Wait, what?

[kierthos]

Washington court: Sex between teachers, 18 year-olds OK

That's not what bothers me. Yeah, you can argue all day whether or not 14 or 15 or 16 year-olds are mature enough mentally to consent to sex or not. (Frankly, I don't think 14 or 15 year-olds are, some 16 year-olds might be, but it's iffy at that age.)

18? Shit yes. If they're old enough to serve in the military, they're old enough to get laid.

No, here's what bothers me about this article.

Some state legislators are set on changing the law. On Monday, six state representatives introduced legislation that would make it a crime punishable by a mandatory minimum of five years in prison for a teacher to have sex with a student up to age 21, as long as the teacher is five years older than the student and at the same school.

What.

Okay, so a 21 year old student has sex with a teacher that is older then 26, and that would be a crime? It doesn't even have to be their teacher, and it's still a crime?

WHAT THE FUCK WASHINGTON, OVER?

Comments

[cuddlycthulhu.livejournal.com]

Part of the argument behind the teacher/student thing is the relationship. While I totally agree with you, if an eighteen year-old student wants to shag a hot teacher, then sure, but I think that if they are the teen's teacher they should wait until they aren't. Why? Because of abuses of power. By making it a blanket case that teachers do not have sex with students, yes, that hurts those people who are actually consenting and it's legal all the way around (like with an eighteen year-old student) but it protects the students from the teachers who would use their position of authority negatively. Same goes for psychiatrists/psychologists/counselors.

[kierthos.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but the law this dickheads want to pass say if the student is as old as 21 (you know, an adult), and the teacher is older then 26, and they have sex, it would be a crime.

Even if the teacher doesn't actually have the 21 year-old in any classes. They both just have to be at the same school.

It's goddamned ridiculous.

[cuddlycthulhu.livejournal.com]

Ok, that's kind of stupid. It'd be one thing if the teacher had the student in a class or in the same department (issues re: conflict of interest could arise) but just at the same school? Yeah, that's dumb.

[sabrarosa.livejournal.com]

Yes, we Americans like to arbitrarily decide when childhood ends and begins. When it comes to sex, especially, we want kids to be kids until they're 30. Conveniently, when we need cannon fodder, voters or a fall guy/girl for prosecutors trying to be tough on crime, suddenly childhood ends much much sooner. It's absolute bullshit.

I agree that a teacher having sex with one of their students is an ethical lapse but it should not be a criminal offense. Fire the teacher? Yes, but throw them in jail? Gimme a break. Save the cells for the really dangerous folks like murderers and rapists.

[kierthos.livejournal.com]

Exactly.

Although, I'm a bit of a harsh bastard. I think we should bring back work gangs. Prison should not be three hots and a cot.

[sabrarosa.livejournal.com]

Well, I am not terribly with that idea since all it does is create really pissed off and physically fit criminals. I'd prefer to teach them something useful so when they come out, they have other options than becoming more effective criminals.

[kierthos.livejournal.com]

Hrm. Good point.

I like the idea of teaching them a trade too. But basically, there needs to be significant deterrents to not minding going back to prison. Of course, that would require cutting off the various drug pipelines into the prisons, for one....

[morinon.livejournal.com]

As a WA resident, I echo your wtf. Evidently, our entire state government consists of unabashed RETARDS.

Kind of makes me appreciate the merely corrupt bastards at the local level.

[delwin.livejournal.com]

people are starting to wise up that there isn't one line in the sand for maturity. There's actually three (physical, mental, emotional).

Unfortunately they're going to fuck this up six ways to Sunday before they even come close to getting it right.

[cuddlycthulhu.livejournal.com]

Well, of course they are.

Between then and some sensible outcome we've got America's fucked up views on sex, "BUT THINK OF THE CHILDREN!", actually trying to balance when someone is mature and when someone is being a stupid kid, ACTUALLY protecting children from predators, and trying to find a gauge for maturity.

[jdack.livejournal.com]

Probably also concerned that the naughty temptation of doing it at school will be irresistible.

I mean c'mon, you're nailing a hot teacher and don't try to get her to do it on the desk or up against the chalk board? Please.