Across the nation the legal age of consent varies from state to state. In Texas, the age of consent is 17 even though one cannot lawfully buy cigarettes until age 18 or alcohol until age 21
Should the age of consent be changed? Should the age be different for women and men? Should the age be different depending on whether the conduct involves same sex or different sex partners?
Student views will vary. But students might raise the following points in support of their respective positions:
• Sexual behavior is driven by biology. This is different than making a personal choice to buy cigarettes or alcohol.
• Males and females reach puberty earlier than 17 so current law ignores biological reality.
• Because of societal factors, such as television, movies, and advertisements, individuals become more aware of sex at an earlier age than in the past.
• Even though Texas's age of consent is 17, every other states' statutory age is only one year on either side of this standard. So, there is near unanimity of opinion across the country regarding the age of consent.
• Research suggests that males and females develop mentally and psychological at different rates until maturity. Such differences probably are too minor to warrant different ages of consent.
• Having a higher age of consent for same sex activities might reduce sexual predator behavior.
• Any proposed changes to the age of consent should consider modern societal norms and the results of medical and psychological research on sexual conduct.
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