‘If two 16-yr-olds want to have sex, they will ’

NEW DELHI: It is ostensibly for their own good, but teenagers between 16 and 18, don’t quite agree. They feel that the raising of the age of consent from 16 to 18 just goes to show how unaware, or worse, in denial policy-makers are of current situations.A large part of the debate hinges on the question of maturity , whether a 16-year-old is capable of taking informed decisions. Youngsters in the 16-18 age bracket believe they are not only mature but also adequately circumspect about such decisions.“Most young people are mature these days,” says Saurav, a XII-grader from Delhi. He should know. At 17, he has numerous friends who are sexually active and careful about it. “With the internet, everybody has access to information . They know all about sex and the possible consequences ,” he says adding that a girl “would think a hundred times before giving consent.”“I know these people,” he continues, “they know what they are doing but despite all that they’ll now be vulnerable to harassment.”The dropping of the “age of consent” from the bill criminalizes intercourse with and between youngsters. But members of the group concerned feel what they really need is information, not another legal sanction. Appropriate education, they feel, will allow them to exercise their choices responsibly.“We should have correct education about sexuality instead of the increase in the age of consent,” says a class XI student from Ahmedabad. “Because of easy access to pornography , youngsters are curious,” he says, “My friends and I have explored physical relationships .” Psychiatrists counselling teens agree.Delhi psychiatrist, Avdesh Sharma, says the way to protect children is not by imposing a law but by “giving them information and creating channels of communication.”“Backward and conservative .” That’s what 16-year-old Rahul says about dropping the age of consent clause. “Criminalizing something natural is not fair. It won’t really help. If two 16-year-olds want to have sex, they will. My friends abroad are free to do it,” he says. Laws should be in step with social changes . “The age of consent must be decided upon keeping in mind the prevalent culture. Laws need to be relevant and acceptable,” says Chandni, a student at DAV College, Chandigarh , “the parents can’t stop kids, the government won’t be able to either. They’ll find other ways.”