05-13-2003, 07:10 PM
What you are getting actually demostrates my position on this issue(I hadnt mentioned it till now.)
Societies pick an arbitrary age and and pronounce idividuals "adult" at that point. This is the point we say - society now considers their opinions/choices valid.
No its not actually fair in any particular siuation, but it is fair in that it gives all individuals a an equal oppertunity.
It also helps to prevent the exploitation of some young people who think they are capabale of making some desisions - but are not.
There is no reason that if a child is bad at making serious choices tp suspect they are any better at making inane choices.(note I never said all children are bad at making choices.)
So I am asking is it fair to do the same on an idividual basis - I say yes. I frequently use age as substitute for an interview when estimating a young person. I dont always do this, but when its handy for me, I do.
Also I think you "assumption on behavioral maturity" is the same as my "value an individuals opinions and choices".
Societies pick an arbitrary age and and pronounce idividuals "adult" at that point. This is the point we say - society now considers their opinions/choices valid.
No its not actually fair in any particular siuation, but it is fair in that it gives all individuals a an equal oppertunity.
It also helps to prevent the exploitation of some young people who think they are capabale of making some desisions - but are not.
There is no reason that if a child is bad at making serious choices tp suspect they are any better at making inane choices.(note I never said all children are bad at making choices.)
So I am asking is it fair to do the same on an idividual basis - I say yes. I frequently use age as substitute for an interview when estimating a young person. I dont always do this, but when its handy for me, I do.
Also I think you "assumption on behavioral maturity" is the same as my "value an individuals opinions and choices".