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We have just watched, on the news, the spectacle of a teacher,aged 30 odd, being extradited from France to face charges in the UK over child abduction of a schoolgirl of 15.
Your view of whether the actions of this couple were right or wrong will inform your opinions on the topic of underage sex.
It would appear, from various articles, that John Peel, in common with many of his compatriots working in the entertainment industry, took advantage of the fact that they had become an object of desire, obsession even, of fans. Now, there probably is no stopping that, nor is it an area for legislation, except to protect teenagers and children from being taken advantage of.
Technically, those under 16 are minors, and should be protected from the advances of predatory adults. It appears that Jimmy Savile, was predatory, and used his position for his own sexual gratification.
I do not think people like John Peel falls into that category. Nonetheless, he seemed quite happy to marry a 15 year old girl, and by his own account have sex with a 13 year old.This, in my view, is simply wrong - an abuse of position, and child abuse - not something to be condoned.
We all know that sexuality is plastic, and that humans do not come equipped with an on-off switch that can be used at the age of 16 - but those mature adults who have sexual relations with under-age fans are betraying those fans and betraying their own humanity, and depriving those children of their childhood.
It is simply selfish self-gratification that drives these mature adults to do what they do - after all, unqualified adoration is difficult to reject - but that is what should be expected of them.
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