Radical thoughts on consent

Radical thoughts on consent

The Betrayal of Youth. Ed by Warren Middleton (C L Publications, £ 7.99)

The puritanism of the New Right has become so infectious that it is now virtually impossible to have a rational and objective discussion about the age of sexual consent and sexual relationships between adults and younger people.

Intimidated by increasing demands for the 'moral protection' of youth, even the leadership of the Labour Party has been reluctant to support a reduction in the age of consent for male homosexuals from 21 to 16.

When Warren Middleton recently compiled his book on children's sexual rights, to which I made a brief contribution, he found it impossible to get a publisher. They were all too nervous. So he had to publish it himself. Even now, only a few bookshops - notably Gay's The Word in London - have had the courage to stock it. Indeed, I am only writing this review because it seems that no one else is willing to risk association with this taboo subject.

Under Middleton's editorship, The Batrayal of Youth presents a diverse collection of essays by 16 different authors who offer a 'radical perspective' on the history, sociology, politics and ethics of 'childhood sexuality, intergenerational sex, and the social oppression of children and young people'.

All the authors oppose coercive and exploitative sexual abuse, and want both children, and adults, to be protected from forced, involuntary sexual acts by the laws, covering rape and sexual assault. However, they also argue that consenting, victimless sexual relationships between younger and older people should not be penalised by the law. especially where the relationship is of a tender and caring nature.

Society would remove a lot of sexual fear, anxiety and guilt if, instead of repressing children's sexuality, it acknowledged the fact that many children have sexual desires at an early age and accordingly educated children so are able to make free, informed and responsible decisions about when and with whom they have sex.

Paradoxically, by keeping young people in a state of sexual ignorance and unpreparedness, our society makes them more, no less, vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation.

Surely, since socialism is supposed to be about freedom and equality for all, we ought to support greater rights for children and start treating them as young adults, and young citizens, who should be encouraged and trained to take on increased responsibilities and given opportunities to exercise power and choice in every facet of their lives, including their sexual and emotional feelings.

In presenting these arguments, The Betrayal of Youth speaks coolly, clearly and radically about this subject which has far too long been shrouded in emotional hysteria and adult chauvinism.

source: Book review 'Radical thoughts on consent' by Peter Tatchell; 7Days; 13 June 1987