marriage - yes or no?

[Dreadnought[DK]]

If you suggest a society where permission to do something is based on a person's level of maturity, who do you then suggest should judge whether a person is mature enough to perfom a certain thing like voting, drinking, or marry?

[Amanda]

Tests. I suggest that there be maturity level tests. I know it sounds farfetched, but think about it. With each new birthday, I think that starting at age 13, the person should have to take a test to see if they are mature enough to do the things that you otherwise couldn't do if you were 18 or 21. It's like the statutory rape laws. The are ridiculous. You have to be a certain age to have sex with your partner if they are over the age of 18? Come on, that's just ridiculous. Sometimes there are 15 and 16 year olds who are too mature for their age group, and therefore, can't find someone on the same level of intellect unless they are older and more experienced. But it's illegal for them to even kiss someone above the age of 18.

Man, our world is no where near perfect, and with these stupid age limit laws, it's never going to even come close to being perfect. IMO, that is just ONE of the many flaws with the US government.

[Dreadnought[DK]]

Originally posted by Amanda
...I think that starting at age 13, the person should have to take a test...

Now you have set an age limit yourself...

[Amanda]

Hmmm, VERY good point. Well, maybe there shouldn't even be an age limit on that as well. Just whenever they start getting old enough to walk or whenever the parent decides. I don't know, but I think it should start being mandatory at 13.

[Vikki]

i think a test would be ridiculous - what question would you ask? there is nothing you can ask that someone wouldnt lie about. A test means nothing - only an action in a situation can show maturity. If that person knows they are being watched for 'maturity levels' then they will ACT accordingly.

but, i will admit that its pathetic to try a 14 year old kid as an adult - when he cant even vote yet (as in how stupid it was to have a draft for 18+, when 18 couldnt vote their govt into office to change whether they would have a draft or not) hope you get my point.

btw - concerning age and sex- i believe that there is that age limit because that is generally when a female/male matures (give or take a few years) mentally and physically - i believe that you need both those combinations to have a love affair - has anyone watched the origional Lolita (NOT THE PORNO!). yes - she was mature but it was rather disgusting to watch her **** a 30+ year old man. THAT is sick. (but it is also gross to see a 40+man flaunt his new 18yr old date) I believe love has no age limit, the only limit is what is appropriate.

[Amanda]

Wow, Vikki, you make some really good points. I can see what you mean with the tests, very good point there. Now I'm stumped. Oh well, like I said, we'll never have a perfect government.


So what do you think about say a 15 year old man and a 19 year old woman? Is that "disgusting"? I think that if we find the relationships between two consenting partners disgusting then we should just ignore it. We are all human beings, and we all have our differences. I don't think anyone has the right to say who we can and cannot be with. Someone once told me "ugly people only date ugly people, and pretty people only date pretty people". That's bull. I think that people (particularly guys) should, as Vikki stated in a previous post somewhere, start looking at the person from the inside out. Come on, looks won't last forever.

[Vikki]

when a 15 year old boy is having sexual relations with a 19 woman - i think the older takes advantage of the youngers innocense. (plus, i havent met very many 15 yrold men with.. well... you know what i mean. perhaps im pampered, but they say once you've had, you dont go back(and no im not talking about black). EVERYTHING is dependent upon the situation here - there are no clear rules for anything. But are you trying to tell me something?

I dont care either way - only when things become personal that i generally take sides. And then, i am still open to situations. (i think the younger boy would love to be banging an older chick - i dont know any boy that wouldnt. my younger brother at the age of 12(ish) had sex with a 17yr old girl - thats why im open.

[Amanda]

No sex involved. And the guy has matured physically as well.

[DEADEYE]

i agrre with you chicks.....maridge can be so buitiful..iam not 16: ..and ive been maried to the same bird 4 like 20 years ey> they say you get 20 years for murder:lol: ...so many guys forget that women brought them up.......so our babes are the sweetest thing ....ps iam from australia very buitiful women......there so easy on the eye .....not all guys suck ....but they should love there babes....open there wallets ...womens favorite 4 letter word is SALE...so when i give my hunny the checkbook ..woo hoo action is on in the bed room

[Dreadnought[DK]]

The age limitation is based on the norms and traditions in the society. It is true that there are some who mature before they turn 18, but then, some don't mature untill they are 22. There are always people who fall outside the normal category. The age ristrictions is a form of average; a way to include most qualified people, that is qualified according to the norms, the tradition, and the social conditions present.
There are different forms of maturity. There is the biological/physical, which is hard to dispute, and there is the mental maturity. This form of maturity is, like most other things, arbitrary. It is defined according to norms/tradition/social conditions by others. Sometime we just have to accept that there are people out there with a better understanding of the way our society works and they make the decision about age restriction.
When we are on the "wrong" side of an age restriciton, we often fail to see the point of it. However, when we grow up and mature, we can hopefully see the point.