I think people generally agree with you, but there are limits to what people will tolerate anywhere. For instance if Rwanda made a law requiring Hutus to murder of Tutsis, most people would say that’s unacceptable even in Rwanda.
There’s obviously a bright line between ok and not ok in that example, but for marriage it could be a little more unclear. Sure, maybe a 17 year old marrying a 19 year old is ok in some places and not others, but overall no one will probably be that upset about it. However, a majority of the world has a problem with a 50 year old marrying a 10 year old. Where exactly the line is crossed is open to debate, but pretty much everyone agrees there should be a line. Most countries are picking 18 as that line because it’s better to have an imperfect choice rather than none at all.
Almost all age of consent laws and marriage laws (not finding a good map on this one) start well into puberty. Pretty funny seeing all the 18 countries right next to “no age” countries.
And the US is all over the place! I could hop any of 3 state lines and bangin’ a 16-yo is fine. Meanwhile, at home, 17 would see me in a concrete and steel box. Weird. Of course our laws make Europe look positively rapey, if one believes 18 is some moral, hard limit. Guess it’s no surprise our laws are more puritanical.
Yep! Suddenly, TRAFFICKING! So weird living in such a huge country with so many conflicting laws. I have to check myself carrying a pistol across state lines!
Are any other countries like this?! Fuck me. Federal, state, county and city laws can all be contradictory.
I think people generally agree with you, but there are limits to what people will tolerate anywhere. For instance if Rwanda made a law requiring Hutus to murder of Tutsis, most people would say that’s unacceptable even in Rwanda.
There’s obviously a bright line between ok and not ok in that example, but for marriage it could be a little more unclear. Sure, maybe a 17 year old marrying a 19 year old is ok in some places and not others, but overall no one will probably be that upset about it. However, a majority of the world has a problem with a 50 year old marrying a 10 year old. Where exactly the line is crossed is open to debate, but pretty much everyone agrees there should be a line. Most countries are picking 18 as that line because it’s better to have an imperfect choice rather than none at all.
Almost all age of consent laws and marriage laws (not finding a good map on this one) start well into puberty. Pretty funny seeing all the 18 countries right next to “no age” countries.
And the US is all over the place! I could hop any of 3 state lines and bangin’ a 16-yo is fine. Meanwhile, at home, 17 would see me in a concrete and steel box. Weird. Of course our laws make Europe look positively rapey, if one believes 18 is some moral, hard limit. Guess it’s no surprise our laws are more puritanical.
Funny enough, hopping the state line to do it is not so fine…but if you happen to be in the state for a different reason…
Yep! Suddenly, TRAFFICKING! So weird living in such a huge country with so many conflicting laws. I have to check myself carrying a pistol across state lines!
Are any other countries like this?! Fuck me. Federal, state, county and city laws can all be contradictory.