'A subtle and original book that is bound to shake up preconceived ideas of every kind about the origin and nature of age of consent laws. Presenting the reader with a wealth of surprising information, the book challenges us to consider young people as sexual citizens requiring both empowerment and safety.' - Carole S. Vance, Columbia University, USA ... Read more '...well and accessibly written, expertly researched, comprehensive, well argued and structured. This text's subject matters are of considerable current legal, political and sociological concern... An admirable piece of work in every respect.' - David T. Evans, University of Glasgow, UK 'This book is an impressive and invaluable contribution to a controversial debate.' - Professor Jeffrey Weeks, London South Bank University, UK '[This] is a book of real value if you wish to understand the sexual behaviour of young people and the issues behind the law and how they have developed over the years and are still doing so.' - Justice of the Peace 'This work is a very timely and informative addition to the literature on the legal regulation of childhood and lays the foundations for future scholarly inquiry and debate on this controversial topic.' - Dr. Raymond Arthur, Irish Journal of Family Law 'Certainly the legal profession, forensic psychologists and psychiatrists may find this book of interest and it adds useful argument to current controversial debate.' L. F. Lowenstein, The Police Journal '...a welcome addition to a subject area...his [Matthew Waites] investigation is original and his theoretical synthesis is invaluable.' - Carolyn Cocca, H-Net Review 'This book is an incredibly detailed exposition of how children's sexual behaviour has been regarded over time, primarily in the UK, with changes outlined, analysed and critically discussed...Waites's tome comes highly recommended for those with an interest in any of these areas: it is a book from which most of us will learn a great deal.' - Katie Buston, Youth& Policy 'In the final analysis this is an excellent piece of work. Its greatest merit is, perhaps, the way in which the detailed analysis inspires thought on what else might be attempted to solve the problem which Waite identifies and with which it seems hard to disagree.' - Craig Lind, Child and Family Law Quarterly '...is a work of exemplary sociological and legal analysis, which should certainly feature in debates about the development of policy...represents both an expertly conducted analysis of a controversial debate and a work of high quality, accessible scholarship.' - David James Mellor, Gender and Education 'Matthew Waites has produced a splendid book...for anyone interested in age of consent laws - whether lawyer, social worker, politican or children's or gay rights activist - Waites' book now forms an important addition to the existing literature.' - John Murphy, Sexualities Show Less