# Age of consent, again

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-of-consent-again/318158>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [August 22, 2005, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-of-consent-again/318158 "2005-08-22T19:02:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![Kyle\_Rayner1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58f4c7/32.png) [@Kyle\_Rayner1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyle_Rayner1)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-of-consent-again/318158/61 "2005-08-30T21:51:24Z")

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I think the age of consent should be 16. I think that’s a pretty good age when your mature enough to engage in a sexual relationship with your partner. I wouldn’t arrest anyone, though, if say a 19 year was having sex with a 15 year old with the parent’s blessings. You would have to judge it on a case by case basis, though.

As an aside, you should be able to drink and drive (not at the same time) when you’re 16 but I don’t want to derail the thread. I just wanted to make a point that I think at 16 you’re mature enough to make decisions on your own.

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**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-of-consent-again/318158/62 "2005-08-31T08:50:28Z")

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> [@Kyle Rayner1](#):
>
> I just wanted to make a point that I think at 16 you’re mature enough to make decisions on your own.

That I was ever able to tell, the maturity level of sub-18s drops when they hit high school (as opposed to when they reach puberty and the hormones start flowing; as common knowledge would have it.)

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