Just that before we go around denouncing other societies we might want to have some historical perspective on our own.
Were our ancestors of the 18th and 19th century all perverts and pedophiles?
I also think it is ludicrous to classify a 17 year old as a child in this context.
I am fine with the law and the charges, but we should recognize that the age is a legalism and doesn’t reflect any greater harm likely to the “victim” than if she were six months older.
Though you’d think the morons charged would know that and find someone a tad older to get perverted with.
can we kick a 17 year old out of the house since they are so mature?
if they are old enough for sex they are old enough to get their own place and raise their own family
“Were our ancestors of the 18th and 19th century all perverts and pedophiles?”
Well since you mentioned historical perspective, it would be worthwhile to point out that western societies HISTORICALLY frowned upon marriage to teenagers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hajnal_line
In the areas of Europe that fostered modern civilization, the average age of marriage for women was 23, and the average age of marriage was 26 for men. Likewise, relations outside of marriage were strongly discouraged. This phenomenon has been called the ‘Western European marriage pattern’, and it’s a hallmark of advanced civilization.
Moral behavior tends to support and further human advancement, if you have trouble identifying with the former it would be advisable to at least aim for the latter. Adults engaging in sexual relationship with high-schoolers is both obviously morally repugnant and functionally disadvantageous.