[RobbyS]

A hundred years ago, 14 was the legal age for marriage. Plus most kids were out of school and working by that age. And course, we have the example of Romeo and Juliet.

[H. Paul Pressler IV]

It William Shakespear's Fault. You may want to forward that theory to the killers' lawyers.

[ftriggerf]

Romeo and Juliet is not a 'romantic' story. I am female and even when it was required reading in my early teens, it was 'stupid'. Sorry if it makes me unrefined to say so. When I first heard this news, I was inclined that she left without coersion, BUT partly wonder(ed) if it is along the lines of Stockholm syndrome (or as someone else mentioned, she is pregnant).

[ftriggerf]

The poet Dante agrees with you. He placed the historical counterparts of Romeo and Juliet in Hell.

What work is that? I think I remember liking Dante...but not sure. I would really like to read his work, but too much showed in the google search for romeo juliet dante...Thank you! Have a great Thanksgiving!!

[cherry]

14 years old was almost a third of your life back before the turn of the century, when the average age of death was 45......

not only were those kids back then much more mature and responsible,they probably also knew how to farm, how to sew and cook, how to take care of children, how to build a house and hunt and fish and cut wood for the fire among other things.....

now kids today may LOOK older.....they may start growing boobs early etc.....and certainly sex is everywhere and not only that, ENCOURAGED everywhere, from schools to music to books to movies....

but kids are NOT mature.....they have not learned self control,responsibility, or how to postpone gratification......

I fear for this country....