I believe I would have to disagree as a matter of personal standpoint. I believe most teens today know what sex is, know how it's done, know what it looks like and are capable of handling seeing images of it.

I may not agree that some teens are mature or responsible enough to be having sex, but for governments to arbitrarily set an age that they believe everyone become mature is a bit archaic and outdated.

Let's see... As a matter of record, it is legal, with parental consent to marry at the age of 14 in Louisiana, Utah and Nevada. It is legal to marry at age 16, with parental consent, in Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Alaska and sevral other states. Every other state posts a consentual age of marriage of 17. However, it is illegal for you to have sex with your wife in any state if you are more than three years older than she is. It falls under statutory rape laws.

The age of consent across Canada, up until a few years ago, was 14. Recently, it was raised to 16. I don't think this shows forward thinking so much, but I do think it at least shows some realization that teenagers are capable of making their own decisions.