The legal age to have consent sex in India is 18 years. Now the Supreme Court is going to hear the possibility of reducing this age to 16 years. One side believes that by reducing it, many teenagers will not have to face unnecessary rigorous laws, while the central government says that the current age limit is absolutely correct and any tampering in it can increase the exploitation of children. This is the reason that this issue has become a matter of serious debate on society, law and psychology – three levels.
Lesson from international experience
The example of countries like Philippines and Japan is being set in the midst of this debate arising in India regarding the Edge of Consent. The long -term sexual consent in the Philippines was just 12 years. This law, which has been going on since 1930, became a major cause of age of consultant. The situation was that by 2020, about 500 minor girls were getting pregnant every day and the country had become the center of Teen-Edge Pregnancy. The age of consent was finally reduced to 16 years in 2022 following international pressure and opposition from women’s organizations.
The same situation was seen in Japan. There was a 13 -year age of consent. Online exploitation of young children and sexual offenses increased rapidly. In 2020, massive protests took place and the United Nations also intervened. As a result, Japan changed the law to 16 years of agreed, changing the law and included the relationship formed in the state of pressure or intoxication.
Why this debate has arisen in India
The age behind the age of 18 years (age of consent) in India is believed that when the child reaches this age, the child becomes physically and mentally mature. But in recent years there have been many cases where Teenagers were in a relationship by mutual consent, but legally it was put in the category of rape and the boys had to face harsh punishment. On this basis, some people believe that innocent youth will get relief by reducing age to 16 years.
Experts’ opinion and center concern
However, psychology experts and the Central Government believe that the age of 16 is still risky. At this age the brain of children does not develop perfectly, especially prefrontal cortex, which works to take decisions and control emotions. This means that the teenagers are not able to agree to sexual intercourse with full understanding. The result may be that they fall prey to gilt, depression or unhealthy relationships. In addition, younger partners may also be under pressure on young children, which has a serious impact on their studies and future.
Ahead
The hearing in Age of Consent can give a new direction to this case. While sympathy is being expressed on teenagers, the aspect of preventing children’s safety and exploitation is even more important. Experiences from countries such as the Philippines and Japan suggest that decreasing the age of consent can increase the risk of crime and exploitation in society manifold. In such a situation, reducing or maintaining the Edge of Consent in India – it will not only be legal but also social and moral decisions.
