Spitting Shit || Warriors Rants/Analysis

When a minor becomes of age

We've all screamed about pedophilia in Warriors many times before. We know that pedophilia involves an adult and a minor.

In our human society, when someone becomes an adult, they are eighteen.  (in most countries.) Anyone under the age of eighteen is a minor, meaning that any relationship involving a person over eighteen and a person under is pedophilia in technical terms.

When it comes to Warriors, it is assumed to be the same. Apprentices are minors, and Warriors are adults. It didn't matter whether their warrior ceremony was late, or early. If they were a warrior, they were an adult. Why did we assume this? I don't know. A lot of us learned of pedophilia from Mousedapple, a popular (previous) wattpad user. But recently some people have been talking about it more in terms of age. If a cat is warrior age but still an apprentice and have a relationship with a warrior, then it's okay, it isn't pedophilia.

For example, Crowpaw was due for his warrior ceremony when he left on the journey. He had a relationship with Feathertail while still an apprentice, and it was labeled as pedophilia. However that wouldn't be correct as he should've been a warrior by the time they showed attraction towards each other.

So which one is correct? Is it age or actual status?

There isn't a definite answer to this. Unless the Erin's themselves tell us, it can't be canon or definite. So it's up to us to form our own opinions.

My personal belief is it isn't age, it's status. It doesn't matter if a cat is warrior age and should be a warrior; they're still a minor. How have I come to this conclusion?

The thing is, age in relation to adulthood is a very human concept. In canon Warriors, age doesn't matter much aside from six moons meaning apprenticeship. There is no clear warrior age. For example, Fireheart and Graystripe became warriors very quickly, while others took several books without there being any reason for that to happen. (Lionblaze, Hollyleaf, Jayfeather, Ivypool, and Dovewing for example.) Everyone assumed cats became a warrior at twelve moons, but that has never been specified. While their is an age guideline, it depends on level of training.
The point is, age doesn't seem to matter very much at all in the warriors universe.

However, rank and status does. Warriors are considered mature, while apprentices are not. Status affects the way a cat is treated.
High ranks are universally respected, warriors are respected, depending on who they are, but are always regarded as mature. Apprentices are treated like teenagers - they're expected to be mature but are often treated as if they are not. Kits aren't mature and aren't expected to be. Elders are also respected and are considered wise, and queens are regarded as weak if they remain so permanently, however if it is only a temporary position then they are respected and thought of as useful.

The point is, age determines very little in the Warriors world, and they have little concept of it. While status determines a large portion of your treatment, your maturity and more.

So that's why I consider pedophilia to be a result of status instead of age. This was hopefully quite clear to you; I couldn't quite convey the words I wanted to, and this has been sitting in my drafts for a few months.

So what are your thoughts?