I, honestly, agree. The age of consent shouldn't go below 16 AT LEAST. The age of consent where I live is 18. It's really stupid, because even kids underneath that age know what they're doing and getting into. 16 should be the LOWEST age. I really don't think the age of consent has any effect on anyone. People are going to do what they want, whether or not there are rules against it. Look at the criminals! They rob banks and shoot people. There are so many rules against all of it yet they still do it, so what's to stop someone from having sex with someone else just because there's an age of consent?

I believe the age of consent here in Pennsylvania is 16. I think maybe it should be raised to 17. Now it'd only be a year raise, but a lot could happen within a year in someone's life. Even then, if someone is ready to have sex, assuming they understand the consequences and everything, they should do what they feel is right. I've heard of so many teens under 15 having sex, and sometimes getting pregnant. I'm not sure what they were thinking, but I don't even think they have any idea what they are getting into if they have sexual relations at that age.

The age of consent is ridiculous. I understand why the law is there--it's put there by well-meaning people (or people who really want to control the youth, but I'll try to be optimistic) who don't want people under a certain age to have to cope with the emotional and physical fallout that can result from sex. That's great. But nobody really pays attention to the laws. I know some people don't want to have sex before a certain age because of self-imposed restrictions, which is THEIR choice. Some don't want to have sex before marriage--sometimes due to religious beliefs, sometimes due to the idea of only having sex with one person (presumably their "true love" type). That's also THEIR choice. The government has no right to meddle this far into someone's personal life until someone else's free will gets stepped on. Rape? Yeah. A twelve year old and a thirty-year old? I'll agree that it's a little ishy there. So maybe a law that says until the age of eighteen (or whatever the current age of consent is), you can't have sex with someone more than five years older than you? That's being generous. I can't think of anybody that's cheering for a fifteen-year old and a twenty-year old couple.

Whether or not people are mature enough--in any way--has never been enough to stop them from doing what they want all by itself. They aren't going to care if the law says that they aren't allowed to have sex--a lot of them probably don't even know about it. The law also says that you can't drink until you're 21 and can't vote until you're eighteen--but I haven't seen that stopping a lot of people.

Concentrate on something more important--maybe dedicate more time to sex education in schools, if you're really that eager to protect your teens from STDs and potential heartbreak. (And babies.)

It depends on the person.
Some people which are 13 are quite ready for it, knowing well what they are doing and all and are sure about it.
Other 13-year olds are well... the kind of people that still play with dolls, if you know what I mean.
I myself was actually thirteen. I was sure about it, consented. It was my own choice. Not because I was trying to act older than I was, not because of any pressure. Now, more than two years later, I have no regret at all.

But there are many people who aren't that far at thirteen. I think an age of consent is hard to say. There are people who are ready for it at thirteen and people who aren't ready yet at seventeen or eightteen.

One thing that is more important in my opinion is that people get good sexual education. They need to know the risks of having sex.

Valid question but if you ask me, those who bother thinking about what age they should have sex needs to find more activities to fill their lives. Sorry I don't mean to offend but if it makes people think, then I'll say it.

Sex isn't the end-all-be-all of our existence, after all. Nor are vices the only thing to do. Let's not be too stupid and narrow-minded. Our generation's more open about sex but how come we're becoming more and more ignorant about the very basic fact that sex makes babies? Duh? What's wrong with waiting until you find a faithful boyfriend, or husband for that matter? (or GF/wife).

My stand is always that every person has his/her own freedom to choose and think for themselves. Unless maybe we're all really really stupid (or retarded), we are capable of knowing the consequences of our actions, right? So even if a state declared 13 or 18 as the legal age for everything, it's still up to an individual what they think they should do.

Let's say you're 17 now and the girl beside you is also 17. You may choose to have sex, she doesn't want to. It's both acceptable, right?

No one should have sex until they are ready to have kids. No existing preventive measure is 100% safe. No one should have kids until they are a strong, healthy adult. Technically that means 18 years old, but even that seems young. Young parents have a higher chance of getting hurt during the pregnancy, and a lower chance of remaining a thriving family than older parents. For this reason, I believe that the legal minimum age should be 18, but I think for most people the moral age should be much older.

I'm 16 years old and I love my 22 year old bf. I don't care what people think. We can get married with permission from my mom (i dont have a dad), so i don't see whats wrong with having sex when a guy is six years older. (we didnt have sex.)

I think the legal age of consent here is 16 as long as the other partner is within 5 years older? *shrugs*... I've heard that it doesn't only vary by state but sexual orientation and gender -__- ... which just seems ... pointless...

I'm not sure the exact age should be... I'm one of those who say as long as they know what they're getting into and possible consequences and how to stay safe then that's fine... it's their choice, their body... if they really want to do it then they're going to do it... I lost my virginity quite young... 13... but I was mentally and physically ready for it... emotionally... that was another issue, but I don't regret it... but it wouldn't hurt to wait xD... maybe 16 ... if possible ...

I'm not sure how the states determine the age of consent... I'm not sure what they were thinking when they set them into law... they're probably helpful in specific cases... but otherwise I'm not sure why ...

age of consent doesn't mean a thing if two ... or more... people are going to get it on... they're going to do what they want if they really want it... <_< I certainly wasn't thinking about it, but then again he was only 14 xD......... >_>

OK, I live In Australia, so here we go.
Its 16 for us here, Which is I think acceptable.
Lesbian sex is 16 and Gay sex is 18.
Having the age at 16 here is fair enough I think, But It still doesn't stop kids from having underage sex.
The world is a little bit over saturated with sex. you see it everywhere.
Clothes, Music, communities. Most "popular" celebrities, whom are considered role models by many tend to over sexualize themselves. A good example of of both music and celebrities here would be The pussycat dolls. There appearance and lyrics basically prove my point.

Ive noticed a few people saying things about voting and what not. Well, just out of interest. Here it is 16 to drive, 18 to vote, 18 to drink. although we have the learners license for at least 300hours.
Also in retaliation to Petrakan
Whats life without risk. Without risk, you cannot call yourself alive.
besides a rubber will pretty much protect you from near enough 100%
and theres so much protection available that I'm pretty sure you can find something out there.

I think this is one of those things that should be on an individual basis. I know people close to 30 that are so immature they might as well be 12 and treat sex about like a 12 year old would.

The age of consent here is 17, seeing as I live in NY state like you.

I don't know, I don't want to speak for people as a whole, but I wouldn't be ready to until I'm 17 years of age. (I'm a year older than that) So I guess I agree with NY's law?

I have no idea how it could determine that, really. I don't think about this kind of stuff that often.

I don't think it does. People will still have sex at whatever age they want no matter what the law says. Advertisements on tv do not help at all. Infact, I'm sure all those condom commercials make kids want to do it more. It's all about the media. Well, like my little sister, for instance. Just because the state law says you have to be 17 (I believe it used to be 18), it didn't stop her. She had sex at 15 and got pregnant. Of course, she wanted a baby at the time. She wanted to be with that guy forever. They fell apart recently, though. It's a shame. I think a few more years and she might have matured more and made better decisions.