Posted by Mike on June 18, 2002 at 23:04:03:
In Reply to: Re: Freedom? posted by Dolores on June 18, 2002 at 14:18:34:
It's not deciding what's "free" and "not free". Your talking about age restrictions. Freedoms are not denied, but delayed.
Australia (where I live) has pretty much the same age restrictions as the US when it comes to minors getting access to tobacco, alcohol, porn and the right to vote.
With freedom comes responsibility. Your argument implies that a 6 year should have the freedom to buy cigarettes, download porn or drive a car. Is that child "less free" than an adult over the age of 18 or 21 who has the right to purchase these consumer goods?
Maybe it's because a child of that age hasn't the necessary maturity or level of development to fully understand the consequences that are a by-prduct of that particular freedom. A 6 year is less likely to way up the consequences of smoking than say a 18 year old.
Should that same 6 year old have unlimited access to net porn? Or be allowed to drive a car in peak hour traffic? How about access to semi-automatic weapons?
I think a drunk 6 year behind the wheel of a SUV armed with a AK-47 would be dangerous to both themself and others. Same if the child was 12 or 16.
These restrictions exist not to restrict freedom, but protect minors. I agree their not perfect, but they serve a purpose.