While, experts welcome the new rule that pegs consensual sex
at 18 years of age, some teens in the city say that making sex
illegal before 18 is harsh and regressive.
The Protection of Children against Sexual Offences Bill, 2011,
that was cleared on Thursday in the Union Cabinet, says that
sex under the age of 18 —even if consensual — will be
deemed as statutory rape and an offence that will be tried
under the Juvenile Justice Act, carrying a maximum
punishment of three years imprisonment. The bill, though,
has evoked mixed responses. While child rights activists are
calling it regressive, sex experts and counsellors are
welcoming the move. The teens in the city are appalled that
the law makers are not taking note of ground realities.
Teenager Surya Rau, says, "The rule is too harsh. Why should
we wait? No one is going to wait till they turn 18 to have sex.
Puberty hits at the age of 13, what do you want us to do for
five years?"
Naina Kothari, aged 17 too, says, "We are young and want to
experiment now. You can't expect us to wait or give us an
appropriate age limit to have sex. By the time we're 16, we
pretty much have the knowledge we need about the matter.
We also have sex education classes which are adequate."
According to sex and marriage therapist Dr Vinod Chebbi,
"Children as young as 13 indulge in some form of physical
intimacy to satisfy curiosity. For them, sex is for thrills and not
a responsible act," he says and adds, "Adolescents think they
are too young to get pregnant, but old enough to have sex."
However, he says, "Physical intimacy is best entered into at 18
years and above. Fixing the age of consensual sex should
never be based on physical growth. What lawmakers have to
look at is if a young couple is emotionally prepared for the
same. A youngster at 16 is definitely not."
Teenager Shamaila Khan believes that teens will not be
deterred by the new rule, "Nobody cares about the age limit
and no one is going to follow it. But an 18-year-old will be
more mature — emotionally and physically. Parents need to
make their children aware of the consequences of sexual
activities rather than have them face punishment," she says.
The problem, says social worker and child counsellor
Niveditha Kashyap, is that urban children are exposed to
visuals and messages with sexual overtones through TV, the
Net, books and friends. "They're sexually aware and want to
experience physical intimacy at a young age. Making sexual
acts among them punishable can have serious after effects.
One good thing is that those engaging in physical intimacy
with underage youth will be punished," she says.
Experts call for sex education to be imparted to children as
young as 10. "The first step is to teach children the concept of
privacy so that he/she can resist abuse. Also, sex education
should not be confused with lessons on intercourse," says sex
expert Dr Rajan B Bhonsle.
Teenagers speak
Nobody cares about the age limit and no one is going to
follow it. But Parents need to make their children aware of the
consequences of sexual activities.
— Shamaila Khan
It's good that the age bar has been raised, but no one is going
to follow it unless it is enforced. they won't really understand
what they're doing wrong.
— Manisha Rao
I highly doubt that the age restriction has any effect, illegal or
not, because when people want to do something, they will
eventually do it.
— Anish John
The rule is too harsh. No one is going to wait till they turn 18
to have sex. Puberty hits at the age of 13, what do you want us
to do for five years?
— Surya Rau
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