Ameesha TripathiEditor In-Chief, Rightantra Love is in the air! With Valentine’s Day gaining more acceptance in the Indian society, it is necessary to address the impact the occasion has on teenagers. The concept of roses, teddy bears, and chocolates is innocently cute, but the day also presents a great opportunity for us to address some key aspects to the celebration of Valentine’s by teenagers. Dating as teenagers in India is being normalised in the media, and it is heart-warming to see the next generation experiencing relationships with more societal (and parental) acceptance. But as with all that’s new and shiny, there are certain dangers which make teens easy prey. As worried parents and well-wishers of children, it is sometimes difficult to have these conversations with the kids⸺where do you draw the line between overstepping and respecting their privacy? Moreover, these chats are often easy to misconstrue, and as a parent, you may come across as overbearing or disallowing them to engage in relationships altogether. Well, while we may not be able to offer any advice on parenting (on account of the author still considering herself a child, despite her age)⸺here are some basic dos and don'ts for all teens out there dealing with a budding romance. Dos
Don’ts
Legal Perspective Legally speaking, a relationship between minors is not considered to be valid in terms of any sexual activity that may take place (even when free consent has been given), since minors cannot give sexual consent. While the author concedes to the necessity of this legislation, even the courts have considered that minors may have sexual relations with each other and the same wouldn’t necessarily always be punishable. However, here are some things you must keep in mind. Firstly, the concept of consent is crucial to any relationship. However, as stated before, in legal terms, minors do not have the capacity to give consent. To give consent does not simply mean to say “yes”. This permission needs to be given without any force, manipulation, undue influence, influence of substances such as alcohol, and lies and misrepresentation. Secondly, storing and spreading any intimate pictures of a minor amounts to child pornography and is a criminal offence. Additionally, asking a minor for such pictures also amounts to sexual harassment and is also a criminal offence. Whether you’re an adult or a minor, you must take extreme caution about the kind of images you share, especially if these are intimate pictures, with clear identity markers. It is imperative to keep in mind that the mere possession of such images in case of a minor is a crime- and could mean a lot of trouble for you, as well as your partner. Valentine's Day is an adorable concept and can mean a day of gifts, cute pictures and romantic gestures for some. However, if this is not what your Valentines looks like, fret not. Scientific research has shown that while dating during teenage years helps build interpersonal and social skills, teenagers who did not date also showed similar healthy developmental trajectory. As an added advantage, asking your parent to be your valentine instead is bound to make their day! (contact the author for more tips on how to butter your parents to build your good-child-credit 🤣) *In case of any problems that may arise, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected], or our Instagram handle (@rightantra). Please note that this is NOT legal or professional advice but the legal and professional opinion of the author and is for informational purposes only. Neither the author nor Rightantra shall bear any responsibility for the accuracy, content, or consequences. The reader must perform their independent due diligence.
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