Till three years ago, the age of consent for sexual relations in the Philippines was just 12 years. In the Christian country, the graph of sexual abuse reached so much that one in every five children started falling prey to extreme situation. After heavy uproar, it was finally increased to 16 in the year 2022. In Japan too, the age of consent on sexual relations was 13 years, which was extended some time ago. What is the reason that the rest of the countries are increasing the Edge of Consent and why are we discussing to reduce it?
The Philippines has been in the few countries in the world where sexual consent was extremely young, only 12 years. This was the rule there since the year 1930. Actually, this country was an American colony earlier. After that Penal Code was revised. People of that era believed that the age of 12 is the age of childhood from childhood to puberty and the girl can be ready for marriage.
Religion also has angle
This is a Catholic-bound country, the church believes that sex should be formed only after marriage. This is the reason that girls started getting married early and there was no serious debate about increasing age. For the first time in the eighties, the talk of women’s rights started, but even then the government remained silent on this issue. Since the church remained against contraceptive and sex education, the demand to increase the Edge of Consent was buried.
What disadvantage
Teen-Eg Pregnancy began to grow continuously. An adult also escaped by creating a relationship with a 13 or 14 year old girl. Now weddings were not happening, but rapes were increasing. As a result, millions of girls became minor girls mother. The United Nations report says that the Philippines had become a teen-edge pregnancy capital in South-East Asia. The Health Ministry report itself shows that in the year 2020, about 500 girls were getting pregnant every day. His school left and life stopped.
UN agencies started under control that the Philippines changed their rules. In the year 2021, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child clear said that in 12 years the consent is against the international standards. Now there was pressure on the country that it could be difficult if he did not listen to the matter. Maternity and infant mortality had also increased. By then 9 decades had passed. Now the Philippines felt that this law is not only old, but also dangerous. Considering the age of 12 as a legal consent was actually a way to avoid criminals. It was increased to 16 years in the year 2022.
The condition of developed countries Japan is no different
The criminal code there was running since 1907, in which the age of consent was 13 years. This meant that the law of a 13 -year -old girl could also agree to sexual relations. If a case had gone to court, sexual criminals would have escaped by lying.
Even there was very limited to the definition of rape. The law used to say that rape would be considered only when forced sexual relations have been created. The victim had to prove that she opposed with full force, but still could not save herself. If the girl is scared, kept quiet, or not in a position to protest, then the court believed that it is not a rape, it is consensus.
By the way, the teen-edge pregnancy in Japan was not as much as in the Philippines, but the online exploitation of young girls had intensified. The culprits knew that they would escape. At the time of 2020, there were heavy protection against sexual offenses there. The UN also pressurized that he brought the age of consent to the global standards. Finally, two years ago, the Parliament of Japan passed the new law, in which the age of consent was increased from 13 to 16 years. Also, the relationship created under drunk or under pressure was put in the category of rape.
How much brain can develop in 16 years
Now many countries are thinking of increasing the age of consent from 16 to 18, while there is talk of reducing it in India. The argument of this side is that many times tin-aerrs are in a romantic relationship, but due to age it is also put in the category of rape and boys get severe punishment.
However, its second aspect is more serious. At the age of 16, children have grown physically, but the brain would not have been completely developed yet. In particular, prefrontal cortex, which works to take decisions, understand risks and control emotions, is not fully made. That is, people of this age cannot be emotionally prepared to have sexual relations with full understanding.
It may be that after this he goes on a gilt trip, becomes a victim of depression or constantly gets caught in wrong relationships. If one partner is older, then the other can also be a victim of pressure due to young age. Studies leave, so different. This is the reason why the center itself is insisting on maintaining the current age limit.
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