IndexThe objection to the premiseThe response to the objectionThe response to the responseConclusionReferencesI believe that the self-ownership argument for the liberal sexual ethic is flawed, and I will demonstrate this in this essay . The fourth premise is that if adults can do with their bodies what they see fit, as long as what they do does not violate the rights of others, then the consent of all parties involved is sufficient for sex between adults to be permissible, provided that having sex with each other does not violate the rights of others has defects. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The Objection to the Premise To begin with, hundreds of years ago, slavery was legal and common in America. African American slaves did not own their bodies, or if they did in some sense, they were not free to do what they wanted with their bodies. Each individual belonged to their owners, and they had extremely limited control over their bodies. In fact, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, the definition of a slave is “a person who is legally owned by someone else and has no personal freedom.” Sure, slavery was outlawed in America thanks to the Thirteenth Amendment, but regardless, that specific premise wouldn't be valid in the United States until 1865. Plus, slavery is still common in other countries. Secondly, what exactly defines an adult? Why don't children have the right to own their own bodies? And if you're not an adult, then who owns you until you become one? According to the trusty Internet, adulthood is achieved based on several conditions. Some say 18 is considered adulthood because it is the legal voting age and suffrage is tied to adulthood across America. Others say male adulthood is around 26 while female adulthood is around 23, which is simply based on a survey completed by the New York Post, asking at what age they felt they became fully adult. In my opinion, coming of age is based on when you personally are able to take your career, relationships, and life choices seriously. If so, each individual may reach that point in their life at significantly different stages, whether at age 16 or 30. Some grow up in families where they take on roles and responsibilities at a young age, which could mean they become an adult sooner than someone who had a stable, wealthy childhood and had no responsibilities until they turned 18 and left for college . Childhood ends when adulthood begins. Finally, self-ownership represents the unfiltered right to one's life, but according to Murray Rothbard, if others don't own you and you don't own yourself, then no one owns you. If no one owns you, then there is no one to give consent for you, nor can anyone do what they want to your body, because it is no one's body to control. Actions like suicide are not even an option because you would cause damage to property you don't own. Since no one else owns you and you don't own yourself, there is a lack of ownership over your body which leads to a lack of rights over your body. Therefore you and no one else therefore have the right to use your own body, also in the sense that consent between adults for sexual intercourse is permitted. The Response to the Objection Contrary to the above objections to the assumption of self-ownership According to the argument of liberal sexual ethics, adults are capable of owning their own bodies. Legally, an adult is at least 18 years old. Once an individual turns 18,.