By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
Nem said:
JWeinCom said:

No.  It is true.  Pretty much always.  There are parts of the brain that are simply not developed to the extent of an adult brain.  The part of the body that regulates impulse and makes decisions is not fully formed in males till about 25, and I think about 22 in females.  Unless the child in question is a prodigy, their brains are not as developed as the adult in the situation, and they are not consenting as equals.

There's really no moral argument to be made for a 30ish year old teacher having sex with a 12 year old boy.  There would have to be something incredibly out of the ordinary (so out of the ordinary that I can't think what it might even be) about the situation.  And, of course, Bill Maher had no information with which he could have decided that this situation was unique.

You are making alot of assumptions. You are taking it as simply a sexual urge. Have you thought that this 14 year old is developed and was informed of what the consequences are? If it was just sex, they could very well have avoided pregnancy. The fact that they haven't and it was clearly intended as it happened a second time, tells me there was thought that went into it. It wasn't just a fling. 

And sorry to say, but i was well aware of the consequences of my actions by age 13. Education and how developed the body is plays an important part. You are just putting a label on everyone that may or may not fit.

This is a situation i would not pass judgment on without hearing the parts.

He was 12 years old.  Not 14. 

I am taking it as a sexual urge because that is generally why people have sex.  I'd be really shocked if she chose to engage in a sex crime with no kind of sexual desire.  And the sex is the part we're concerned with, cause that's the illegal part. Gross as it may be, it is perfectly legal to carry on a platonic romantic relationship with someone of that age.   How long they planned it, or how long the paedophilia continued is irrelevant.  That just makes it a premeditated crime which is actually quite a bit worse.  

Of course you're aware of consequences.  My cat is aware of consequences.  But knowing what the consequences are and being able to make good choices based on that information are two very different skills.

For those who are neither impaired nor prodigal, the brain develops at a predictable rate.  In the teenage years, the prefrontal cortex (controlling rational and logical thought) is still developing.  When making decisions, the prefrontal cortex is activated much less than an adult's (and different parts of the prefrontal cortex).  Meanwhile, the amygdala (which controls emotions) is activated far more in the decision making process.  Furthermore, the links between the limbic system and prefrontal cortex are among the last parts of the brain to develop, so the prefrontal cortex cannot regulate emotions.  Hormones interfere with the brain's production of seratonin, a neurotransmitter which is key in regulating impluses.  These are things you might know if you'd studied child psychology.  That's not even getting into the hormone levels 

A 12 year old's brain is simply not developed to the point a 35 year old's brain is.  This is not a label I'm making, these are facts that you would know if you studied child psychology.  One twelve year old's brain may develop slightly quicker or slower than another's but there is virtually no possibility that the brain would have developed 13 years faster than comparable to others his age.  

A 34 year old and a 12 year old are worlds apart in terms of decision making abilities.  Again, not a label, that's a biological fact.  Her ability to make a rational decision far exceeded his.  That's what we call taking advantage of someone.  And that's why pedophilia is wrong.  

If you think there are certain situations that it's ok for an adult to have sex with a 12 year old, then you support paedophilia... and that's kind of deplorable.  I would suggest studying more about child psychology and brain development and hopefully you'll come to a less deplorable conclusion.