Hmmm...I think rape (forcing yourself on another) is prosecuted as rape.
I think molestation is generally meant to mean sexually inappropriate behavior towards youngsters, but not including intercourse.
I think you are correct in the generally understood meaning of "Statutory rape" and I agree with you that the term "rape" adds confusion to what's really being punished here. "Statutory" seems a little too clinical and sterile, like the only reason it's wrong is just because it's against the law. As opposed to it's against the law because it's wrong, like smoking weed is against the law. It ignores the issue of whether there is a victim, i.e. whether someone's rights were violated.
One question is what does "young humans lacking the legal ability to consent." mean? I would replace "legal ability" with "sexual maturity", adding some legal means to determine sexual maturity, perhaps institute some kind of license to engage in sex earned by some demonstrable process. With some penalty for engaging with others who do not have a license. Just call it "illegal sexual conduct"?
I think part of the problem is our society doesn't raise children to view sex as natural and shelters them from learning about it as such, thereby delaying sexual maturity. Obviously children in 3rd world cultures seem to have no problem with sex at a younger age closer to the onset of puberty.
Then again, I didn't have my first sexual encounter with another until I was 25.
no subject
I think molestation is generally meant to mean sexually inappropriate behavior towards youngsters, but not including intercourse.
I think you are correct in the generally understood meaning of "Statutory rape" and I agree with you that the term "rape" adds confusion to what's really being punished here. "Statutory" seems a little too clinical and sterile, like the only reason it's wrong is just because it's against the law. As opposed to it's against the law because it's wrong, like smoking weed is against the law. It ignores the issue of whether there is a victim, i.e. whether someone's rights were violated.
One question is what does "young humans lacking the legal ability to consent." mean? I would replace "legal ability" with "sexual maturity", adding some legal means to determine sexual maturity, perhaps institute some kind of license to engage in sex earned by some demonstrable process. With some penalty for engaging with others who do not have a license. Just call it "illegal sexual conduct"?
I think part of the problem is our society doesn't raise children to view sex as natural and shelters them from learning about it as such, thereby delaying sexual maturity. Obviously children in 3rd world cultures seem to have no problem with sex at a younger age closer to the onset of puberty.
Then again, I didn't have my first sexual encounter with another until I was 25.