this post was submitted on 20 Aug 2023
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The age of consent in Germany is 14.
Also applies to other countries in Europe iirc, but I can't confirm that because that's not something I'm willing to put in my search history again.
Edit: It's more complex than that, read the replies by @[email protected] and @[email protected].
Age of consent in Germany is a staggered system. With 14 you're able to consent under specific conditions (them being there's no exploitative element to the relationship), but still could file charge against the older person if they're over 16. With 16 the first rule still applies; from 18 on you're able to consent, period.
So for example when I was 14 I had a boyfriend, also 14, and neither of us committed any crime under this ruling. The law acknowledges that teenagers are allowed to have relationships with each other while putting every borderline case through a case-by-case hearing at court.
It's actually a really good idea, so it kinda is a fun fact.
That's a great idea.
At 14/15 you want to fool about if you have an equally young partner and there's nothing really criminal about it - just discovering sexuality.
14 and 30 though really does have a different ring to it and if that's considered, then credit to the system.
Oh damn, I didn't know it was that deep.
Only for kids in the same age range. And quite frankly, I think that's the right way to do it. As if a law would make horny teenagers not have sex.
Setting the age of consent to 18 years just technically makes them pedophiles if you actually enforce it. And I'm of the opinion that laws should be enforced or removed entirely. Having a law and usually not enforcing it gives rise to a dangerous middle ground where persecution depends on other arbitrary factors. Like income, race or how well the cop likes you.
(If you are interested in German law, just reply and I can explain/translate the relevant parts of the law for you)
Edit: translation is also available here: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_stgb/englisch_stgb.html relevant are sections 176 and 182, which combine to give the often cited 14 years. Even though it never says anything about being above 14 years makes something legal! It is phrased in such a way that kids can have sex legally, while also preventing exploitation of minors.
Here's a map: http://cdn3.chartsbin.com/chartimages/l_543_a574b96ef9274c2a10b8eea7dade8a0d
9 in Yemen? 9?!? Even in Germany they would say "nein!"
Lol Tunisia at 20
And yet Europe seemingly has less child predators than the US.
And you can start drinking beer at 15 if at least one parent is around and agrees.
You can do that at 14 actually.
The Europeans must be asleep seeing that this is still upvoted and the US hasn't been mentioned yet.
edit: nvm they've arrived