Discussion: Pedophilia and Age of Sexual Consent

Discussion: Pedophilia and Age of Sexual Consent
1. What did you learn about Pedophilia?
I learnt that although pedophilia is a serious sexual problem in the current society, there are measures the society can take towards solving the problem. I learnt that the current legal frameworks on the problem of pedophilia do not support effective solutions to it. Dreger (2013) explains that many governments have placed compulsory reporting arrangements for psychologists and other people who provide heathcare services to the pedophiles. The regulations require the psychologists and other health workers to report the pedophiles to the authorities for action.
The literature on pedophilia has taught me that the society perceives pedophilia as a crime that people commit in a willing manner. The reality, however, is that pedophilia is a sexual orientation. Approaching the problem as a sexual orientation can change the legal system from punishing the offenders through jail terms. Edison (2013) states that solutions like teaching the pedophiles the value of self-control, taking the medications that reduce their sex drive, and teaching them how to live lives that are healthier and more productive, are solutions that can work very well for the pedophiles. However, the rule of compulsory reporting scares the pedophiles from the people who can solve their problems (Dreger, 2013). The law is, therefore, the reason for the persistent problem of pedophilia.
2. Considering both men and women, what do you believe the age of consent in today’s society should be and why?
I believe the age of consent should be eighteen years for both men and women. Although research studies have revealed that women mature faster than men, the interpretation of women’s maturity has relied on their fast rate of physical development rather than their emotional maturity. Eighteen years is appropriate because it is the age at which both sexes are believed to be mature enough to handle matters of sexual relationships. At eighteen years, I believe both men and women can think rationally about sexual relationships and how they are likely to affect their lives. Since the decisions that they make when they are eighteen years and above, the consents that they enter are less likely to bear negative consequences.

References
Dreger, A. (Aug 26, 2013). “What can be Done about Pedophilia?” The Atlantic. Retrieved on
August 28, 2014 from http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/08/what-can-be-done-about-pedophilia/279024/
Edison, J. (2013, February 2). “Pedophilia, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatments and Causes.”
Retrieved October 28, 2014, from http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/p/pedophilia/intro.htm