In general I think the reform is unnecessary because I don’t see a huge problem with the status quo. I mean, sexual abuse is a big deal, but the main danger is from people known to the child, rather than strangers. The fear of child abuse has had some really counterproductive results – vigilantism, false accusations, the shortage of male teachers, witchhunts and so on. This is just another example.

As for the drinking age: it should be lowered, if anything. While arbitrary minimum ages are necessary for some things, I also think that children should be able to prove maturity in court and get an exemption from minimum ages if necessary. I mean particularly for teenagers who go to university early, get a job and leave home early, and so on – they are living as an adult, so should be treated like one.

It’s all very well to criticise the law, and I agree that it has unintentioned and ridiculous consequences in this instance – but proposing reform is a far more difficult and challenging task. So what would you propose? (I’m interested in the drinking issue as well as the university entrance issue!)