Should 14-Year-Olds Be Allowed to Have Sex Legally?
According to a recent Fox News report, a new law in Indiana makes it legal for teenagers to have sex so long as they’re no more than 4 years apart in age.
Public Law 216 creates a legal defense, nicknamed the “Romeo and Juliet defense,” against charges of sexual misconduct with a minor. The law went into effect July 1.
“The change in the law decriminalizes consensual sex among teenagers in a dating relationship if they are within four years age difference,” said Larry Landis, executive director of the Indiana Public Defender Council.
The Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council supported and helped write the new defense. Executive Director Stephen J. Johnson said the change doesn’t lower the age of consent.
It modifies a 1994 law that made sexual misconduct with a minor a separate offense from child molesting as a way of dealing with teenage sexuality, Johnson said.
When I was looking for background on this topic, I found a 2003 report of a mom in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, who walked in on her 14-year-old daughter naked in her bed with a 14-year-old boyfriend and called the police. The kids were both charged.
…prosecutors say children have no right to have sex.
“Sex between kids is not legal,” said Assistant District Attorney Lori Kornblum, who is prosecuting the case.
According to the law, “Whoever has sexual contact or sexual intercourse with a person who has not attained the age of 16 is guilty of a Class C felony.” There is no mention of consent.
Now, I had no idea that teen sex could be illegal, but it sounds like it has been or may be depending on where you live. So what do you think? Should it be illegal, or should kids be able to get it on at any age? And does this have any bearing on the brouhaha surrounding mandatory HPV vaccination for school-age girls?
Tags: illegal, legal, Sex, teen, teenager, woman, women, Womens-HealthRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Sex
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21 opinions for Should 14-Year-Olds Be Allowed to Have Sex Legally?
Katharine
Jul 13, 2007 at 1:26 am
Prosecuting a much older person who takes advantage of a very young person is a good idea. But making laws about young teens who are about the same age? There are better ways to deal with sexually precocious teens than traumatizing them by putting them through the legal system.
Jennifer
Jul 13, 2007 at 11:25 am
I think there are worse things to deal with than sex among teens. The laws that prosecute make it hard when you work in social work (I used to work with homeless teens) because the lame laws take over basics concerns like food, housing…so on. Maybe working with these kids made me realize that sex is lower on the level of concern - -there should be more money into realistic sex ed.
Plus to tell you the truth I’d rather have my child have sex at a young age (with safety discussions of course) than have issues like cyber bullies, harsh drugs, and hate.
latoya
Jul 24, 2007 at 7:22 pm
While I don’t believe 14-year-olds should be having sex, sending them to jail for doing it is overkill.
As far as the “4 years apart” aspect of it, I wonder does that mean an 18-year-old can legally have sex with a 14-year-old? I hope not.
Michelle
Jan 5, 2008 at 12:27 pm
There is NOTHING wrong with underage sex as long as there is mutual consent. You people punish what you can’t possibly hope to understand, and put these stupid limitations with teens not being able to have sex with their boyfriend or girlfriend just because they are “17 & 1/2″ and not “18″. You people have no right to declare what is legal nor what is the “right” age when everyone is different and one size does not fit all. By the way, I had sex at the age of 12 with a guy who was 21, he never took advantage of me (if anything I took advantage of him!), and I’m GLAD that he didn’t get in trouble because of stupid people and their BS laws. We haven’t been together for about 3 years, but we’re still best friends. So stick that in your “legal” crack pipe and smoke it, because you all are on something if you think it’s alright or legal to be telling people if they can and can’t have sex, at what age, and sending them to jail for what’s natural if you don’t like it or get it!
Kristen King
Jan 5, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Thanks for your comments, all.
Michelle, I gotta be honest, it makes me extremely uncomfortable to think of a 12-year-old having sex with anyone, much less a 21-year-old man. Do you really feel that sex between a child and an adult is a good idea? I understand that there are some mature pre-teens out there, but what emotionally and psychologically healthy adult would want to have sex with a 12-year-old child? 18 and 21, okay. But 12 and 21? Absolutely not. I also find it hard to believe that a healthy adult could be taken advantage of by a child in that way.
Obviously I don’t know you and I don’t know your situation, but there is no way I could ever be okay with that kind of age difference. Nine years doesn’t mean much when you’re 50 and 59, but until you hit about 20, it’s way too much, and extremely questionable as far as the motivation and judgment of the older party.
That’s my opinion, but it’s your life. I just hope you make the right choices and have the wisdom not to do anything that will cause you lasting psychological damage. But the thing is, kids are kids, and they generally don’t have that type of judgment. That’s what growing up is all about, and why statutory rape and child molestation laws exist in the first place.
Stay safe, kiddo.
Kristen
shaemus
Feb 15, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Im 10 and I hav sex
lol :P :P P :P :P :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
Kristen King
Feb 15, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Shaemus, if that is true, and I think it may not be, you need to talk to a parent, teacher, or school counselor. You’re in like fourth grade. You should not be sexually active. You also should not be cruising the Internet for websites on children having sex. Tell your mother I said you need more parental supervision, and no computer in your bedroom.
Matthew
Mar 28, 2008 at 11:18 pm
I think 14 year olds should have sex cause sex fills good i’m 14 and i’ve had it 17 times it is awsome
kitan
Mar 29, 2008 at 6:32 am
I really felt bad about this article, because as a Christian, this is really not right..but i guess because of too much shows and movies that has sexual content, it is where kids get the idea. I think its not whether they make it legal or not, I believe the parents should take responsibility of their school-aged children. Because even if its illegal I think kids will find a way if they really want to, kids today are so aggressive. If at a young age the parents teach the children moral values, whats right and wrong, whats pleasing and unpleasing, I dont think kids will have sex when they shouldnt be having sex not until maybe they’re mature enough to handle the consequences or guilt.
Fuzzyshinobi
Apr 6, 2008 at 11:05 pm
I feel that if a child wants to have sex, then they have every right to. What gives elder mebers of socioty the right to put leagal action against a natural process if there is a mutual consent? Schools need to teach kids what is right or not but then give the kids a chance to implement that knoledge wisly and for their own free choice. If kids feel the need to have safe sex what is the harm? Child mosleting is another story but what is wrong with a way of life, also if the kid really wanted to a dumb law really wouldn’t stop them.
Fuzzyshinobi
stretch
Apr 9, 2008 at 8:07 pm
hell yeah 14 year olds should be able to have sex
sheeba01
Apr 11, 2008 at 5:40 am
these kids don’t know what there getting themselves into. “Confusion” i think best describes it.
troy
Apr 20, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Admin note: Edited for inappropriate language.
f*** u guys half of u probably lost your virginity when u were like 13 or 14 so who are u to say we cant do it that were to younge
Kristen King
Apr 20, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Troy, that’s a pretty big assumption, and I think a false one.
be
Apr 21, 2008 at 10:12 pm
ITS NOT A MALE FRIEND ITS A BOYFRIEND AT AGE 14 one u make out wit
be
Apr 21, 2008 at 10:13 pm
i am not a kid im a teenager DUH!
be
Apr 21, 2008 at 10:14 pm
i am not a child im a freken teen
SEX IS FUN SO I DONT GIVE A SHIT ABOUT THE LAW
Apr 22, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Admin note: Edited for language vastly inappropriate content, but retained most of it because hey, free speech..
TELL YOU THE TRUTH AND SORRY ABOUT THE BAD WORDS BUT I DONT GIVE A S*** ABOUT THE LAW IM 14 AND I HAD SEX BUT YOU LISEN DO YOU THINK THAT YOUR GIRL FRIEND CAME UP TO YOU AND SAID YETS HAVE SEX YOU SAID OK OH I FORGOT I DONT WANA HAVE SEX BECOUSE IS THE LAW!!!!! WE DONT GIVE 2 FLYING S****S IF A GIRL SAID THAT YOU WILL BE PISSING YOUR SELF AND THE government IS TELLING US WHEN TO F***ING HAVE SEX NOW IM PISSED ABOUT THAT TELLING US WHEN!! TO!! HAVE!! SEX!! THE F***ING government IS OF HIS NUTS F**** THE government F*** THE LAW AND MOST OF ALL [[edited for content, you can use your imagination]] but eny way thats the point so you think about it
PS IM SORRY FOR THE BAD WORDS BUT IS THE TRUTH I NOW SEX FOR A 14 YEAR OLD IS YOUNG BUT WHAT THE government IS TRYING TO DO IS TELLING US NOT TO HAVE SEX IS F****ING DUMP
SORRY FOR THE BAD WORDS AGAIN…
lindsey
May 12, 2008 at 6:21 pm
okay, um im like 14 and im like really hott, and if a guy wanna have sex with me …okay im gonna do it, i already know to use condems and all that stuff…………. so yea
Sam Brauning
May 12, 2008 at 9:17 pm
14 and I think we should be aloud to have sex
nothing wrong with it thats what berth control and condoms are for right?
cinderella+ollie
May 15, 2008 at 1:39 pm
hi im cinderella im 14 nd i think we should b able 2 have sex init? i have lost my virginity nd i thought sex is kol so ya know.xxxxxxxxxxx
hay im ollie im 14 nd i think it is ok as long as you are with some one you love nd that u use johnnys lol but you know dats ma opinion p.s i hav not lost my virginity so i don’t know wats it like xxxxxxxxxxxx
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