Maryland - The Legal Age of Consent

Paper Summary:

This paper studies the problematic age of legal consent in the United States in general and Maryland specifically. It analyzes the importance of maturity in making this decision and argues that maturity and reason is not necessarily decided by age. The author sees that the law seems to divert focus to age rather than to consent. It gives an example of a story about minors having consensual sex but not necessarily willingly. It concludes that children who are immature should be protected from rash decisions in order to make sure they don't get emotionally and physically scarred.

From the Paper:

"Here's something you probably didn't know, boys and girls! According to the "Legal Age of Consent Website," the legal age of consent in the state of Maryland is fifteen. In layperson's terms this means that before the age of fifteen, even if you want to say "yes, yes, yes," a la Meg Ryan in "When Harry Met Sally," certain rules and restrictions may apply. This is reasonable, correct? After all, you are minors. You all have certain special legal protections and privileges (Such as making sure your legal guardian gives you bread, McDonald's milkshakes, and board. Such as the fact mall security noticed those platform shoes you just happened to walk out of Delia's with won't be a part of your permanent record). Why shouldn't the law also reserve an interest in protecting you from your own potential lapses in judgment so you can better become a happy and healthy adult? The image of a fifteen-year-old-girl dating a college student probably not only seems like a huge lapse to your parents and to the world at large but to many of your own minds as well."

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