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Author
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Topic: In WI its criminal for teens to have sex.......
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Motherkonfessor
unregistered
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posted March 08, 2004 04:30 PM
 
I would first off like to make the point that I am 100% in agreement for laws to protect children from predators. I feel very, very strongly about that.That said, I turn to an article I read in today's Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel. I am quoting liberally from it. quote:
Sarah and her mom didn't know that WI's child abuse law, which makes it a felony for anyone to engage in sex with someone younger than 16, applies to consensual sex BETWEEN teenagers. And it applies even in cases like Sarah's. where the sexual partners are the same age.
Sarah, and her boyfiend, are both charged with sexual assault- on each other- and were prosecuted in juvenile court for having sex with a minor.
quote:
Under a separate law, teachers, school counselors, social workers and other health care providers are recquired to report sexually active adolescents to county protective services officers. Those who fail to report can be fined up to $1,000, face jail time or both.
Its goes on to say that in Racine County alone, last year over 200 cases were prosecuted, including same sex couples. The agency's supervisor says... quote:
It used to be that only boys were apprehended..the idea was that the girls had suffered enough especially if they were pregnant. Today both the boy and girl are being prosecuted in an effort to be more equitable.
The article states that WI's child abuse law is one of the broadest in the nation, but critics say it has spun out of control, and its being used to target kids from low income families. Keep in mind, this is CONSENSUAL sex between the teens. IMO, I wish that teens could refrain from sex until they are emotionally and mentally mature. In reality, I am pretty sure this is NOT going to happen. Making it criminal is ridiculous. Most teens aren't even AWARE of this law (I wasn't until today.) In most states, there has to be a gap of 3 years between the teens to constitute a prosecution. Not here, and altho I am glad that WI is trying to protect children from sexual predators, I think this is ludicrous. How is a teen supposed to get birth control? Ask questions? Seek advice? The people they could turn to are legally obligated to turn them in! What reality is this law geared to- a world we wish was there, or the reality that exists? Any thoughts? MK IP: Logged |
lunacrab1
unregistered
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posted March 08, 2004 05:49 PM
I think teenagers are going to have sex if they want to no matter what anyone else does about it. And making it illegal isn't going to change that. They still drink and experiment with drugs. Maybe these people should spend more time and energy working on a way to help kids raise their self esteem and stuff so they don't feel the need to have sex just to be accepted. I just brought my little sister to get on birth control a few months ago. She's 15, and I don't think she should be having sex yet, but she's not going to stop because of that, and at least now she can do it safely, without catching an STD or getting pregnant. She's already had about 5 of her friends end up pregnant. That is just so ridiculous. I can't believe that anyone would actually think that it's going to work.IP: Logged |
Motherkonfessor
unregistered
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posted March 08, 2004 06:18 PM
Yes lunacrab, that's why I posted this.I agree with you, its completely ridiculous to think that this will work. Let's only talk about absintence, punish kids who get pregnant or ask questions by narc-ing on them to the state, and then judge them for being "unwed mothers" or for needing state assistance to stay out of poverty. It seems so hypocritical.
It makes me angry, to see these things happening. MK IP: Logged |
lunacrab1
unregistered
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posted March 08, 2004 06:23 PM
Honestly they're probably making it even worse in ways other than the obvious. I mean don't most kids tend to do the things they're not supposed to, making it illegal might just be making it even more desirable for some kids.IP: Logged |
theFajita3
unregistered
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posted March 16, 2004 09:17 AM
this world can be so confusing!------------------
Namaste! IP: Logged |
ally
unregistered
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posted May 17, 2004 09:23 AM
It's not just in Wisconsin (my home state) that this is illegal. It's in plenty others,I'm sure. Everyone I know is aware of this law,and yes,it seems very counterproductive.IP: Logged | |
Lindaland
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