is see your point ryusui, but there is a huge difference between physical maturity, and mental/emotional maturity. they may choose to do something that they will regret later on. teens that are having sex aren't truly concerned with pregnancy and stds...they are still in their "i'm invincible" stage. they know that things happens, but it doesn't occur to them that it could happen to them.

Yes I do get what your saying the dm,

Kids don't have the concept of what is reality, we lose this through the teens as we learn about life and what really goes on. I guess what we are saying here is that we acknowledge these youngsters are having these feelings, but we as experianced adults have decided that it's best to discipline and educate our young about sex so they have time to grow and understand their feelings before commiting such an act with anyone.

To be honest I think that 17 is the minimum age that sexual activity should be concented. I mean as a child it seems like you wait forever to be a grown up, but once you become an adult of course you realise there is plenty of time for grown up stuff and not enough time being a kid!!

I do feel that kids arn't getting the proper information about sex, they are just told it can lead to babies and STD's and they shouldn't do it because it's illegal. But do they know why we wish it to be this way? evidently not it seems.

It is the adults responsibility to educate the young so they can cope with adult life and their own emotions and desire's etc. When put into proper context I think most kids wouldn't want to have sex until they are older because they understand truely why they should not do it.
The media industries sell sex alot and they target young girls early with barbie, and make up, nail varnish etc... of course they see it as fun but they don't realise that this imagery is being planted in their minds.

OK I am starting to rant so I'll stop here....

I find this very interesting with regards to legal age.

Morality comes in to this a lot and our culture is worlds apart from some other countries, however from a strictly psychological point I wonder when a male or female is able to consent to sexual relations.

Its obvious not everyone matures psychologically at the same rate, so if we talk strictly of a person having the cognitive ability to 'think through' what they are doing, not easy with peer pressure, hormones and a partner thats pushing for sex or using their position of authority to cow tow that person; how can we realistically set an age limit?

On the one hand we want to protect our kids, on the other at some point they have to become free thinking adults!

Saying that if anyone touched my daughter before she's 30 and married to them I'd throttle the guy

I think this subject definately comes nder Jamies martial cults thread for more in depth analysis of How martial artist get away with so much BS!

Regards,

Den.

Hey Den. You are right that the psychology of this issue is too complex to even think there is a default age that a person becomes "ready". I do think it makes sense for the legal age to be something that corresponds to when we recognize that a child has passed into adulthood and is now responsible for themselves. The legal age at which your parents are no longer responsible for you is probably where the legal age of consent should be.

Anyone have any theories on when the legal age your parents are no longer responsible for you should be? Im hazy on the law wether its currently 16 or 18, but should it be raised to 21, like theyre doing here in uk?

I too have unfortunately heard stories about "respected" and High-ranking teachers doing the same. It is a dis-grace and I personally think in the world of MAs they should be judged by their peers.

I also agree, there is a large amount of difference between moral/emotional maturity and physical maturity. Some people say "Oh, love knows no age limit, etc." That's crap! Age does not matter in love they are right, but respect, responsibility, honor and compassion do! And I am sorry but in these instances none of these are being expressed other than lust.

Personally, I keep it simple.

If anyone was ever a student/patient of mine, in any way, shape or form (even for one hour) I will NOT have anything other than a student, teacher relationship with them. I will not ever compromise on this as it is my own moral code.

Those that use positions of power or teaching to get what they want (whatever it be) should get the death sentence imo. They are abusing trust and in a world of mis-trust nothing can be worse imo.

I thought that anyone who worked with children under the age of consent had to be checked by the police? If not, parents have to be much more cautious who their children are being taught by.

I thought that anyone who worked with children under the age of consent had to be checked by the police? If not, parents have to be much more cautious who their children are being taught by.

You mean a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check. I have one and insist that my coaches have one. The trouble is:

1. It is down to the establishment you are running your classes whether or not you have a CRB check. It is not a legal requirement yet as far as I know, but most educational establishments i.e. schools demand them. It is becoming more common to demand them.

2. This doesn't guarantee protection because a) Their CRB check might have bene done years ago b) They may be a sex abuser who has never been caught before.

or they may not have offended yet.

or they may not have offended yet.

true. There should be a good teacher/parent relationship. Sadly too many martial arts clubs are treated like creches for parents or just another activity in the week. I had one parent was really put out when I insisted that she at least sit in and view the first lesson.

Some interesting discussion going on there.

To be honest I dont feel im qualified enough on the subject to be wading in.

However, as long as the individual remains in control of his/her bodies there are always going to be sex offenders - human nature? sexual prefrence? chemical imbalances? social background?

Im afraid I dont have the answers to these questions but all I can do like any other member of society can do is remain vigilant and aware of these issues.

Jeltz wrote:
A couple of years ago, though, there was a campaign to lower the age on consent to 14. Had that been successful would he even have been prosecuted?
Quite probably. I know of a situation that resulted in a martial arts instructor being sent to prison for having relations with a student who was 15 (although he alleged that she was 16 before anything happened). He was however considered by the court to have been 'grooming' her from a younger age as well. His sentence I'm fairly sure was 2 years imprisonment and 10 years on the sex offenders register.

In our association, our guidelines quite clearly state that a student should be considered a minor until the age of 18, and even then relationships with students would not be looked upon favourably.

At the end of the day, he crossed the line so IMHO everything he got, he deserved.