Not sure I'm reading that right Niamh, did you mean to say you disagreed with my point that I think it unlikely older girls/women would find younger boys attractive?

Oops just seen your correction.

Not mentally though.

Personally I think 16 is too young as well, but there has to be a line drawn somewhere. Also, 2 years when you're a child/teenager means a lot more than when you're an adult.

And, besides the question of whether you're mentally ready for it, what about if you get someone pregnant or catch a disease? It's your parents then who need to pick up the pieces and sort your mess out because 9 times out of 10 you aren't financially or emotionally equipped to deal with stuff like that

I would say relationships are more common for older men and younger girls (although I dont have stats for this, it just seems more plausible)... but on average, more young men lose their virginity to someone significantly older than them, whilst young women are more likely to lose theirs to somebody of a similar age.

sorry, typo :laugh:

Well i didnt see it that way when i did.

I would say there absolutely is.
Physically, mentally, emotionally, developmentally, 14 year olds and 16 year olds are not the same.

Every year is huge when you're that age in every respect, I agree

Gross. I'll have to take you word for that

But kids will have sex whatever the age limit is so will risk getting pregnant anyway.

The parents should pick up the pieces as well for not educating their kids on the risks in the first place.

Even if the age is 16 or 18 there are still a huge amount of people who couldnt financially support a kid..doeant seem to stop the never ending parade of idiots we see on j kyle every day.

Anyway, it seems to work in germany and is worth considering.

But dont you think that actual children (aged 11/12) would be more encouraged to have sex if the age of consent was 14 as opposed to 16. This is my biggest concern on the topic tbh.

I think it's fine at 16. Some 14 year olds are mature for their age, others not and for those who are not, they make easy prey for adults. What's so wrong with allowing children to be children for as long as possible.?

If the only thing that stood in the way of teenagers getting pregnant or not was sex education than there would be virtually no teenage pregnancies..... That's like saying if people were warned of the health risks of smoking then no one would smoke :laugh:

Ok. But the kids risk..16 yr olds are not mature enough or life savvy enough to have kids..so why is the age of consent 16?

If sex is there to be enjoyed and not for reproduction then why not lower it to 14 so it can be enjoyed by people who feel mature enough to mess aroumd?

No it's not, and I have to say I am surprised at Germany. Young girls need protecting from predatory adult men.

Hmmm.. maybe. Not sure how many 11/12 yr olds know the age of consent atm so it may not be an issue.

Because those approaching that age will be encouraged to do so, and thats just not a suitable thing to suggest + the tens of other reasons others have brought up.

No it should stay how it is.

14 year olds are not even an adult and some like to sleep with older people so a older person sleeping with someone who is not an adult is well disgusting

No they're not but they're atleast closer to having finished school...I think 16 is too young as well by the way. It's actually 17 in Ireland which I think is better.

Which is why they have the other side to the law, 21 though..should have made it 16

Its a good law to have in place though, I think the UK could follow in Germanys footsteps here, and have it so 16/17 year olds can only have sex with people up to age 18 or 21 or something. It unnerves me that a 16 year old can legally date anyone

16 is a sensible age. Any younger would be ridiculous, my little brother is 14 but he still looks about 10. Also it would pressure really young people into having sex when they might not necessarily be ready.

when I was 14 I thought I was straight :laugh: I was also very emotionally immature, as was everyone in my class. It was only when we were about 15/16 we copped on a bit and I was starting to realize my sexuality which really says that I was growing up. I think 16/17 is the right age.

I think 16 as it is now should be how it stays as I said earlier too.
Really good points in your post.

Urgh no, just no.

Call me old fashioned but it's just weird, that's the gawky teenage phase a kind of transitional period. No place for all those shennanigans :/