Edit: To those downvoting, could please comment the reason as to why you are downvoting? The comments that are there right now do not explain the reason for the downvotes. I am genuinely curious as to what the thinking behind disliking the post is.

Imagine you are a trans woman in the 15th century. You lack the tech to grow boobs. You lack the tech to make ur dick into a vagina. However, the want still exists and is very real.

Now imagine the year is 2124. You are 55 years old. The tech to look exactly like you looked when you were sayyy 12 exists. You want to look like that. I would say that looking like that is your right. It’s your body after all.

However, you are still 55 years old. You just LOOK like a child. But you possess the ability to consent. Is having sex with such people moral? (I would say it is).

This however introduces problems. How do you differentiate between actual children and people who physically look like children? Would this be a political issue then? Would adults who want to have sex with adults (but those who look like kids) be discriminated against? Would there be movements for this?

  • pixxelkick@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    This is already to some degree an existing dilemma. There are already individuals out there who, due to genetic lottery, happen to have an adult body that through some efforts of clothing, makeup, hairstyle, etc, can very much present themselves as substantially younger looking than their actual age.

    Lord knows certain popular niches in the porn industry make this apparant… >_>;

    And from what I have heard on social media, sometimes these individuals couple up with another person who… doesnt look substantially younger.

    And often, these couples face quite a bit of controversy and social stigma, despite everything they are doing and into being 100% legal and, from am objective standpoint, ethically fine (they are two consenting adults after all)

    But I agree that future tech with things like gene editing and whatnot this dilemma will certainly become substantially more pronounced and I think it will likely be yet another group being attacked for daring to live their lives.

    • UraniumBlazer@lemm.eeOP
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      8 months ago

      I think it will likely be yet another group being attacked for daring to live their lives.

      The upvote/downvote ratio for this post scares me already.

      • Mesophar@lemm.ee
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        8 months ago

        The reason for the ratio is because this is very close to a pedophilia apologist viewpoint blurring the lines between attraction and consent. If they are an adult with the body of a twelve year old, why would another adult be sexually attracted to them (their body)? At what point is the line between respecting an individual’s autonomy to present as a minor, and sexually objectifying actual minors?

        But that is why the downvotes. Because it is very easy to read the original post as “nah, it’s not pedophilia, they’re technically legal!”

        • UraniumBlazer@lemm.eeOP
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          8 months ago

          The reason for the ratio is because this is very close to a pedophilia apologist viewpoint blurring the lines between attraction and consent.

          I don’t understand. Do pedophile apologists say that consent isn’t necessary if one is attracted to kids or something? Like those rape defenders who invoke nature to say “rape happens in animals, hence there is nothing immoral about rape in humans”?. Sorry if I come off as a little dense. I am unaware of this viewpoint (in fact, I’ve never really discussed about this topic with anyone before).

          If they are an adult with the body of a twelve year old, why would another adult be sexually attracted to them (their body)?

          Cuz they’re likely a pedophile. But this wouldn’t be immoral as the other party has all the knowledge and experience of a consenting adult.

          At what point is the line between respecting an individual’s autonomy to present as a minor, and sexually objectifying actual minors?

          I imagine that minors are sexually objectified either ways. Like… A pedophile probably thinks of some kid while masturbating, no? How’s that different from having sex with an adult who looks like a kid?

          Because it is very easy to read the original post as “nah, it’s not pedophilia, they’re technically legal!”

          But that is what it is a little, no? Forget legality, I’m talking more on morality grounds. According to my definition of pedophilia, you would still be a pedophile if u were attracted to kid-like people. But in this case, consensual sex would be permissible as no damage is being done to anyone (as both parties can consent).

      • pixxelkick@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        I find it weird how much people give a shit about what consenting adults do for pleasure in the comfort of their own homes, and to their own bodies.

        If they are an adult, it’s their body and their choice.

        And if their choice is to cosplay as a child and bang an older person because that’s what gets their rocks off, I really don’t care.

        It’s honestly not even the most outlandish of fetishes I’ve seen. We got people out there that orgasm from popping balloons, eating shit, and getting kicked in the crotch.

        • UraniumBlazer@lemm.eeOP
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          8 months ago

          We got people out there that orgasm from popping balloons

          WHAT. I wanna see porn of that lmao. Like… Do they moan n stuff when they hear balloons popping? Or would they orgasm after hearing gunfire considering that sounds similar sometimes? Would they be horny constantly in a warzone??? I have so many questions…

  • Pandemanium@lemm.ee
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    8 months ago

    I can’t imagine there would be that many people who would want to look like an actual child. 20-ish, maybe, but not 12. Think about it. You’d have trouble keeping a job because no one would take you seriously. You’d probably get harassed by cops if you tried to drive anywhere. Everyone would treat you like you have no experience or knowledge.

    Trust me, I am one of those people who looks 10-15 years younger than I am. I don’t look nearly as young as 12, but I still do not enjoy looking young. I often feel alienated from my age group because they don’t see me as one of them until they find out my age.

    • UraniumBlazer@lemm.eeOP
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      8 months ago

      I mean… That’s just like saying that noone would want to be trans because society would be asshole-ey to you…

  • I_Fart_Glitter@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    I have a friend who is in her 30s and is 4’11. She looks like an adult woman, just a small one. Her bf is average height. He gets a lot of dirty looks when they are affectionate in public.

  • Achyu@lemmy.sdf.org
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    8 months ago

    Japanese philosophers mangakas seem to have already popularised thought experiments on it

  • Lifecoach5000@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    I would imagine there would eventually be legislation to not let people cosplay under the age of consent with this new tech.

    • UraniumBlazer@lemm.eeOP
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      8 months ago

      Hmm, I can see that happening. Altho how would something like this be enforced? Plus is it ethical to tell consenting adults how they should have sex? If you’re talking about porn, we could see disclaimers like these. But would they even be effective? Wouldn’t they be more like the “confirm you are over 18” popups?