Tiny · 11mo
Why does 16 seem to be the general consensus on who's okay for anti contact MAPs to get consent from? (genuinely asking, I have not seem many arguments other than "it's the age of consent in most places")
Hello!
Before I begin to answer the question, I would like to point out that I first wrote the entire answer in German (because I can express myself better that way) and only then worked with a translator. Which is why there could be a few more errors in the language.
The fact that I am only anti-contact with people under the age of 16 is due to various things that determine my position on this.
My own experiences and the law: From my point of view, I would say that at this age I definitely already knew what sex could entail and could clearly make my decision. Of course, this doesn't apply to everyone and under certain conditions it is difficult to really speak of consent, but more on that later.
I also know people of this age who have enough maturity on this topic.
The legal situation also supports my point of view. Of course, I can't support everything that concerns the law, such as the ban on child sex dolls in Germany. But when it comes to this topic, I'm almost behind it. Only almost because in Germany the age of consent starts at 14 and I'm not sure what I can really think of that.The environment: From the first impressions I gained on this topic, I came to the conclusion that a romantic and sexual relationship with a 16 year old and above is already possible. However, there are also things that you have to take into account. In my opinion, a relationship, for example between a student and a teacher, has a certain balance of power, which, in my opinion, should not be the case in a healthy relationship.
My conclusion from the whole thing is that, under certain circumstances, relationships between adults and 16+ are possible, and I don't condemn them per se. Which is why I don't consider myself an anti-contact label when it comes to this. However, I also think that you should of course still be careful.
It is a very, at least for me, complicated topic. And I personally wouldn't try to change anyone's mind who thinks differently. In contrast: I would also like to hear counter-arguments. There are definitely things that I completely overlook on the topic and therefore draw wrong conclusions.
Here's something about the legal situation in Germany:
https://polizei.nrw/artikel/sex-ab-wann-und-mit-wem
Here is something about human sexual development: https://www.elternleben.de/elternwissen/teenager/entwicklung-und-foerderung/phasen-der-sexualen-entwicklung-v/#c5962
