it doesn't matter what some random guy on a gaming forum thinks, the great legal minds of our nation have determined it does play a role in responsibility for self-action and that because of the underdevelopment a child cannot be held to the same standard as an adult, just as we lower the burden of responsibility and restrict sentencing on the insane and retarded
[quote name='gareman']That is an interesting point--doesn't it follow from everyone arguing against us that all the kids that witness this over 2months should be tried as adults as well? I mean if someone was raping their daughter repeatedly in front of the mom for two months and she didn't stop it or notify authorities would as an ADULT she be tried for nearly the same crimes?[/QUOTE]
i honestly don't believe any of these children realized the severity of the act, i'd bet even the victim does not yet comprehend the offense, perhaps he does, and if not he surely will one day, but i fully do not believe a kid can understand rape.. it's very complex.. even with adults -- i bet i'd be hard pressed to find an adult who could tell me why sexual assault is a greater offense than assault.. much less a child.. i'd be surprised if 1/1000 14 year olds could tell you "sexual assault is more offensive because. . ."
but yeah, it really doens't even matter if they understand rape, because the point is children have a lesser burden of responsibility and it's lunacy to cherry-pick exceptions for certain acts and excuse others, 14 year olds are either fully responsible for everything or not
[quote name='gareman']That is an interesting point--doesn't it follow from everyone arguing against us that all the kids that witness this over 2months should be tried as adults as well? I mean if someone was raping their daughter repeatedly in front of the mom for two months and she didn't stop it or notify authorities would as an ADULT she be tried for nearly the same crimes?[/QUOTE]
i honestly don't believe any of these children realized the severity of the act, i'd bet even the victim does not yet comprehend the offense, perhaps he does, and if not he surely will one day, but i fully do not believe a kid can understand rape.. it's very complex.. even with adults -- i bet i'd be hard pressed to find an adult who could tell me why sexual assault is a greater offense than assault.. much less a child.. i'd be surprised if 1/1000 14 year olds could tell you "sexual assault is more offensive because. . ."
but yeah, it really doens't even matter if they understand rape, because the point is children have a lesser burden of responsibility and it's lunacy to cherry-pick exceptions for certain acts and excuse others, 14 year olds are either fully responsible for everything or not