Reply #71: In a way I agree [View All]

[Nikia]

I think that most children who have sex at age 14 or under are or were taken advantage of sexually by someone older before they were able to have consent that was a real choice. Many children are sexually abused as they are first going through puberty. Some would say this is evolutionary, having sex with the virgin just as she is becoming fertile to assure that any pregnancy is yours. Regardless, it is wrong, even if force isn't involved. It hurts the child, sometimes for life, and often changes ones perception of sex and love. In most schools, sex education hasn't even been taught to children these ages (which one could argue is the fault of the school system).
I don't think that the children should be punished, but perhaps they should be questioned to determine whether abuse is involved or had taken place. I think children are hestitent to share such information.
Personally, I was sexually abused at age 11 by an adult. Although it wasn't actually done by force, it wasn't much of a choice either. In talking to friends, I am amazed how many children ages 10-14 were sexually abused by someone 16 or older (both boys and girls) and most of them didn't feel that it was much of a choice either even when force wasn't involved. At 15 and a half, I did have sex with my boyfriend, 2 years older than me and did feel that it was completely my choice. I know that children mature at different rates, but antedotally, it seems to be around 15 or 16 that children have stronger sexual urges and would make the choice to pursue sex. I am not saying that 2 14 year olds might not both be at that stage, without being initiated into sex by someone who was significantly older, but I think that the other situation is more common.