I’d say the real division concerns what moral standards (and whose) should be enforced by law, and which should be left to the freely made decisions of the individuals involved.
Good observation. One complication is that our lives have become increasingly interdependent. Too often others have to endure the consequences of our "freely made decisions." I would note that the decisions of each of the parties in the article (father, daughter, and boyfriend) impacted the lives of each other.
Some would be tempted to say, "it was just sex." Others would say that the difference between 15 and 17 is sufficient that the daughter could not have given informed consent. This is why statutory rape laws exist. The legislatures that enact these laws need to balance the rights of all involved, and the judiciary provides one check to see that they do.
Yes, I very definitely support statutory rape laws where it involves adults and children. The questions start when the differences in age and maturity levels aren’t that great. When it involves teens, three years seem about right, though there could be many opinions.
“Good observation. One complication is that our lives have become increasingly interdependent. Too often others have to endure the consequences of our “freely made decisions.” I would note that the decisions of each of the parties in the article (father, daughter, and boyfriend) impacted the lives of each other.”
IMO, the parents should have decided that their kids “freely made decisions” should not be a matter of law enforcement, and certainly not vigilante action, but a parental disciplinary and moral question for each set of parents to take up with their kids, and maybe together.