Madam, - It has been said that "at 16 alone does one know everything".
I remember, about five years ago, when working in a sex-education class with a group of 12-year-old boys, I was asked: "When can a fella and a girl do it?" Much cheering and laughter followed. But there was ill-concealed horror on the faces of some. The boy continued: "If the girl likes it too, and you use a condom, why not?"
This year 16, maybe nearly 16; next year 15. Youngsters under peer pressure to "do it" - horrified, unready, but afraid to be taunted and left out. Condoms that don't work, diseases that spread; children, emotionally unready, factually unprepared, having children.
Where are all the adults gone? Is the pathetic sight of children's anarchy to be tolerated? Is there no moral compass?
Let adults stop dithering about the age of consent and start educating themselves and exerting their authority. - Yours, etc,
ANGELA MACNAMARA,
Kilmacud Road,
Dublin 14.