Now in my eighth decade, I’m thankfully past the need to navigate these waters.

It’s interesting, however, that the discussion about responsibility for iteratively confirming consent is focused primarily on males. Hidden in that sentiment is the tacit recognition that there are differences between the sexes that transcend individual characteristics. Overall physical strength for example. But any characteristic that affects the balance of power deeply impacts the consent profile. Do females possess any offsetting strengths?

Contract law evolved over the millennia with the goal of maximizing the chance that an agreement between parties is entered into with eyes wide open. But, once executed, there are usually penalties if the parties don’t follow through. If there is no contract, consent is open to interpretation carrying with it all the power dynamics inherent in the relationship. Without relative balance of power consent to agree is never possible.

It’s part of the human condition that we are capable of making decisions that we regret in the fullness of time.