Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 27, 1993 TAG: 9306280250
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Yes, the government should stay out of our bedrooms. But having sex with someone other than his wife is not Gallimore's crime. His real crime is taking emotional and spiritual advantage of a 16-year-old girl.
It is true that Shakespeare's Juliet was about 14 years old. In some cultures, it would be normal for young girls to marry much older men. Some 16-year-old girls may be mature enough to make such decisions.
But, in our society, we have decided that 16-year-olds are still children. Sabrina Simpkins, Gallimore's lover, is not old enough to vote. She does not have the right to control her political life. She does not have the financial resources or power to rent a car at Hertz or Avis, or to apply for a credit card. She is not allowed to consume alcohol because the state believes she is not mature enough to make choices about drinking.
In most states, if an 18-year-old boy were to have sex with Simpkins, he would be accused of statutory rape. I could not believe that all Virginia could do was accuse Gallimore of "seduction and indecent liberties." I further cannot believe that Gallimore seems to be getting away with whatever you want to call it.
I do not know if Simpkins is particularly empowered or particularly smart. I do know that, as a society, we expect children to still be growing and maturing. We take care of them and watch out for them.
Sabrina Simpkins' family has allowed a politically and financially powerless child to enter into a relationship with someone who has a lot more power and a lot more tricks up his sleeve. As a child, Simpkins may not fully understand the implications of this relationship. She may not feel she has the power to leave it. Or, as a disenfranchised member of adult society, she may believe that she can borrow some of his power.
Yes, this is America, and we have religious freedom. But we also have a set of values, norms and power structures that shape us as people, and shape our laws. We have values about exactly how many rights and responsibilities a person under 18 has.
I feel that it is my responsibility to tell Elwood Gallimore to test his preaching and polygamy out on someone who has the personal and political power to make a real choice. I hope that Simpkins' family or someone in our court system will rethink their responsibility to this precious child of God.
KIMBERLY ISAKSSON-KAYLOR\ SALEM
by CNB