well, i like how this thread is developing
from a simple and somewhat technical ethics question
it has evolved into a deep analysis of human development.
nice
originally, i registered to this board only to post into this great thread.
i guess i better do it now
but first, i better give you some background.
have you ever thought about, if the many laws, taboos and bans or our world
are really what they claim to be at their face value
or are there some deeper motives
why some possibly harmless things are so outlawed
let's talk about society
or it's ruleing class
in the context of the following theories,
it actually doesn't matter, as on the matters discussed,
the non-ruleing classes have no rights anyway
what does a society need?
first, it must protect itself.
not it's member, that's optional.
so if any member is not necessary for society,
the member will be either left out or even declared enemy.
that is, unless the member has enough influence and power for protection
and what if the society feels, that it needs a good reproduction rate?
guess who become the enemy?
another form of protection is defining who is in and who is out.
and enemy from the outside is a good reason for pulling our ranks together
a good reason for many things that would otherwise be too repressive.
should the enemy be hidden and among our own ranks, the better and merrier
we can start searching for the enemy and watching everybody
and the ones who say who the enemy is are the ones
who promise to protect us from it. no matter the cost.
but what if you must be careful, because you might find,
that you are the enemy?
what if you not only have to watch you neighbours and family
(and be ready to report to you know whom)
but you must suspect yourself of a possible treason?
if you outlaw something that no-one is actually safe against
if not actually ending up doing
but at least wanting to do it
you will get population that fears itself
and feels a constant common guilt
because everybody knows that they have potential to become a criminal.
the worst thing is, that the last solution actually works.
especially if it's connected to something we all have.
i live in an ex-soviet republic
and in soviet union, sexuality was quite a taboo
but everybody is sexual, right
and people who feel guilty because they have dirty thoughts,
they make a very obidient bunch
let's have a bit more modern example
age of consent. especially in the us
just follow the results.
kids are being arrested in the situations,
where both of them end up in jail for rape.
we have the big bad enemy
we have the just cause
who cares about the casualties, we are protecting them.
it does not matter if the process of protection can be worse
than what we are protecting against.
we are makeing a good progress with nominal collateral damage.
i read an expierince once
from the bmezine.com
where a cutter talked about the satanic panic and what she went trough.
that was sick.
but we have society, that has defined the worst crime ever
and competes in eagerness to find and report it.
what makes it worse, show me a person who (ok, sexually active person)
has not at least looked at someone illegaly young with.. well, the look
and i show you either a liar or moron, who believes his/hers own lies.
and the fear feeds on it and deepens.
do you really think, that in such an atmosphere there can be an actually rational decision?
even more, perhaps we are looking at the problem from the wrong angle
perhaps the satisfaction of the customer is not the most important factor.
perhaps what's good for the whole business is
now comes the part some of you most probably will hate me for
how bad can be the regrets of a boy who got himself neutered at young age?
he does not know the feelings he is missing
his body does not cause him problems because he has no physical needs to get what he can't have
he will be a good and tame productive citizen
at worst, a bit sad sometimes. but even that is not so sure.
so, what's the actual problems?
fear that too many boys would want it? no way
fear, that we must admit that kids are aware of their lives and sexuality?
(and sometimes want to give up at least the latter)
my suggestion (it's radical on purpose)
while there should be some age limit, it sould be very low.
but there should be mandatory waiting time and perhaps a consultation with psychologist.
and if all demands are met, snip and done.