Don't fall for absurd sex panics

 I saw this unfold on Twitter, with a poll asking questions such as, "Is it OK for a 24 year old to date a 22 year old?  Is it OK for a 30 year old to date a 22 year old?"  My vote for "It's none of my damned business" got a solid 35%, but more votes went for cutting off that 30 year old.

In my opinion, passing the age of consent means just that.  It's like getting your drivers license.  You have no legal or moral restrictions that don't apply to everyone else past the age of consent.  Period.  And ageism is particularly disgusting IMO.  (Possibly some limitations if minors can be past the age of consent.  Minors may need permission of parent or guardian to date someone significantly older, or alternatively emancipation from dastardly parents they need to get away from.  But it's fairly common for 18 to be both the age of consent and full adulthood except for being served alcohol or being eligible to run for certain political offices.)

Of course this doesn't pardon any kind of harassment, sexual or physical abuse, threats, blackmail, etc.  Those apply regardless of age to all people.

Power differences???  Don't get me started, or make me laugh.  It might be the younger female student who has all the power.

Liza Featherstone tells the story behind the recent sex panic regarding a very progressive candidate being smeared, falsely as it turned out, for dating younger women.