France sets age of consent to 15 years old, most of Europe age of consent 14-16

[Refractive Reflections]

Originally Posted by Sumac

Age of consent in general meant to legally protect teenagers from creepy adults, not from having romances with each other. IMO, there is nothing wrong with young people starting sexual life in 14-15 years old. Starting families and having kids is another matter altogether.

Naturally, romance between, say 18 years old and 30 years old still might be considered creepy, even if it is not illegal according to law.

Yeah, but how many people that age have the mental maturity for that despite having the physical capability for it? How many 14-15 year olds are going to be responsible in strictly following contraception and STD prevention; with condoms, birth control, regular checks for STIs?

I don't know when the age for adult legal and financial responsibility begins in these European countries, but it seems somewhat awkward that society assumes teenagers that age have the maturity for sexual matters and being able to grasp the possible lifelong repercussions of it, yet do not have the maturity when it comes to taking out loans, having a full driver's license, renting a car, gambling, smoking, maintaining a full-time job, serving in the military, etc. ...Then again, maybe this disparity is found only in the USA.