The current minimum age of consent for sexual activity in the European Union varies from country to country, with some setting it as low as 14 years old. However, there is a growing movement to increase the minimum age of consent to 16 years old, in line with the recommendations of organizations such as the World Health Organization and the Council of Europe.
There are several benefits to increasing the minimum age of consent to 16 years old. One benefit is that it helps to protect young people from exploitation and abuse. At the age of 14, many young people are not fully mature or able to fully understand the consequences of their actions, and they may be vulnerable to coercion or manipulation by older individuals. By setting the minimum age of consent at 16, we can help to ensure that young people are not taken advantage of or put in harm's way.
Another benefit of increasing the minimum age of consent is that it can help to promote healthy and respectful relationships. At the age of 16, young people are more likely to have the emotional maturity and understanding necessary to enter into consensual relationships with others. This can help to create a culture of respect and understanding, rather than one that encourages exploitation and disrespect.
Finally, increasing the minimum age of consent can also have public health benefits. Research has shown that young people who have sex at an early age are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, which can lead to unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. By setting the minimum age of consent at 16, we can help to encourage young people to wait until they are more mature and better able to make informed decisions about their sexual health.
In summary, there are many compelling reasons to support the increase of the minimum age of consent in the European Union from 14 to 16 years old. By doing so, we can help to protect young people, promote healthy and respectful relationships, and improve public health outcomes.
https://www.change.org/Increasetheminimumageofconsent This is the link of the official petition. Please sign!
