknowledges the rights of the child, young people also need some say in what the law does and does not let them do.” Teenagers should be able to easily access quality sex education and programs that can provide them with knowledge about contraceptives and information about abortions. They should be able to have a say in what education they receive and the decisions they make. Kang provides a very important fact when she says, “In other places where there is openness towards addressing sexuality and easier access to health information and services, adolescent pregnancy rates are lower.” Sex education classes, are “watered down” in the sense that no one really understands the graphic consequences of diseases or how to properly use contraceptives to prevent them and unwanted pregnancies. If teenagers were given full courses in proper sex education, there would be more awareness and a new level of maturity could be formed. Although there are positive aspects to lowering the age of consent, there are also negative aspects that need addressing.In Dan Jarvis’ “Sweet 16: Age of Consent Should Be Raised,” he talks about how the age of consent should be raised to twenty-one years of age. He points out that young people are manipulated into having sex with adults and they contract diseases easily. Jarvis also points out that, “Michigan law prohibits minors under 18 from drinking, smoking, getting tattoos or purchasing lottery tickets, yet sets the age for consent to sex at 16. In short, a minor can consent to sex; they just can't enjoy a good cigarette afterwards” (Jarvis, 2009). He means that the state is not making the right choices for young people and that the age of consent has to rise to coincide with things adults have permission to do. Jarvis says that
Melissa Kang writes in her article, "Age of Consent Laws: Puritan Notions of Right and Wrong," that “In a civilized world that acknowledges the rights of the child, young people also need some say in what the law does and does not let them do.” Teenagers should be able to easily access quality sex education and programs that can provide them with knowledge about contraceptives and information about abortions. They should be able to have a say in what education they receive and the decisions they make. Kang provides a very important fact when she says, “In other places where there is openness towards addressing sexuality and easier access to health information and services, adolescent pregnancy rates are lower.” Sex education classes, are “watered down” in the sense that no one really understands the graphic consequences of diseases or how to properly use contraceptives to prevent them and unwanted pregnancies. If teenagers were given full courses in proper sex education, there would be more awareness and a new level of maturity could be formed. Although there are positive aspects to lowering the age of consent, there are also negative aspects that need addressing.In Dan Jarvis’ “Sweet 16: Age of Consent Should Be Raised,” he talks about how the age of consent should be raised to twenty-one years of age. He points out that young people are manipulated into having sex with adults and they contract diseases easily. Jarvis also points out that, “Michigan law prohibits minors under 18 from drinking, smoking, getting tattoos or purchasing lottery tickets, yet sets the age for consent to sex at 16. In short, a minor can consent to sex; they just can't enjoy a good cigarette afterwards” (Jarvis, 2009). He means that the state is not making the right choices for young people and that the age of consent has to rise to coincide with things adults have permission to do. Jarvis says that