Let's Get Awkward: When is "Legal" Still Disgusting?

[Con T.]

So, if this story is to be believed at all, James Franco is kind of a creepy pervert.

Here's the TL;DR.

• Scottish girl goes to see a performance of James Franco's Of Mice and Men on Broadway
• Girl asks after the show, girl uploads a video of Franco. Franco then replies, "you gotta tag me"
• Franco does so, and starts PM'ing her, asking her about a hotel meeting.
• Franco sends copious evidence this is actually him.
• Probably most important thing to know; the girl is seventeen

Here's the evidence;

It is worth noting, seventeen is legal in New York. But I can't help but get creeptastic vibes from this story, and from Franco. As I would, to be honest, with anyone flirting with a seventeen year old. No one is asking for James Franco to be tried, and I won't either. But while this isn't a matter of the law, it is a matter of sensitivities and taste... All of which I feel James Franco goes beyond the line with.

So my questions are as follows;

What do you make of someone hitting on someone who's legal, but clearly too young?

Should we consider moving the age of legality to a national consensus, rather than be state by state? And is there an age that feels appropriate?

Because to me, it isn't seventeen, and I'm sort of curious what everyone else thinks.

 

[Mustang Sally]

What do you make of someone hitting on someone who's legal, but clearly too young?

Mixed feelings. Franco's intentions seem rotten but it always strikes me how the legal system regards a 17-year-old essentially the same as a 7-year-old: they're all minors. Honestly, I'm surprised by how much a 7-year-old knows about what's going on around him, yet law enforcement often looks at the 17-year-old as knowing no more than the 7, which is ludicrous.

At 17, I'd hesitate to regard the Scottish girl as a "victim" of a sexual predator. She was savvy enough to be cautious, although much of her reticence seems to revolve around whether he's the movie star he claims to be. But she appeared know the score.

As for Franco, he surely knows the risks of what he's doing. Still, the idea of putting all this in writing is insane and makes me wonder if he's so bowled over by his own fame that he thinks himself invulnerable to the authorities......for which he might even be correct. But who would want to take the chance, especially with all he has to lose?

Should we consider moving the age of legality to a national consensus, rather than be state by state? And is there an age that feels appropriate?

Hard to say. When it comes to the purchase of alcohol, we have to be 21.....yet in most other matters, people are considered adults at 18. And, as the OP is saying, 17 is the legal age of consent in New York for...... what? The okay to have sex with movie stars? Hmmm.

Well, at which age are they truly regarded as adults, then? Since we're being asked, I guess I'd pick 18: at that age, they can sign contracts and be held legally responsible for their own actions (unless they want to buy booze). At 18, they're having sex and producing babies by the basketful; I suppose they're old enough to decide whether or not to meet a 35-year-old celebrity. You take your chances, you deal with the outcome.

 

[Con T.]

Mixed feelings. Franco's intentions seem rotten but it always strikes me how the legal system regards a 17-year-old essentially the same as a 7-year-old: they're all minors. Honestly, I'm surprised by how much a 7-year-old knows about what's going on around him, yet law enforcement often looks at the 17-year-old as knowing no more than the 7, which is ludicrous.

At 17, I'd hesitate to regard the Scottish girl as a "victim" of a sexual predator. She was savvy enough to be cautious, although much of her reticence seems to revolve around whether he's the movie star he claims to be. But she appeared know the score.

I can agree, to some extent. And while there are those totally cognizant and aware at seventeen, surely not all seventeens are. I also don't know if I neccesarily agree that law enforcement looks at seventeen the way they do seven... We do allow them to drive, something I'd reason that no seven year old would accomplish. Perhaps I'm taking your words too literally here, and should abide more by the idea of your statement, rather than the literal matter here.

And I can agree, perhaps we have too protective a look at minors... Or perhaps, too limited a notion of what they are and aren't capable of. But we also don't have the time or resources in the justice system to look at each teenager on a case by case basis. Some kids are ready at seventeen, and some aren't. But I think that there needs to be a protection for those that aren't ready at seventeen. And hell... I wasn't ready at seventeen. If I knew half what I know, why I did then, I doubt I'd do certain things that I did.

 

[Mustang Sally]

And I can agree, perhaps we have too protective a look at minors... Or perhaps, too limited a notion of what they are and aren't capable of.

This principle always brings me back to my Dad's liquor store. If a 14-year-old gets a gun and holds up a convenience store, he's held fully responsible for his actions, and has to pay the price, which is proper.

But if the same kid ages 6 years, procures a phony ID and induces a liquor store or bar to sell him alcohol, all law enforcement seems to worry about punishing is the store, claiming that the kid was "just a minor." We saw it happen a bunch of times in the liquor business over the years (fortunately, never to my Dad).

The point of mentioning that is if an adult is involved in the "transaction," he/she is deemed responsible for protecting the minor, even if the minor is looking to do them harm...the implication being that the minor didn't know he was doing wrong, which is bullshit.

This could be applied to Franco, too. If authorities want to bust him, then do it.....but let's not pretend the girl didn't know what was going on.

Example: would she tell her Mother about the correspondence and her plans to meet Franco.....or would she hide it from her?

 

[LSN80]

What do you make of someone hitting on someone who's legal, but clearly too young?

The issue I took with what I read in the conversation was how forward Franco was, and his anticipation of them hopping in the sack. This happens all the time, I imagine. Not only with movie stars and adoring fans, but also with people who are attracted to one another online. They send pictures, strike up a conversation, and someone proposes a meet. Its Francos persistence, then assumption of bedding her(Should I get a hotel'?) that strikes me as creepy. The girls I knew that were my age when I was 17 weren't savvy or mature enough to handle an encounter with a movie star such as this, and I don't believe this girl was either. Why else post it online( to Instagram was it?)? To draw attention to herself.

The part I struggle with is in reading James Franco's texts with this girl. He clearly knows shes too young("Don't tell") and that makes him all the more persistent. And that's the part I find being in poor taste, and makes him look like a scumbag. While not illegal, it was a furtive attempt to(seemingly)take advantage of a young woman.

Paul Walker is another interesting case study. He met his girlfriend who, At the time of his death, she was 23. Walker was 40. Their relationship had been seven years long, and yet, she was left completely out of his will. This was of total shock and disbelief to her. It's another case where it seems a man obviously misrepresented his intent, or the level of commitment he had towards a much younger woman.(Not that I'm to say where he should have left his money) I asked in another thread if it was insensitive to criticize Walker so shortly after his death, but I can't help but do it here. In my eyes, she seemed like a convenience to have around, a young vibrant woman in her early 20's, not a mature woman on equal footing with Walker.

Since they dated 7 years, this means she was 16 when they met, he 33. Does a 16 year old dating a 33 year old seem along the lines of normalcy? Or does it cross the line into the older taking advantage of the younger? For the younger one, is this a relationship one would be comfortable sharing with their father or mother? Or, would it make more sense that they'ld take every precaution to hide it?

You tell me.

Should we consider moving the age of legality to a national consensus, rather than be state by state? And is there an age that feels appropriate?

I like the idea of a national consensus, to be honest. I'm always fascinated to see what draws older men to women much younger then them, and moreso, to see if the relationship has staying power.

Still, I think theres a responsibility to be had to protect younger women from men much older then them. Not because the man approaches with poor intent all the time. There's also that it's so damn easy for a younger woman to become swept away into a place they're simply not prepared for.

I think you have to define an age legally, and I think that should be uniform across a country. If you don't, what's to stop someone who can't consent in one state simply going to another to have sex? Morally is a different story, and I believe it should be when two people are in a place where they're able to be on equal footing in a relationship.

A 15-20 year difference for someone in their teens or early twenties feels morally wrong. There's so much of life said people need to experience to be able to even handle a relationship with the rich and famous. The rules of life for them are different.

Being sucked into that vortex seems far too complex and beyond the maturity of someone in their teens and even early twenties. Yes, it's a ridiculous notion to believe that should even be enforceable law. However, there are higher stakes in play here. One's morality should be that guiding principle, above all else.

The question every person that enters into such a relationship(with a wide age gap and one at a young age), is this:

Is this in the best interest of the other person, or am I pursuing while in a position of power in the relationship(regardless of relationship type)?
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On a side note, Haiku, you've made several threads regarding appropriateness when it comes to women, both in age and in how they're talked to, as well as perception of them physically. Are you just that swell of a guy and one hell of a gentleman? Because there seems to be some passion behind it, something personal, almost.

 

[Richard Blonoff]

This really weirds me out and it makes me uneasy while reading it. It takes a lot to get me to that point. The reason I feel compelled to comment on this is that I have a relatable story.

When I was 21, I met this girl working at this little ice cream shop. We were the only ones in the establishment so we struck up conversation and by the end of the night I ended up getting her number. We ended up texting for a couple of weeks and and I would visit her at work, it ended up in a lot of making out while she "took out the trash" and eventually we went on a proper date and ended up sleeping together after said date. Now I'm not proud of this, but I never took the time to find out how old she was. I just assumed that due to her working late nights during the week and texting me at all hours of the day that she was 18. Luckily for me she was, but she was still a senior in high school at the time, which made me feel all sorts of guilty. Even if she hadn't been 18, the age of consent in both Indiana(me) and Kentucky(where she is from) is 16, but it made me feel like I took advantage of someone. Like I said, I'm not proud of this at all. Since that day, I haven't even so much as flirted with girls that I was unsure if they were under 21, let alone 18, so I find it difficult to wrap my head around how Franco, or anyone, could do something like that.

In all of the guilt I felt, I researched age of consent laws like I was studying for an exam. I found some really interesting things, especially in what varies from state to state. In Indiana the age of consent is 16 but if I take the ninety minute drive into Illinois then the age of consent is 17. That presents potential complications. Especially when some states have closeness of age exceptions that will allow 14 and 15 year olds to have sex with someone up to five years older and it be considered consensual. I'm an immature fucker and even at almost 24 years of age I sometimes wonder if I truly should be making big decisions on my own, but how many 14 year olds do you know that are mature enough to make that sort of decision? I think the nation needs to move to a national age of consent. Be it 16, 17, 18, whatever. Of course there will still be 16 year olds who are more mature than 21 year olds. There will be 18 year olds who have the maturity of a 12 year old, but the US needs to move to a national age of consent.

 

[Con T.]

Is this in the best interest of the other person, or am I pursuing this to be in a position of power in the relationship(regardless of relationship type)?

And I think that's a part of it... The need to have that sort of power. I guess it would strike me as odd that someone like Franco would have that need.... But there is a control aspect to it, as well. And I think that becomes part of the problem, when one person in the relationship is deigned with all the power. And that isn't how a relationship works... It's an equal balance of power, and at the least an attempt at one.

So I guess the question becomes, is that possible in a relationship with such a wide age gap?

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On a side note, Haiku, you've made several threads regarding appropriateness when it comes to women, both in age and in how they're talked to, as well as perception of them physically. Are you just that swell of a guy and one hell of a gentleman? Because there seems to be some passion behind it, something personal, almost.

I make no bones about it... It is my own little personal agenda. I used to work a center for raped and assaulted women.... So there is that extra bit of sensitivity, when it comes to matters such as this. Though I am no gentlemen... Just a bloke with his own agenda.

 

[FitFinlay4Life]

I'm always fascinated to see what draws older men to women much younger then them, and moreso, to see if the relationship has staying power.

I think this has been ingrained for millennia. Women's rights is a relatively (very) new thing. Arranged marriages, dowries - women were treated as possessions for a very long time. Such a long tradition going down generation upon generation leaves a legacy.

As to staying power; my grandfather was 12 years older than my grandmother and they were married over 50 years until he sadly passed on; my father is 10 years older than my mum and they'll soon hit the 40 year mark and my wee sister married a man 10 years her senior and has passed the decade of wedded bliss. My family tree would suggest some staying power to this dynamic.

 

[DarksideEric]

10 year difference is my stopping point (it was less than that the closer I was to 21 obviously). At 31 years old, I will not date or even hit on someone who is younger than 21. And even someone who is 21 would be a tough sell for me.

I don't agree with his actions, but that's not my call to make.

 

[Viola Moonlight]

What do you make of someone hitting on someone who's legal, but clearly too young?

Legally, don't care. Personally, don't care.

The basic factors for me would be to say that as long as all individuals are consenting and abiding the laws set for them, then everything is okay concerning the relationship and/or sexual relations. Sure, it might draw ire and judgemental looks/comments from most (and if the person looks really young, sometimes myself) but at the core of my argument, I'm sticking by the first sentence.

Sometimes, people change their opinions when it happens to themselves (and whilst that it certainly true for me), this is one where I still stand by the same judgement I have for others. I'm not the kind of person to go out freely and have sex with anyone, nor do I go out and actively look for a partner. I've got the notion whereby I won't be partaking in either activity until I find a "special someone" who instantly connects with me. If that person happens to have turned legal age only recently, then that factor of being too young becomes null and void (EDIT: Let me be clear in saying that I won't meet someone who is underage and wait, counting down the days until they turn legal age to have sex because I feel that is completely wrong). However, if I were the kind of person who went out and had sexual relations freely then I'd definitely be straying away from those who are too young because I'm only committing to the act of sex, which lasts minutes-to-hours whereas dating somebody is a long commitment.

So, applying my own logic to other relationships where one person looks too young, I'm going to skip judgement after the initial reaction. I don't know any intimate details nor am I in their position so who am I to sit there and rant?

If you want to have sex with anyone who is of age and everyone is 110% consenting, it shouldn't really matter. Sure, most people will stare at you for hitting on someone who is of young age but as long as everything is in order, who are we to stop them?

Should we consider moving the age of legality to a national consensus, rather than be state by state? And is there an age that feels appropriate?

Definitely.

A majority of Australian states and territories show that the legal age of consent is 16, with the exception of two states describing 17 as the legal age (although there is one funny rule with one state saying anal sex is consenting from 18 and above whilst all other sex is 16). It isn't that much of a difference since the two states mentioned have a lower population than and are far away from where the majority of Australians live so it isn't as much a worry as the United States but to avoid confusion and unnecessary sexual abuse cases, a nation-wide law should be implemented.

As for the particular age, that is something I wouldn't be able to answer in detail. Whilst 16 feels like it could be too young, this is when teenagers are usually self-aware at this point and should make their own decisions about sex. The threat of teen pregnancy is real in Australia and it does put strains on these young girls and their families, thus supporting an older consenting age... but sex isn't something you can put a restriction on and it'll magically disappear. Teenagers are sexually active and will want to experiment, whether that be with an older person or among their peers.

Honestly, I think that 16 is the lowest age of consent with 18 being the absolute highest. Apart from morals and ethics, teenagers of that age are physically and (usually) mentally ready for sex so why stop them?

 

[Alex]

Well it might have been a publicity stunt for Franco's new film Palo Alto where he plays a teacher interested in a school girl.

Onto the question at hand. It's a rather blurred line. There are women who are attracted to older men and men attracted to younger women. The 'legal but to young' debate as well is also a bit blurred. There are 18 year olds far more mature than women who are 28.

Honestly like most things it depends on a person to person basis. There are 18 year olds far more capable of dealing with what comes with sex than some 25 year olds. Also there are older men who see dating a much younger woman as cool, whereas others see it as just a number because regardless of age they get along with the woman. Don't forget Charlie Chaplin's last wife was 18 when they married and he was 36 years old than she was and that seemed to work out.

 

[Slyfox696]

The arbitrary age basis we have in the United States is absurd. It's already been touched on a few times in this thread, but there's absolutely no logic behind our age limits. Kids can be sent off to fight and die in a war when they are 18, but can't legally purchase alcohol. For the purposes of buying a car to be able to go to work, a 16 year old cannot enter into a legal contract themselves, but if that same 16 year old gets in a car accident and kills someone, they can be tried as an adult in a court of law.

And the worst is the statutory age limit for sexual relations. If someone is 17 years and 364 days, then they are simply too young to be able to decide for themselves if they want to have sex with that 35 year old actor. But hey, that's okay...just give it 12 hours, 12 magical hours when suddenly their physical, mental and emotional capabilities get an attribute boost akin to a video game which now allows them to smoke, watch porn and have sex with anyone they want (as long as it's not for money, because God forbid we legalize cutting out the traditional methods of getting a young woman in bed, which is buying her copious amounts of expensive alcohol...PAYING for alcohol).

But the worst part about sex age limits is how we criticize those who attempt to have sex with younger girls, while conveniently ignoring the way media has sexualized them for decades. Society wants them in skimpy bikinis, in suggestive poses, and selling items in a way which suggest sex. Our movies/shows require under 30 actresses, most models are 25 and under, and there's an entire genre of pornography dedicated to "barely legal" teens. But once one dares to cross the boundary of actually engaging in physical relations..."OH MY GOD, WHAT A CREEP! It's so disgusting how Hugh Hefner has sex with three girlfriends who are 21 years old...oh! Look at that hottie on the cover of Playboy!". It's asinine.

I personally don't understand the attraction guys have to girls who are college age, must less under that age. I find most of those girls to be incredibly annoying and incapable of handling a mature conversation. That's a big turn off for me. But I tend to not judge those who find younger girls attractive because at the end of the day, everyone has their own things which they find attractive. And, ignoring the complicated moral issue I've already discussed for a moment, as long as what people are doing is legal, then I don't have a problem with it.

 

[Danger Burger]

What do you make of someone hitting on someone who's legal, but clearly too young?

Should we consider moving the age of legality to a national consensus, rather than be state by state? And is there an age that feels appropriate?

I think my thoughs on this fall in line with Falkon's, mostly. The hopes of the 'age of consent' should be at the high end, by which most should be ready to make these decisions at the age, or even before it. 18 makes a lot more sense to me (I don't even know what the deal is in my own country now that I think on it), here at 18 you've just finished secondary (high?) school and are taking off for college... Though half the people are completely unprepared and major in alcoholism, I figure if you're leaving your parents home, they can't really be responsible for your decisions at that point. I won't get into my views on how the Americans do it else my ignorance will show.

As for an older guy courting a younger girl... Don't care, don't find it too creepy in and of itself, context does vary however. Though if one or the other has to keep it a secret... well that's telling enough. The whole waiting till they turn legal thing is a little creepier, only on the obsessive side though... No other girls out there that like you, mister James Franco? Its certainly a lot smarter than breaking the law either way.

The arbitrary age basis we have in the United States is absurd. It's already been touched on a few times in this thread, but there's absolutely no logic behind our age limits. Kids can be sent off to fight and die in a war when they are 18, but can't legally purchase alcohol. For the purposes of buying a car to be able to go to work, a 16 year old cannot enter into a legal contract themselves, but if that same 16 year old gets in a car accident and kills someone, they can be tried as an adult in a court of law.

Came across this image recently which kind of sums up the issue on the other side of the pond here:

 

[Con T.]

And the worst is the statutory age limit for sexual relations. If someone is 17 years and 364 days, then they are simply too young to be able to decide for themselves if they want to have sex with that 35 year old actor. But hey, that's okay...just give it 12 hours, 12 magical hours when suddenly their physical, mental and emotional capabilities get an attribute boost akin to a video game which now allows them to smoke, watch porn and have sex with anyone they want (as long as it's not for money, because God forbid we legalize cutting out the traditional methods of getting a young woman in bed, which is buying her copious amounts of expensive alcohol...PAYING for alcohol).

Understood, but as I stated earlier, how much of a mess would it be to do things on a case by case basis? The justice system is clearly fucked (I don't think I'm exactly breaking news by saying that), but you have to have something put in place to protect those that just aren't ready. I'd imagine the law is more there for the thirteen/fourteen year old, rather than the 17.99 year old girl.

But the worst part about sex age limits is how we criticize those who attempt to have sex with younger girls, while conveniently ignoring the way media has sexualized them for decades. Society wants them in skimpy bikinis, in suggestive poses, and selling items in a way which suggest sex. Our movies/shows require under 30 actresses, most models are 25 and under, and there's an entire genre of pornography dedicated to "barely legal" teens. But once one dares to cross the boundary of actually engaging in physical relations..."OH MY GOD, WHAT A CREEP! It's so disgusting how Hugh Hefner has sex with three girlfriends who are 21 years old...oh! Look at that hottie on the cover of Playboy!". It's asinine.

That's an entirely separate issue for women, completely.

Much like society can't take fat people (especially fat women), society can't take "old" people. Being an older woman is this taboo thing, to the point where we push the opposite way in the extremes. You can't tell me the media shoved Britney Spears down our gullet at seventeen (which, again, kind of creepy) because of her singing. And she isn't the only one... Look at Miley, Lindsay Lohan, and the like.

Or, (and this may be a topic for another day), what they've become as a result of said gullet shoving.

 

[Slyfox696]

Understood, but as I stated earlier, how much of a mess would it be to do things on a case by case basis?

I'm not necessarily saying there's a better way, just that the way we do it is asinine. I know one way I would try to change it, but who knows if it would work better.

The justice system is clearly fucked (I don't think I'm exactly breaking news by saying that), but you have to have something put in place to protect those that just aren't ready.

We have that, they are called parents.

I'd imagine the law is more there for the thirteen/fourteen year old, rather than the 17.99 year old girl.

But they are enforced exactly the same. And there are never any legal complication for the 13 or 17.99 year old child either.

That's an entirely separate issue for women, completely.

Much like society can't take fat people (especially fat women), society can't take "old" people. Being an older woman is this taboo thing, to the point where we push the opposite way in the extremes. You can't tell me the media shoved Britney Spears down our gullet at seventeen (which, again, kind of creepy) because of her singing. And she isn't the only one... Look at Miley, Lindsay Lohan, and the like.

Or, (and this may be a topic for another day), what they've become as a result of said gullet shoving.

My point, however, is we sexualize young girls and then act horrified and in a judgmental manner anytime someone finds them attractive. It's beyond absurd.

Speaking of James Franco, he was on the Kelly & Michael show today and address the news which came out. Basically he kept saying over and over how embarrassed he was that it happened and doubly embarrassed that it came out.

 

[Con T.]

We have that, they are called parents.

Excuse me for being a little jaded here... I work with children with severe disabilities and disorders. In theory, you're absolutely correct... In actuality, I've seen too many awful parents, to have faith in parents. If I'm being honest, your chances in finding parenting seem about as equal as a flip of the coin.

But they are enforced exactly the same. And there are never any legal complication for the 13 or 17.99 year old child either.

And there does need to be nuance, that much I'm sure. That's where I'd imagine a judge would step in, and offer an appropriate sense.

In fact, I'm not sure why that does not happen. I mean, I'm sure I know why, if I really want to seem jaded.

My point, however, is we sexualize young girls and then act horrified and in a judgmental manner anytime someone finds them attractive. It's beyond absurd.

Well, the way we objectify women in nature is abusrd. I mean, let's put all our cards on the table; women get a shit draw of the hand here. Again, not exactly breaking news on this one. But that said, there is something to this.

I should also point out, I found the whole Miley/Britney/whatever girl we have a fixation to be just as creepy as well. So there is that.

 

[Thriller Ant]

We have that, they are called parents.

See, even this can cause issues. There was the story a few months back where, forgive me if I don't quite remember the details, two girls were dating. The older girl's parents approved and the younger's did not. Pretty much as soon as the older girl turned 18 (I think the younger girl was 16?), the younger girls parents went to the police. It wasn't really that they thought she wasn't ready for the relationship, instead, they blamed the other girl for "turning" their daughter gay. I agree that the parents can and probably should be the judge for this kind of stuff most of the time, but even that isn't foolproof.


I found the thread on that story! http://forums.wrestlezone.com/showthread.php?t=255685

 

[Slyfox696]

Excuse me for being a little jaded here... I work with children with severe disabilities and disorders. In theory, you're absolutely correct... In actuality, I've seen too many awful parents, to have faith in parents. If I'm being honest, your chances in finding parenting seem about as equal as a flip of the coin.

Oh, I'm not saying parents do their job, I'm saying parents SHOULD do their job.

And there does need to be nuance, that much I'm sure. That's where I'd imagine a judge would step in, and offer an appropriate sense.

In fact, I'm not sure why that does not happen. I mean, I'm sure I know why, if I really want to seem jaded.

It doesn't happen because a case by case basis would make things potentially unfair.

Well, the way we objectify women in nature is abusrd. I mean, let's put all our cards on the table; women get a shit draw of the hand here. Again, not exactly breaking news on this one. But that said, there is something to this.

I should also point out, I found the whole Miley/Britney/whatever girl we have a fixation to be just as creepy as well. So there is that.

But society does not. Society wants young girls sexually tempting us in revealing clothing (or none at all). Just don't ever think about ever actually engaging in relations with one.

See, even this can cause issues. There was the story a few months back where, forgive me if I don't quite remember the details, two girls were dating. The older girl's parents approved and the younger's did not. Pretty much as soon as the older girl turned 18 (I think the younger girl was 16?), the younger girls parents went to the police.

It wasn't really that they thought she wasn't ready for the relationship, instead, they blamed the other girl for "turning" their daughter gay. I agree that the parents can and probably should be the judge for this kind of stuff most of the time, but even that isn't foolproof.


I found the thread on that story! http://forums.wrestlezone.com/showthread.php?t=255685

I remember that story from the time and knew exactly which one you were talking about. But I'm talking more about parents teaching their children about having the power over their own bodies, to be fully informed of what it means to say yes and empowering them to say no if they want.

 

[Dave]

I think we are all forgetting that this girl is Scottish. In Scotland, at 17, you are probably already a mother of 3.

Being completely serious though, the legal age for sex in the UK is 16, I am more than positive, as a good looking girl, that she is absolutely no stranger to the advance of men and probably older men. But that's not really the issue here.

To be honest, I don't see any sort of problem with this. She is of legal age and James Franco is known for being a bit of weird personality. If she was 15 or even 16 I might find the idea of this really suspicious but when I read it, I don't even feel any sympathy for the girl. I am positive that this happens on a daily basis in Hollywood. James Franco is just a cog in a broken and, sort of, nefarious machine. I'm not saying that I excuse him of this rather strange action but I am not condemning him either.

And in all honesty, I thought that the legal age for sex in America was standardized, that's news to me. I guess that's where the line becomes a little blurry, doesn't it? I naturally assume that America is a country which have standardized that long ago. Or at the very least should be endeavoring to do that now.