Theoretical Lens

As four educated young women, we feel it is appropriate to approach the topic of consensual sex using theories that view all humans as sexual beings and emphasize empowerment and freedom of sexual expression, as well as deconstruct discriminatory aspects of policies and systems that maintain unfair power imbalances of the status quo over marginalized groups in society. Thus, we will be examining issues of consensual sex and relevant policies through empowerment approaches including a feminist approach to issues of consensual sex in general, and anti-oppression lens when looking at how these polices impact specific marginalized groups in society.

Empowerment theories focus on the idea that society is made up of "stratified groups" who possess relatively unequal levels of power and control over resources. Empowerment is a process whereby “individuals and groups gain power, access to resources, and control over their own lives.” These theories also contend that "empowerment requires linking a sense of self-efficacy with critical consciousness and effective action". Critical consciousness, or consciousness raising, is “the process of increasing awareness of how political structures affect individual and group experience and contribute to personal or group powerlessness.”

A central tenet of feminist theory is that it is "necessary to critique one’s social context and deconstruct its discriminatory aspects". Feminist theory stresses the importance of identifying marginalizing "attitudes, expectations, language, behaviours, and social arrangements" that have contributed to the oppression of certain groups of people. Unity and diversity within community life is embraced, and the existence of multiple experienced realities is recognized, not simply the reality of those in power. Feminist thought observes that “the macro-social structures of economy, polity, and ideology interact with the intimate, private micro-processes of human reproduction, domesticity, sexuality, and subjectivity to sustain a multi-faceted system of domination.”Abolishing patriarchy and encouraging sexual freedom are primary goals of feminist thought, which requires women to establish a consciousness based on strength and self-worth.

Anti-oppression theory offers another very useful lens through which to examine and critique the impact of age of consent issues and policies, particularly for marginalized groups. Anti-oppression theory asserts that we are born with many aspects that make up who we are as people, and that these factors, which are mostly beyond our control, determine how we are viewed in society and how we view others. Essentially, we are socialized to judge people based on ideas about what we have learned to be “right”. Anti-oppression theory breaks these factors down into six main oppressive forces in society: racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, agism, and class oppression. Actions and beliefs of dominant and powerful members of society are challenged through the empowerment of oppressed individuals and groups. Anti-oppression theory contends that equality is brought about through the eradication of these six "societally-imposed barriers".

Feminist and anti-oppression theories share the major theme of empowerment, along with related processes of the recognition of multiple experienced realities, strength building, critical consciousness raising, acquired control over one’s life, and the breakdown of discriminatory social systems. Using these major themes and processes in the examination of issues of consensual sex greatly aids in illuminating discriminatory aspects of age of consent policies as it pertains to marginalized groups in society. Through these lenses we believe it is both desirable and possible to create inclusive social policies that allow freedom and provide protection that extends to all members of society.

- L.T.