PM Rejects Call to Lower Age of Sexual Consent
The Prime Minister, David Cameron, was very quick to show his opposition to Professor John Ashton's suggestion of changing the age of consent to 15, stating there were no plans to change the current age which is in place to protect children.
The rejection by the PM has spearheaded the majority opinion against the change, which is inevitably regarding concerns over the safety of children from grooming and sexual assault, along with already alarming teen pregnancy. It has been supported by Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg and members of the Labour Party alike.
Nick Clegg's comments about why he rejected the idea can be seen in this video:
A common argument for lowering the age is to enable those under 16 are having sex to get the relevant advice. However this tweet from the day after Professor Ashton's proposal shows that sexual health organisation, Bish UK also offer advice to those under the age; thus presenting a strong argument that there is no need for change, as their services are shown in the diagram.
From my vox pop on whether the age should be changed to 15, I have collected a representation of opinion on rejecting the change as was done with the opinion for it, although this garnered far more response. The audio of some public opinion can be listened to below:
The large majority of response from my Surveymonkey poll was that no, the age should not be changed to 15, with obviously some identical reasoning but in essence good discussion for the debate. More common and predominant answers help to increase the validity that the statement represents that of the population, therefore some of those are listed below:
"I don't feel that they are mentally mature enough to deal with the emotions that go come with sex." I don't think the age of consent affects when people have sex really, but I think lowering it would encourage younger children to have sex, which is not a good thing, especially with already high teenage pregnancy rates." "Sexual urges do start before 16, but considering that we view 16 year olds physiologically and mentally as no longer truly children, it's a generally good age to legally protect young adults from essentially legal paedophilia whilst allowing for and recognising young sexual impulses/ without waiting too long." "Because there is enough pressure on teens to have sex, by lowering it even younger teens will feel more pressure." |
"If we keep lowering it we won't know when to stop. I think it's perfectly reasonable at the moment. If it ain't broke, don't fix it." "15 year old children are still vulnerable and need the protection of the law in regard to predatory sexual assault." "Gives the wrong idea to society if the age of consent is lowered." "Although people still have sex at younger ages, keeping the age at 16 protects more young people from sex offences and in some cases will make people think it through a little more before they do it." "Sexualisation of children is wrong. Lowering the age of consent would allow paedophiles to get away with their heinous crimes." |
Likewise with the previous page with reasons for lowering the age, my thread on The Student Room allowed me to monitor debate between the contributors and pick the best selection of quotes to get a sense of opinion for preventing the change to 15. The added bonus with a debate on a thread is obviously enabling others to pick holes and elaborate on their arguments, which can be kept going continuously. Here are another selection of quotes from the thread:
"I don't know how I feel about it. I don't like putting an age on it because some 14 year olds are very mature, and some 17 year olds are absolute idiots, but if you don't have an age on it, people can take advantage of vulnerable people. My own view is it should be as it is, but any 'underage sex' should be assessed on an individual case by case basis using something like the Gillick Competence*" (*The Gillick competence refers to medical law and whether a child can consent to their own course of treament.)
"I don't even think it should be 16 personally, not many 16 year old's are mentally mature enough to understand sex and I class 15 years old to be a child." |
"I honestly don't think it should. Nowadays, people are definitely not mature enough. Personally, It's as if people are trying to decrease and devalue the meaning of sex and what it should be. Sex should be more special and intimate. Besides, there's already enough underage pregnancy, too many abortions and pressure to lose your virginity. This will increase if the age consent is lowered. If this changes, then in a few years, 14, 13, 12, 11 and younger might think its become ok for people to have sex. People will do it anyway, but I just don't think they are mentally mature enough. Education should be the focus, not relationships or sleeping with people/person." "Absolutely not, it just makes things easier for paedophiles." |
It is hardly surprising that a large basis of the public opinion is based around protecting children, or those who are vulnerable, from paedophilia and grooming as there have been a large number instances in the media in recent years. In particular related to operation Yewtree, but even more recently was the news that Lostprophets lead singer Ian Watkins was found guilty of child sex offences. It is alleged that he groomed female fans on the internet into performing perverted fantasies of his, which would surely become easier if 15 year olds were no longer protected from such risks.
Another particularly shocking story in recent news was that of Britain's youngest mum, who became pregnant at the age of 11. This is a far cry lower than 15, and from the story on the link it seems that other factors may have influenced the girls lifestyle choice. But if some public opinion is to be believed and the image that sex is OK at a younger age is portrayed, these occurrences could become much more frequent.
Another particularly shocking story in recent news was that of Britain's youngest mum, who became pregnant at the age of 11. This is a far cry lower than 15, and from the story on the link it seems that other factors may have influenced the girls lifestyle choice. But if some public opinion is to be believed and the image that sex is OK at a younger age is portrayed, these occurrences could become much more frequent.