Free Kate

[OceanAnnie]

I agree with you on everything except whether gay rights groups will take this on. Thank you for letting me explain myself, sorry it took so many posts.

I think the defendant may be able to get this reduced further to perhaps misdemeanors. But her parents should stop vilifying the victm's parents. I think that's hurting not helping.

It's been interesting chatting with you. I'm glad you explained. I wanted to know.

I agree with the bolded, vilifying the victim's parents is hurting Kate's case. In the end it's about 2 girls with their whole lives ahead of them. I hope they both will be able to put this behind them and lead the lives they were meant to live. I do think about if either of these girls were mine what I would do. I have a clear notion. Love and guidance outside of the spotlight.

I hope both families can find peace and move on when this is all said and done.

 

[robinb]

You think it is somehow inappropriate to bring NAMBLA into a discussion about adults having sex with children? I mean, where would you draw the line? If 18 and 14 are OK, is 18 and 13? How about 18 and 12? Oops, now we really are in NAMBLA territory. Its really not so far fetched. Both of my DDs started HS at 13 and there were20 yo seniors there at the time. Do you really believe 20 and 13 are peers even if they are schoolmates?

I think that you are using hyperbole to attempt to make your point and when you do it lessens the impact of what you are trying to say. Just like people tune out arguments that include comparisons to Hitler, many people tune out comparisons to NAMBLA. Especially when the argument us used in relation to gay people. I guess if you want to continue that line of argument you are welcome to, but don't expect anyone to take the bait.

 

[Nancyg56]

You think it is somehow inappropriate to bring NAMBLA into a discussion about adults having sex with children? I mean, where would you draw the line? If 18 and 14 are OK, is 18 and 13? How about 18 and 12? Oops, now we really are in NAMBLA territory. Its really not so far fetched. Both of my DDs started HS at 13 and there were 20 yo seniors there at the time. Do you really believe 20 and 13 are peers even if they are schoolmates?

I think if we were discussing a 20 or 15 YO having sex with a 10 or 12 YO, your discussion would have a place here, however we are talking about a 14 YO and an 18 YO. While I agree that the 18 YO broke the law, and that the 14 YO is a minor child, I cannot understand how you have made your stretch.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I think punkin's point is in illustrating how a person views the line. It's very subjective. I think her point is, a young adult is still an adult. The line is there. Saying an 18 year old is a peer to a 14 year old is a stretch to many.

Calling a romantic relationship "okay" because of the circumstance of school is a stretch to many.

Punkin mentioned an organization where their very premise is based on adult/child relationships and it makes people uncomfortable. As it should, IMO.

I think she's trying to say, how can an adult/child relationship be a little bit wrong? It's a point some might not agree with, but some do. I don't think she should be chastised for making it.

 

[punkin]

My comparison is not hyperbole. It is quite literally the same thing: namely adults having what they term "consensual" intercourse with children. The difference is only one of degree.

ETA: so my question is where do we as a society draw the line? If 14 is OK, how about 13 or 12 or 11?

 

[chobie]

My comparison is not hyperbole. It is quite literally the same thing: namely adults having what they term "consensual" intercourse with children. The difference is only one of degree.

ETA: so my question is where do we as a society draw the line? If 14 is OK, how about 13 or 12 or 11?

You brought up NAMBLA, an organization that promotes pedophilia (sex with prepubescent children) because I said I didn't consider my 15 year old brother's 18 year old girlfriend a "sexual abuser." According to you, that must mean I'm okay with grown men having sex with 8-9 year old children.

That's ridiculous.

Do you think this Kate Hunt should get the same sentence as an adult who bribes a 6 year old to perform oral sex on him?

 

[EPCOTatNight]

I just had seven teenagers over:

17 y/o gay male (will turn 18 this year)
19 y/o gay female (just turned 19 this month)
3 -18 y/o females
2 - 18 y/o males
And yes, I pointed out that two are gay to show that there is some diversity.

I asked them if they would consider dating someone who was 14 or 15 y/o. The look of complete horror that crossed all of their faces was priceless. They simply couldn't imagine being attracted to someone that young. Of course, that lead into the Free Kate discussion and all seven of them were well aware of the fact that an 18 y/o can get in trouble for having sex with a minor. They didn't know the exact age of consent, but they all agreed that the gross factor is eliminated around the age of 16. Anything younger than that was "disgusting and illegal" in their eyes.

It boggles my mind that Kate's parents would allow and encourage her to date a 14 y/o.

And you believe them?

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[luvsJack]

I just had seven teenagers over:

17 y/o gay male (will turn 18 this year)
19 y/o gay female (just turned 19 this month)
3 -18 y/o females
2 - 18 y/o males
And yes, I pointed out that two are gay to show that there is some diversity.

I asked them if they would consider dating someone who was 14 or 15 y/o. The look of complete horror that crossed all of their faces was priceless. They simply couldn't imagine being attracted to someone that young. Of course, that lead into the Free Kate discussion and all seven of them were well aware of the fact that an 18 y/o can get in trouble for having sex with a minor. They didn't know the exact age of consent, but they all agreed that the gross factor is eliminated around the age of 16. Anything younger than that was "disgusting and illegal" in their eyes.

It boggles my mind that Kate's parents would allow and encourage her to date a 14 y/o.

Maybe the size of the high school or the way things are divided among grades but the teens you spoke to would be in the minority here.

Tomorrow dd will spend the day at a waterpark. In the group that will be together there will be a good mixture of 14/15-17/18 year olds. Some are dating. Not having sex I am guessing but they are dating.

These kids have spent the entire year in choir together. They are very close and enjoy doing things together. And this of course is how a relationship can begin.

 

[Colleen27]

Its not ok for a 14 year old to have sex. But it shouldn't necessarily make the 18 year old a sex offender.

I agree. Ill advised and criminal are (or should be) two completely different standards. I'm not saying I think 14s should be dating 18yos. I simply don't believe that when it does happen, it warrants criminal charges.

So is a 17 year old having sex with a 15 year old. If you read about a 17 and a 15 year old, would you feel the same way about it?

Heck, in some states even a few months' age difference would do it. If we're going strictly based on the law, someone who is 18 and 2 days having sex with someone who is 17 and 364 days is a sex offender in several states. The fact that an absurdity is written into law doesn't make it less absurd.

 

[chobie]

I agree. Ill advised and criminal are (or should be) two completely different standards. I'm not saying I think 14s should be dating 18yos. I simply don't believe that when it does happen, it warrants criminal charges.

Heck, in some states even a few months' age difference would do it. If we're going strictly based on the law, someone who is 18 and 2 days having sex with someone who is 17 and 364 days is a sex offender in several states. The fact that an absurdity is written into law doesn't make it less absurd.

Or this scenario in Florida: it would be a 3rd degree felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison if a a boy who just turned 17 touched the clothed breasts of his girlfriend who was 15 and 11 months. Would a prosecutor press charges in this scenario? Maybe, maybe not. But it is against the law.

And according to Punkin just as bad as an adult male fondling the genitalia of a 5 year old.

 

[skatalite]

I'm surprised to see so many parents on here admit they'd jump to, not only conclusions, but to the absolute extreme option if they found out their high school-aged teenager was consensually engaging in sexual activities with an older classmate.

Few have said they'd have a discussion with their child, and none have said they'd want to meet the boyfriend/girlfriend to see who their kid finds to be so special and worthy of what they're giving them.

Nope. It's right to the phone to call the police and begin pressing those charges.

Meanwhile lives get crumbled beneath the weight of the law, albeit one that should be better defined (in my opinion).

Thank goodness my wife's parents weren't like that. She was 15, and I turned 18 a month after we began falling in love. We've been together for close to 11 years now. Had the police been called on me, I could very well still be in prison.

 

[Robbi]

Have y'all heard that Kaitlyn Hunt ran away to Kate's house and that she was hiding helping to hide Kaitlyn from her parents?

 

[foreUT]

I agree with you on everything except whether gay rights groups will take this on. Thank you for letting me explain myself, sorry it took so many posts.

I think the defendant may be able to get this reduced further to perhaps misdemeanors. But her parents should stop vilifying the victm's parents. I think that's hurting not helping.

Has anyone explained why Kate's parents permitted Kate to bring the 14yo to their home to spend the night?

 

[mrsksomeday]

Thoughts on the new details in this case?

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...ted-pretrial-release-20130816,0,7776496.story

 

[Robbi]

Thoughts on the new details in this case?

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...ted-pretrial-release-20130816,0,7776496.story

Seems like Kaitlyn wants to go to jail. She's her own worst enemy.

 

[chobie]

Seems like Kaitlyn wants to go to jail. She's her own worst enemy.

Unbelievably stupid of her.

 

[LisaR]

Seems like Kaitlyn wants to go to jail. She's her own worst enemy.

 

[FLCyndi]

And you believe them?

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Why would you not believe them?

 

[robinb]

*sigh* Someone's got to nail that girl's fins to the floor.

 

[ashley0139]

I'm surprised to see so many parents on here admit they'd jump to, not only conclusions, but to the absolute extreme option if they found out their high school-aged teenager was consensually engaging in sexual activities with an older classmate.

Few have said they'd have a discussion with their child, and none have said they'd want to meet the boyfriend/girlfriend to see who their kid finds to be so special and worthy of what they're giving them.

Nope. It's right to the phone to call the police and begin pressing those charges.

Meanwhile lives get crumbled beneath the weight of the law, albeit one that should be better defined (in my opinion).

Thank goodness my wife's parents weren't like that. She was 15, and I turned 18 a month after we began falling in love. We've been together for close to 11 years now. Had the police been called on me, I could very well still be in prison.

I totally agree with you. Some parents here are willing to completely RUIN another person's life because they're mad about their kids' choices. It boggles the mind. Teenagers are having sex. It happens. I can't imagine finding out my 14 year old was having sex with an 18 year old and immediately running to the police (of course, as long as it was consensual). That's crazy.